Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What is the physiology of a faint?
Temporary malfunction of the autonomic nervous system
-> decrease in blood returning to the heart
-> drop in blood pressure occurs
-> Brain acts abnormally and causes a further blood pressure drop and slows heart rate
-> Temporary reduction of blood to the brain
Patient feels hot but becomes cold and sweaty, pale, loses consciousness and may vomit.
How is a faint managed?
Stop treatment
Assess ABCDE
Lie patient back and raise legs for 5 mins
-> remove restrictive clothing and open window
Give oxygen
If no recovery- phone ambulance
What medicines are in the medical emergency kit, in what quantities and what are their uses?
Oxygen- 15L/min
-> Given to all patients
Aspirin- 300mg
-> MI
GTN- 400mcg
-> angina
Adrenaline- 1mg 1:1000 (give 0.5mg)
-> Anaphylaxis
Midazolam- 10mg
-> Seizure
Glucagon- 1mg
-> hypoglycaemia
Salbutamol- 100mcg per puff
-> asthma attack
What us the physiology of postural hypertension?
It occurs when there is a failure of the autoregulatory systems which normally maintain the blood pressure on standing. Blood pools in legs → poor venous return → fall in cardiac output → reduce BP
What are reasons that could cause patient to collapse?
Faint
MI
Hypoglycaemia
Stroke
Epilepsy
How can postural hypotension be prevented?
Sit chair up gradually- encourage patient to take their time and take deep breaths
How is ABC assessed?
Airway- talking, jaw thrust to check for obstruction
Breathing- look at chest moving, listen for noises, assess rhythm/depth
Circulation- check pulse, check capillary refill time (2secs), check limb temp and colour
What are the parts of ABCDE?
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Disability
- Exposure
What are the risk factors for postural hypotension in elderly?
Low BP
Rate of activity or movement
