Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What is the definition of conscious?
Being aware of surroundings and reacting to these
What is the definition of unconscious?
Not alert and not responding to verbal and physical stimuli
What are the causes of unconsciousness? (FISH SHAPED)
Faint, infections, shock, head injury, stoke, heart attack, asphyxia, poisons, epilepsy and diabetes
There are different levels of consciousness, what are these? (ACVPU)
Alert - the person is alert and may be able to answer normally
Confusion - the casualty may be confused and not thinking clearly
Verbal - can they be roused by asking a question or command
Pain - cn be roused with a gentle shake or tap
Unresponsiveness - cannot be roused at all
What is the primary survey done for?
Establish if the casualty is unconscious but breathing
What is the secondary survey done for?
To check the casualty to assess if they have any injuries
Why should you put someone in the recovery position?
It maintains they airways
If the casualty is breathing but unconscious, what should you do?
Place them in the recovery position and monitor them and their breathing every 10 minutes
What is asphyxia?
Low levels of oxygen in the blood supplied to the cells
What are the signs and symptoms of asphyxia?
Wheezing, coughing, cyanosis, panic
What would you do if you come across a conscious choking patient?
Encourage them to cough
5 back blows
5 abdominal thrusts
Repeat this 3 times before calling for an ambulance
When should you not perform abdominal thrusts?
Pregnant women, obese patients, babies
What is an anaphylactic shock?
Sever allergic reaction
Signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock
Rapid swelling of the face, hands or feet, rash, collapse. feeling faint
What do you do if someone is in anaphylactic shock?
call 999, administer adrenaline, give oxygen and potentially perform CPR
How does a seizure occur?
The brains wave pattern is interrupted causing uncontrollably moments of confusion
What is a tonic-clonic?
A large/major seizure
What is an absent seizure?
Small or minor seizure
Signs and symptoms of a tonic clonic seizure
Possible auro beforehand, convulsions, sickness
What should you do if someone is having a seizure?
Move any harmful objects away and clear the room for their dignity, don’t force anything into their mouth or restrain them
What do you administer for a seizure?
buccal midazolam if the patient has not had a seizure before, if it has been over 5 minutes or they are repeated seizures
What is angina?
When blood vessels providing the heart begin to narrow
Signs and symptoms of angina
Clutching at the chest, irregular pulse, pale and clammy
What should you administer for angina?
GTN spray sublingually, oxygen
If the casualty does not recover, administer aspirin and call 999
What is a myocardial infarction?
A heart attack - when the blood vessels providing the heart are partially or fully blocked
Signs and symptoms of a myocardial infarction
Cyanosis, greying pallor, sever pain and no relief from GTN
What should you do if some is having a myocardial infarction?
Give GTN spray, administer aspirin, call 999, prepare for CPR if needed
What is a cardiac arrest?
The heart has stopped
Signs and symptoms of a cardiac arrest
No pulse, unconsciousness, collapse
What should you do if someone is having a cardiac arrest?
Call 999 and begin CPR
What is hypoglycaemia?
Low blood sugar levels
What should you do if someone is has hypoglycaemia?
Give them glucogel or tablet if they are conscious. If they are unconscious, administer glucagon injection and call 999 if no recovery
Signs and symptoms of a syncope
Pale and clammy skin, loss of consciousness, collapse, nausea
What should you do if someone faints?
Give them glucogel or tablet if they are conscious, raise feet higher than the head and ventilate the area. If they are unconscious, glucose should be administered through an injection
Signs and symptoms of clinical shock
Pale, clammy skin, nausea, confusion, collapse
What should you do if someone has gone into clinical shock?
Do not leave the casualty alone, call 999, do not let them eat or drink
How do you put someone into the recovery position?
Move the arm closest out at a right angle and bend at elbow
Place the back of their other hand against the cheek closest
Pull the furthest leg upward so the foot is on the ground
Roll the patient towards you
Tilt head up to ensure the airway is open
