Management of medical conditions Flashcards
Identify when someone is having a heart attack
People can have just one symptom or a combination of symptoms.* Not all patients feel chest discomfort (more than 40% of women do not experience chest pain*). The patient can also feel: • short of breath • nauseous • faint or dizzy • a cold sweat, discomfort in the middle of the chest, possible pain in arm and neck, irregular pulse, shortness of breath, shock.
Identify when someone is having a stroke and how to respond
Slurred speech, blurred vision pupils may be irregular in size, loss of movement, possible seizures, possible loss of consciousness
Follow DRSABCD. Call triple zero, reassure the patient, the patient may not be able to clearly communicate, which may cause them extreme anxiety, help the patient to sit or lie down in a comfortable position, and support the patient’s head and shoulders on pillows.
Difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia?
Hyperglycemia is when someone has high blood sugar level while hypoglycemia will have low blood sugar levels.
How to treat hyperglycemia?
If the patient has medication, ask if they need assistance administering it. Only help the patient if they request it.
How to treat hypoglycemia?
Give the patient sugar, such as fruit juice or a soft drink (NOT ‘diet’ eg Coke Zero, Pepsi Max), sugar, jellybeans, glucose tablets, continue giving sugar every 15 minutes until the patient recovers, follow with carbohydrates, eg a sandwich, milk, fresh or dry fruit, or dry biscuits and cheese, if patient becomes unconscious seek medical attention immediately.
Identify when someone is having a seizure and how to respond
Some seizures may go unnoticed, rigid body, tightened jaw, some mouth frothing, possible loss of bladder control, loss of consciousness
During a seizure protect the patient from injury by removing any objects that could cause injury. Protect the patient’s head by place something soft under their head and shoulders, DRSABCD, time the seizure, roll patient to side, remove objects from face such as glasses, do not give them water, do not restrain them
Identify when someone is having an asthma attack
When they have tightness in chest, sweating and paleness, fast, shallow breathing, hunched body posture, excessive throat clearing, laboured breathing, difficulty in exhalation, increase in pulse rate, wheezing noises.
How to tell if someone has been poisoned?
If they are feeling and being sick, diarrhoea, stomach pain, drowsiness, dizziness or weakness, high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above, chills (shivering), loss of appetite, headache, irritability, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), breathing difficulties, producing more saliva than normal, skin rash, blue lips and skin (cyanosis), burns around the nose or mouth, double vision or blurred vision, mental confusion, seizures (fits), loss of consciousness, coma, in severe cases
How to treat someone who has been poisoned?
If you suspect someone has been poisoned seriously and they are still conscious, ask them to sit still and stay with them until medical care arrives. If they’ve been poisoned by whatever they’ve swallowed, get them to spit up whatever’s left in their mouth. If a poisonous chemical has been splattered on their skin or clothing, they should seek medical attention immediately, remove any contaminated items and wash the affected area thoroughly with warm or cool water. Be careful not to contaminate yourself in the process.
How to tell if someone has a heat stroke?
High body temperature, altered mental state or behavior, alteration in sweating, nausea and vomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing, racing heart rate, headache
How to treat someone who is experiencing a heat stroke?
Immerse the patient in cold water, use evaporation cooling techniques, pack you with ice and cooling blankets, give yourself medications to stop your shivering.
How to tell if someone is experiencing hypothermia?
Shivering, slurred speech or mumbling, slow, shallow breathing, weak pulse, clumsiness or lack of coordination, drowsiness or very low energy, confusion or memory loss, loss of consciousness, bright red, cold skin (in infants)
How to treat someone who is experiencing hypothermia?
Be gentle, Move the person out of the cold
Remove wet clothing, Cover the person with blankets, Insulate the person’s body from the cold ground, Monitor breathing, Provide warm beverages, Use warm, dry compresses, Don’t apply direct heat.
How to treat someone who is having a heart attack?
It is advised NOT to drive the patient to the hospital yourself, as you may need to perform CPR, DRSABCD, seek medical attention immediately, stay with the patient until medical aid arrives.
How to treat someone having an asthma attack?
4:4:4: Give 4 separate puffs of blue/grey reliever puffer: • shake the inhaler • give 1 puff • take 4 breaths • repeat until 4 puffs have been given. Wait 4 minutes, if there is no improvement, give 4 more separate puffs of blue/grey reliever as above.
