Medical Conditions

Question 1

Signs and symptoms of Hypoxia

Answer 1

Pale, cold and clammy 
Increase pulse rate 
Increased breathing rate / respiratory distress 
Cyanosis
Anxiety 
Restlessness 
Headaches / dizziness 
Nausea (not vomiting)

Question 2

What does cyanosis indicate?

Answer 2

Need for emergency oxygen

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of asthma

Answer 3

Rapid & distressed breathing 
Feeling like they cannot breathe 
Wheezing 
Use of accessory muscles 
Difficultly speaking 
Coughing 
Cyanosis 
Low SPO2

Question 4

Treatment of Asthma

Answer 4

Sit them upright leaning slightly forward (tripod)
Encourage the use of inhaler (salbutamol)
Spacer
Be calm and reassuring
Call for medical help if severe / worsens
Keep casualty in doors
Be prepared to resuscitate

Question 5

What is hyperventilation

Answer 5

When the patient is breathing more than the body’s requirement

Question 6

Signs and symptoms of hyperventilation

Answer 6

Overuse of upper chest
Unnaturally deep and fast breathing
Feel like they can’t breath
Normal SPO2 ranges

Question 7

What does COPD mean

Answer 7

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease

Question 8

What two conditions are covered under COPD

Answer 8

Emphysema

Chronic bronchitis

Question 9

What is called when COPD worsens and what would we do?

Answer 9

Exacerbation

Call for medical assistance

Question 10

What does RVP stand for during a breathing assessment?

Answer 10

Rate of breath
Volume of O2
Put on oxygen 100% @ 15L per min

Question 11

What is it called when one or more ribs are broken in two or more places?

Answer 11

Flail chest

Question 12

What type of breathing does a patient with flail chest have?

Answer 12

Paradoxical

Question 13

How would you treat a sucking chest wound?

Answer 13

Using a non-occlusive chest seal (leave the wound if you don’t have one

Question 14

What is anaphylaxis?

Answer 14

Extremely dangerous allergic reaction. It is caused by a massive over reaction of the body’s immune system

Question 15

What is the name of the excess chemical they body releases that causes anaphylaxis?

Answer 15

Histamine

Question 16

What are the three main characteristics of anaphylaxis?

Answer 16

Rapid onset
Life threatening airway, breathing, or circulation problems or a combination of all
Skin rash, flushing and or swelling

Question 17

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis

Answer 17

Swelling of the tongue, lips or throat 
Difficulty swallowing 
Rapid shallow breath 
Wheeze 
Low SPO2
Rapid pulse 
Skin May appear flushed initially but will go paler as blood pressure drops 
Nausea 
Dizziness

Question 18

What is diabetes?

Answer 18

A condition suffered by a person who does not produce enough insulin

Question 19

Signs and symptoms of hyperglycaemia?

Answer 19

Slow onset 
Dry and warm skin 
Rapid pulse 
Excessive urination 
Thirsty 
Hunger 
Fruity smell on the breath

Question 20

Signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia?

Answer 20

Rapid onset
Rapid pulse 
Pale cold and sweaty 
Shallow and rapid breaths 
Can be confused with drunkenness

Question 21

Treatment for hypoglycaemia

Answer 21

SCABCDE
Give a sugary drink, sweet food. Help them with their own glucose gel (if they have it)
Stay with them until fully recovered
Consider if there is another course for the casualty’s symptoms

Question 22

Treatment for hyperglycaemia

Answer 22

SCABCDE

Arrange for the casualty to see a doctor asap

Question 23

What is a seizure?

Answer 23

A sudden temporary burst of excess electrical activity in the brain

Question 24

How is epilepsy defined

Answer 24

As a tendency to have frequent recurrent seizures

Question 25

How would you treat a seizure

Answer 25

Remove dangerous objects and gently protect the head
Time the seizure
Do it restrain or out anything in the mouth
Roll casualty in the side of concerned about airway

Question 26

During a seizure what would you do if it lasts more than 3 mins?

Answer 26

Get medical help

Question 27

What would you do once the seizure ends?

Answer 27

Check the airway & breathing and resuscitate if needed

Question 28

What are the RED FLAG early warning signs of meningitis and other symptoms?

Answer 28

Cold hands and feet 
Pain in limbs or joints 
Abnormal skin colour (pallor or mottling) 
Other signs 
Fever vomiting
Rash that doesn’t fade 
Drowsiness 
Headache 
Stiff neck 
Sensitive to light

Question 29

Treatment of meningitis

Answer 29

Treat for shock
O2 @ 100% 15L
Seek medical help immediately

Question 30

What is meningitis

Answer 30

An infection of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord

Question 31

What is sepsis

Answer 31

Sepsis is the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury

Question 32

Can any infection turn into sepsis?

Answer 32

Yes

Question 33

Treatment of sepsis

Answer 33

100% oxygen @ 15L per min
Call for medical help
Immediate ambulance

Question 34

What are the two types of stroke?

Answer 34

Blood clot (ischemic) 
Vessel rupture (hemorrhagic)

Question 35

What does FAST stand for?

Answer 35

Face
Arms
Speech
Time

Question 36

Treatment for stroke??

Answer 36

SCABCDE 
Maintain airway 
Medical help immediately 
Recovery position 
Lay them down with head / shoulders raised 
Reassure monitor

Question 37

What kind of pulse would you be presented with during angina / heart attack

Answer 37

Variable - often becomes irregular, misses a bit

Question 38

How long might an angina attack last

Answer 38

3-8 mins rarely longer

Question 39

Treatment for angina / heart attack?

Answer 39

SCABCDE
Sit the casualty down and make them comfortable
Allow casualty to take GTN
If heart attack suspected and casualty not allergic to aspirin allow casualty to chew preferably 300g dose