Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What are the minimum requirements for the emergency drug box?
- GTN spray
- salbutamol inhaler
- adrenaline
- aspirin
- glucagon
- oral glucose solution (glucogel)
- midazolam
- oxygen
What does the acronym DRS ABCDE mean?
Danger Response Shout for help Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
What is GTN used for?
Angina
What is salbutamol used for?
Asthma
What is adrenaline used for?
Anaphylactic shock
What is aspirin used for?
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
What is glucagon injection used for?
Hypoglycaemic attack
What is midazolam used for?
Epileptic fit
What are the signs and symptoms of angina?
Signs • holding chest • difficulty breathing • pale • sweaty
Symptoms
• history of exertion
• pain in chest
• breathlesss
What are the signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction / heart attack?
Signs • patient holds chest • grey pallor • sweating • vomiting • may lose consciousness
Symptoms
• crushing chest pain
• may radiate to neck and jaw
• feels sick
What are signs and symptoms of tonic clonic seizures?
Signs • loss of consciousness and rigid body • jerking • froth of mouth, bite tongue • lose bladder control • slow recovery • tired and drowsy
Symptoms
• may warn of attack
• aura - visual disturbance, funny taste
What are signs and symptoms of epileptic vacancies?
Signs
• loss of consciousness- maybe momentarily
• sudden loss of awareness
Symptoms
• feels lost when they come around
• no memory of episode
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?
Signs - what we see is happening to the patient
Symptoms - what the patient feels
What are the signs and symptoms of fainting?
Signs • pallor • sweaty, clammy • incoherent • slow, weak pulse • loss of consciousness
Symptoms
• hot, sweaty
• complain of dizziness
• feels weak and sick
What are the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack?
- wheezing
- difficulty breathing
- low blood saturation’s
What are the signs and symptoms of a hypoglycaemic attack?
Signs • anxious • agitated • aggressive • drowsy • unconscious • rapid pulse • sweating
Symptoms
• weak and unsteady
• trembling
What are the signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock?
Signs • change in colour • difficulty breathing • wheezing • facial swelling • rash • agitated • weak pulse and rapid • fall in blood pressure • unconscious
Symptoms • difficulty breathing and speaking • throat closing • facial swelling • rash
What are the signs and symptoms on cardiac arrest?
- loss of consciousness
* no signs of life
What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
Signs • loss of consciousness • limp in arm or leg • face may drop of one side • affects speech
Symptoms • severe headache • weakness in one arm or leg • un co-ordinated • can’t speak properly • sudden confusion
What treatment is provided to a patient who is choking?
- Ask patient to cough
- 5 back blowS
- 5 abdominal thrusts
- If both do not work - call 999 and continue until help arrives
- If patient unconscious and stops breathing - call 999
What is the treatment for anaphylaxis?
Call for help Place patient in comfortable position Oxygen as needed Administer adrenaline No improvement - call 999
What is treatment for cardiac arrest?
Call 999 - unresponsive and non breathing
CPR - compressions 30:2
Attach defibrillator
What is the treatment for a patient that faints?
Raise feet
Loosen tight clothing
Reassure patient
Should regain consciousness quickly
What is the treatment for an asthma attack?
Do not lay flat Sit upright and sit near a window, encourage to relax Give patient salbutamol inhaler Give oxygen if needed If unresponsive call 999
What is treatment for hypoglycaemic attack?
Conscious
• oral administration of glucose - fizzy drink, sugary food, glycogen
• postpone treatment until fully recovered
Unconscious • get help • place into recovery position • rub glucose solution onto oral mucosa • glucogen IM
What is the treatment for angina?
Spray GTN or tablet under tongue
Sit patient upright and rest
Oxygen if needed
If GTN does not relieve symptoms then call for help
What is the treatment for myocardial infarction?
Call for help
‘MONA’ = monitor, oxygen, nItrates (GTN), aspirin
CPR if needed
What is the treatment for a seizure ?
Make area safe Do not restrain or place anything near mouth Place into recovery position Let them sleep Oxygen if needed If exceeds 5 minutes call help Be aware of status epilepticus Midazolam by appropriate staff
