Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What medication is used for the treatment of hypoglycaemia?
Glucagon
How does glucagon work?
Increases the concentration of glucose in the blood by promoting gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis to convert glycogen to glucose
What are the signs of hypoglycaemia?
Pale, shaky, sweaty, clammy, dizzy, hungry confusion, blurred vision, loss of consciousness
What would you do for a conscious and an unconscious patient suffering from hypoglycaemia?
If conscious - administer oral glucose 10-20g or sugary drink
If unconscious - 1mg IM glucagon injection and oral glucose when regain consciousness
What is the medication used to treat epilepsy?
Midazolam
How does midazolam work?
Short-acting benzodiazepine- enhances the effect of neurotransmitter GABA on the GABA receptors resulting in neural inhibition
What are the signs of epilepsy?
Loss of consciousness, uncontrollable muscle spasms, drooling, tonic (falling rigid), clonic (sharp jerky movements), hypotension, hypoxia, loss of airway tone
When would you give midazolam for a patient with an epileptic seizure?
If the fit is repeated or prolonged (>5mins) give midazolam 2ml oromucosal solution
5mg/ml topically into buccal cavity, repeat after 5 mins if not worked
What drugs are in medical emergencies bag?
Oxygen
Salbutamol
Midazolam
GTN Spray
Aspirin
Adrenaline
Glucagon
What medication do you give for an MI? How much?
Aspirin 300mg chewed in mouth or pre-crushed
Do not allow patient to swallow water afterwards
What do you give patient suffering from anaphylaxis?
Adrenaline
IM injection - 1/2 of a 1ml 1:1000 ampule- 500micrograms
Can be repeated at 5 minute intervals
What do you give patient suffering from asthma attack?
Salbutamol inhaler
Shake, press, inhale, hold
How does GTN spray work?
Vasodilation by reducing preload, to reduce supply volume reducing BP
How much of GTN spray do you give someone suffering from an angina attack?
2 sprays sublingually - do not administer without good pulse
How does adrenaline work?
Reverses peripheral vasoilation and reduces oedema
Dilates the bronchial airways
How does aspirin work?
Aspirin depletes platelet aggregation and inhibits thrombus formation
How do you give adrenaline?
IM- intramuscular
Stretch skin on leg
Inject needle at 90 degree angle
Aspirate
Disperse medication
Remove and let leg go soft
What adrenaline dose do you use for children?
0.15ml for 6 months - 5 years
0.3ml for 6-11 years
12+ as adult dose
What are the signs of Asthma Attack?
Cyanosis or low respiratory rate
Bradycardia- heart rate below 50
Exhaustion, confusion, decreased conscious level
How do you manage an asthma attack?
Administer the patient’s own bronchodilator - 2 puffs
If unavailable administer a salbutamol inhaler 4 puffs through a spacer device, repeat as necessary
If patient does not respond to tx within 5 minutes, phone 999
What are the shockable rhythms for a defib?
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia
