General Medical Emergencies Flashcards
Types of hemophilia that only men have
Hemophilia A (factor VIII) (most common)
Hemophilia B (fact IX)
Type of hemophilia that both men and women can have
Von Willebrand (common)
What common medications do patients with hemophilia have to avoid? (2)
Aspirin + NSAIDs
If a hemophiliac has decreased LOC following a head injury, what must you obtain immediately?
Head CT
What is the treatment for hemophiliacs following a traumatic injury of any kind?
-replace clotting factor
-administer cryo of FFP
-ice, compression, elevation, immobilization
What is the treatment for lacerations in a hemophiliac?
-replace clotting factor
-topical thrombin
-observation for 4 hours post suturing
How long do you need to hold pressure on a hemophiliac following IV insertion or phleb draw?
5 minutes manual pressure
What are some common causes of DIC?
sepsis, trauma, pancreatitis, HELLP in OB
S/s of DIC
bruising, petechia, purpura, hematuria, excessive bleeding, end-organ failure
Dx of DIC (4)
-low hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, fibrinogen
-prologed coags
Tx of DIC
-treat underlying cause
-control bleeding
-antifibrinolytic agents (Amicar + TXA)
-Transfuse platelets, FFP
Causes of anemia
-blood loss
-low iron
-low vitamin B12
-low folic acid
Tx for anemia
-stop blood loss
-oral iron replacement
-replace vitamin B12
Side effects of oral iron replacement
-dark stools
-constipation
What is polycythemia?
Excessive red blood cells
What is secondary polycythemia?
increased RBC d/t high altitude or hypoxia seen in COPD
Tx for polycythemia vera
phleb to remove whole blood and infuse saline
-chemotherapy to decrease blood cell production
What is polycythemia vera?
Overactive bone marrow which results in a hematocrit over 55% and results in crease in RBC, WBC, and platelets
What organs are potentially enlarged in polycythemia vera?
Spleen + liver
What is sickle cell disease?
congenital hemolytic anemia causes sickilg of RBCs
What is treatment for sickle cell anemia? How does it work?
Hydroxyurea | Works by decreasing sickling + producing more hemoglobin
What should acute chest syndrome be triaged as?
ESI 2
What is acute chest syndrome?
Chest pain and dyspnea, high mortality rate
Why do sickle cell patients often have abdominal pain when in crisis?
Sequestration of cell in the spleen
What is the most common s/s of vaso-occlusive crisis?
Priaprism
What are common triggers for sickle cell disease?
-low 02 saturation
-infection
-dehydration
-exposure to cold
What kind of ischemia is seen in acute chest syndrome?
Cardiac
Splenic ischemia in sickle cell crisis increases….
risk of infection
Main s/s of sickle cell disease
Excruciating, sudden, exposive pain in abdomen, chest, back, and joints
Dx of sickle cell anemia
CBC to detect infection, dehydration, reticuloyte count
Tx for sickle cell crisis
-high flow 02
-IVF for rehydration
-antibiotics for infection
-opioids for pain
-early stem cell transplantation is goal
