Medical emergencies Flashcards
What is the pneumonic for medical emergencies medication?
AAGGMOOS
A - adrenaline
A - aspirin
G - glucagon
G - GTN spray
M - Midazolam
O - oral glucose
O - oxygen
S - salbutamol
Signs of Angina?
Increased breathing rate
SOB
Central chest pain
Pale and clammy
may be slightly tachycardic due to anxiety
What is stable vs unstable angina?
Stable - chest pain on exertion and relieved by rest
Unstable - spontaneous chest pain with no trigger. May not be relieved by rest.
Narrowing/ occlusion of blood vessel generally caused by atherosclerosis reducing blood flow to the heart
Treatment for angina/ myocardial infarction?
Stable - relieved by rest
Oxygen 100% oxygen 15l
GTN spray 2 sublingual actuations - repeat after 3 mins if chest pain remains
If patient does not respond to GTN likely MI - call for ambulance
Aspirin 300mg chewed
Continually re-assess using ABCDE method
Signs of anaphylaxis?
Flushed face
Marked upper airway oedema - stridor and wheezing
Tachycardia >110bpm
Increased breathing rate
Lips may take on blue tinge
Management of anaphylaxis?
Call ambulance
Lay patient flat and raise their feet
Remove source of anaphylaxis if known
Oxygen 15l flow rate
Adrenaline 0.5ml 1:1000 IM injection - repeat after 5 mins in opposite leg if necessary
Key signs of an acute asthma attack?
Inability to complete sentences in one breath - SOB
Respiratory rate >25 breaths/min
Tachycardia >110bpm
Key signs of life-threatening asthma?
Cyanosis or resp rate <8bpm
Bradycardia <50bpm
Exhaustion
Confusion
Decreased consciousness
Management of an asthma attack?
Transfer life-threatening asthma attack to hospital - emergency
Oxygen 15l
Administer patient’s own bronchodilator 2 puffs
OR
Salbutamol inhaler 4 puffs 100 micrograms via spacer
Key signs and symptoms of epilepsy?
Brief warning or AURA
Sudden loss of consciousness
Pt. may become rigid/ fall/ cry
Jerking movements of the limbs the tongue might be bitten
Management of epilepsy?
Assess patient
Do not try to restrain convulsive movements
Ensure pt. not at risk from injury
Secure pt. airway
Oxygen 15l
midazolam 10mg (2ml oromucosal solution) - only give if CONVULSIVE seizures last longer than 5 mins
If first episode of epilepsy call for ambulance
Signs and symptoms of a faint?
Patient feels dizzy/ light-headed
Slow pulse rate
Loss of consciousness
Pallor
Nausea/ vomiting
Why does a faint/ vasovagal episode occur?
Sudden drop in blood pressure
Faint management?
Assess pt.
Lay patient flat and if patient is not breathless raise the patient’s feet
Oxygen 15l
Management of faint pregnant pt.?
Roll them on left side and bring left knee up to chest
Oxygen 15l
Signs of hypoglycaemia?
Aggression and confusion
Sweating
Tachycardia >110bpm
Symtpoms of hypoglycaemia?
Shaking and trembling
Difficulty in concentration
Slurring of speech
Headache
Pallor
Tingly fingertipd
Dizzy
Irritable
Confused
Unconsciousness
Management of hypoglycaemic attack?
Assess pt.
Oxygen 15l
IF PT. CONSCIOUS AND CO-OPERATIVE
Oral glucose 10-20g
Repeat after 10-15 minutes if necessary
IF PT. UNCONSCIOUS/ UN-CO-OPERATIVE
Administer glucagon 1mg IM injection
+ oral glucose when regain consciousness
What is weight cut-off for glucagon and subsequent dose?
If less than 25kg 0.5mg glucagon
Signs of stroke and management
FACE
F - facial weakness, drooping of one side
A - arm weakness
C - Communication issues - slurred speech
CALL AMBULANCE +/- OXYGEN 15L
Tx. for aspiration?
Assess pt.
Encourage pt. to cough vigorously
Oxygen 15l
Salbutamol inhaler 4 puffs via spacer
What does ROSC acronym stand for?
Return of spontaneous circulation
What is HME?
Humidifying moisture exchange for bag valve mask
Humidifies air and increases resistance to gas flow and makes breathing easier
What are the 2 shockable rhythms?
Ventricular fibrillation
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
