Intro Flashcards
numerical pt rating severity scale
1-5, 1 most severe(Chest pain/SOB/CVA) to 5 (well check)
fast track is used for….
4 or 5s
urgent care/ nonemergent situations
the main is used for….
3s and above
what do you do in an initial assessment during an emergency?
Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure and environment CABDE for a patient in cardiac arrest.
what do you do if a pt has no pulse?
weak pulse?
CPR!
no CPR
if speaking and airway is clear you can start with
nasal canula
If that doesn’t bring it up enough then you can use a non-rebreather, then bipap can be used, then intubation
when should you intubate?
- if there is any doubt about the patient’s ability to maintain airway
- Loss of gag/cough reflex e.g. head injury with GCS <8 (to prevent massive aspiration)
best option for a bleed?
- direct pressure
- last option is tourniquet
Glasgow Coma Scale
- Eye opening response
- best verbal response
- best motor response
eye opening response score
4-opens spontaneously
3-to speech
2-to pain
1-no response
verbal response score
5-oriented to time, place, and person 4-confused 3-inappropriate words 2-incomprehensible sounds 1-no response
motor response score
6-obeys commands 5-moves to localized pain 4-flexion withdrawal from pain 3-abnormal flexion (decorticate) 2-abnormal extension (decerebrate) 1-no response
you can easily order a VBG, but when would you consider an ABG?
Inability to obtain venous sample
Inability to utilize pulse oximeter
when can you send a pt home?
once you rule out an emergency
what tests should you order for any cardiac/respiratory complaint?
O2 sat and EKG
what is important to order asap for pregnant pts?
fetal heart monitor
what are some red flags or reasons to keep a pt?
Abnormal vital signs AMS Young and elderly Failure to improve Significant health problems Potential or known immune compromise asplenic, diabetes, HIV, IVDA, chemo Known trauma/multiple injury
what is your main goal as an emed provider?
stabilize the pt
most important part of discahrging a pt?
ALWAYS WRITE DOWN SYMPTOMS THAT SHOULD MAKE A PATIENT RETURN TO THE ER IMMEDIATELY.
what is shock?
an emergency in which the organs and tissues of the body are not receiving an adequate flow of blood. This deprives the organs and tissues of oxygen (carried in the blood) and allows the buildup of waste products.
first sign of shock? (stage 1)
tachycardia
what happens in stage 2 of shock?
hypotensive, AMS
what happens in stage 3 of shock?
end organ damage, no urinary output from kidney failure
types of hypovolemic shock
Hemorrhage (injury?)
Third spacing(severe burns)
dehydration