Medical Emergencies Flashcards
Danger!
Protect yourself and others.
Treat the greatest threat to life first.
Intervene when it is life-threatening.
Response!
Talk to the casualty.
Touch or shake when necessary.
Identify yourself.
Ask the casualty for their name.
Ask them what happened.
What does an appropriate response tell you?
The airway is open.
Speech is allowed, the brain is functioning.
Assess potential injuries.
Shout!
C?
Catastrophic haemorrhage.
Airway!
Check for obstructions.
Clear airway if possible.
Breathing!
Ask them for problems breathing.
Assess resp rate.
Look for unequal movements of the chest.
Listen for clear sounds of breathing difficulty.
Check if they are breathing (10s).
If they are not breathing?
Call emergency services. Start CPR.
If they are breathing?
Call emergency services. Give information.
Sit the casualty down and lean them forward.
Give resp meds if necessary.
Circulation?
Feel pulse (Is it there? How fast is it?).
Assess cap refill.
Check for injuries that could cause blood loss.
Encourage the patient to lie down (esp if they feel dizzy).
Put pressure on bleeding points.
Disability!
Consciousness?
Alert, Voice, Confused, Pain, Unresponsive.
Assess other problems.
Causes of the incident?
Mechanisms of injury - the type of accident determine the type of damage that occurs.
Note the difference in movement between the two sides of the body.
Communication?
Situation
Background
Assessment
Request
Decide
Describe the recovery position.
Hand on ear, hand on cheek.
Bend the knee and roll forward by shoulder and hip.
Check for pockets (head to toe).
Check for fractures and injuries.
How can you minimise infection risks?
Wash hands.
Wear gloves / mask.
Cover wounds.
Describe legal issues with medical emergencies.
How can a medic alert bracelet help?
Do not work beyond your own competence.
Has vital information to help diagnosis and treatment.
