Lab Values Flashcards
What do you do when you are acting in an emergency situation?
ID yourself to victim; inform victim of your training that certifies that you are a health care provider. Obtain permission to treat if patient is able; if not, proceed with treatment. Inform witnesses of your training/certification; instruct them as what to do.
When an emergency happens…
1) Respond quickly and calmly; be assertive and directive as needed
2) Obtain assistance from the most qualified individual available
3) Alert response team before starting care
4) After providing care: Document!!
5) Notify your superior/Risk Management . . .and insurance carrier
6) Avoid conferring with family members or witnesses
What are the signs/symptoms of a mild to moderate allergic reaction?
itchy skin skin redness, rash, areas of swelling itchy, watery eyes sneezing hives at several body sites
What are the signs/symptoms of a severe allergic reaction?
swelling of the face, mouth or tongue difficulty swallowing, speaking wheezing, difficulty breathing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting dizziness or syncope
When does anaphylaxis occur?
when two or more body systems are affected by an allergen
What are adverse reaction to medications?
nausea muscle ache vomiting visual disturbance drowsiness abdominal discomfort intestinal cramping diarrhea headache
How do you know if there is too much bleeding of a wound?
cannot control bleeding
patient becomes pale, loses breath
What are the signs and symptoms of shock?
pale, moist, cool skin shallow, irregular breathing dilated pupils weak, rapid pulse sweating dizziness or nausea syncope
How is shock treated?
- remove cause of shock is possible
- monitor vital signs
- position patient supine with head lower than extremities (unless breathing is labored)
- cool compress on head
- light blanket to avoid loss of body heat
- remain quiet/avoid exertion
What causes orthostatic hypertension?
decreased venous return from extremities to left ventricle of the heart=decreased cardiac output; in turn creates decreased cerebral perfusion=dizziness and possible syncope
How is orthostatic hypertension prevented and treated?
avoid prolonged sitting if possible
Instruct person in ankle pumps, quad sets, glut sets (to encourage venous return) prior to standing
Allow person to accommodate to upright position slowly
What are the signs of heat exhaustion?
profuse diaphoresis nausea headache shallow rapid breathing weak, rapid pulse pale color temperature normal or slightly elevated acting exhausted or collapse unconscious pupils normal
What are the signs of heat stroke?
no diaphoresis nausea headache labored breathing strong, rapid pulse flushed or gray color temperature very elevated (106-110 F) acting exhausted or collapse unconscious pupils contract, then dilate
How are heat related illnesses treated?
place in position of comfort
cool then quickly (ice on large blood vessels: wrists, feet, ankle, groin, axillae, lateral neck areas)
Observe the patient for shock or other physiologic changes; monitor vitals
Patient should be transported to care facility for proper recovery and monitoring
What are the warning signs of hypoglycemia?
sudden onset pale and moist skin excited, agitated normal breath odor breathing normal to shallow no vomiting moist tongue hunger not thirsty no /slight glucose in urine
What are the warning signs of hyperglycemia?
gradual onset flushed, dry skin drowsy fruity breath odor deep, labored breathing vomiting tongue dry not hungry thirsty large amounts of glucose in urine
How is hypoglycemia treated?
ingest some form of sugar that patient best tolerates
How is hyperglycemia treated?
medical emergency: patient needs injection
When does autonomic hyperreflexia (dysreflexia) occur?
patient w/recent spinal cord injuries (Ct to T6)
Noxious stimuli cause a massive sympathetic response with no higher level regulatory mechanism in check, due to cord injury
parasympathetic response goes unregulated
What is a Level 1 trauma?
neurosurgeon in house 24/7
What was the nation’s first hospital?
Pennsylvania Hospital in 1751
What caused an increase in acute care facilities?
development of Medicare in 1964
What is medication reconciliation?
checking to see if the patient is getting what they are supposed to be getting
What considerations should be made when treating in an acute care setting versus outpatient?
- shorter treatment session
- fewer repetition
- less demand for active participation
What are the treatment goals in an acute setting versus outpatient?
- prevent/minimize adverse effects of immobility/inactivity
- prevents contractures
- improve general conditioning, bed mobility, respiration, prevent pressure ulcers
What is critical illness polyneuropathy?
distal extremity weakness, muscle wasting, sensory loss, decreased or absent DTRs
What is critical illness myopathy?
muscle weakness affects large, proximal muscles; steroid induced
What are substance abuse withdrawal symptom?
increased BP, tachycardia, agitation, sweating, SOB, nausea, tremor
What are abnormal, undesired or expected responses?
- changes in vital signs
- changed in breathing pattern
- indication of increased pain
- reduced mental awareness or alterness
SaO2 or O2
percentage of oxygen carried by hemoglobin
minimum of 90%
pH levels
normal: 7.35 to 7.45
What happens if blood is acidic?
the force of cardiac contractions diminish
What happens if blood is alkaline?
neuromuscular function becomes impaired =coordination
What levels of blood pH are fatal?
below 6.8 or
above 7.8
