Intro To First Aid Flashcards
What are the three classifications of emergencies?
- Life threatening emergency - requires immediate action. E.g., serious haemorrhage, poisoning, RTA, gastric dilation & torsion, dyspnoea.
- Immediate emergency - requiring immediate attention but not life threatening. E.g., conscious collapse, fracture & dislocation, dystocia, gaping wounds.
- Minor emergency - phone advice can help alleviate suffering until able to be seen. E.g., polydipsia, minor wounds, mild vomiting/diarrhoea.
What does an ambulatory patient mean?
An animal that can rise to its feet & walk, even if limping.
Able to move themselves.
What does a non-ambulatory patient mean?
Animal unable to stand or walk, even with assistance.
Requires carrying.
What is triage?
Process of rapid elimination & classification of emergency patients based on severity of injuries & the urgency with which treatment is required.
What are the three major body systems?
Cardiovascular
Respiratory
Neurological
What parameters should be recorded in first assessment?
HR & pulse quality
MM colour & CRT
RR & respiratory effort
Gait
Mentation
Temperature
When assessing the cardiovascular system, what parameters should you check?
Heart rate
Pulse quality
MM colour
CRT
What is the normal capillary refill time?
1-2 seconds
What does pale MM suggest?
Anaemia/hypovolaemic shock
What does red MM suggest?
Disruptive shock, sepsis
What does Cyanotic MM suggest?
Severe hypoxia
What does jaundice MM suggest?
Liver disease/or haemolytic anaemia.
What does cherry red MM suggest?
Carbon monoxide poisoning
What does brown MM suggest?
Paracetamol poisoning
What are the normal heart rate parameters for cats & dogs?
Cat = 110-180bpm
Dog = 70-140bpm
Define tachycardia
Increase in heart/pulse rate.
Term used to describe an increased heart rate?
Tachycardia
Define bradycardia
Decrease in heart/pulse rate.
Term used to describe decreased heart rate?
Bradycardia
What are the normal respiratory rates for a cat & dog?
Cat = 20-30bpm
Dog = 10-30bpm
Define tachypnoea
Increased respiratory rate.
Term used to describe increased respiratory rate?
Tachypnoea
Define bradypnoea
Decreased respiratory rate.
Term used to describe decreased respiratory rate?
Bradypnoeia
Define dyspnoea
Difficulty in breathing.
What two things are assessed for the nervous system?
Mentation and gait.
What does paresis mean?
Weakness
What does plegia mean?
Paralysis.
What does quadriplegia/tetraplegia mean?
Paralysis of all four limbs.
What does paraplegia mean?
Paralysis of any two limbs.
What does hemiplegia mean?
Paralysis of one side of the body.
What does hypermetria mean?
Exaggerated limb movements.
Normal temperature for a dog?
38.3 - 38.7 degrees
Normal temperature for a cat?
38 - 38.5 degrees
Normal temperature for a rabbit?
38.5 - 40 degrees
