medical emergencies Flashcards
What does SBAR stand for?
Situation
Background
Assessment/action
repsonse
What is a steroid crisis?
Caused by def in glucocorticoids (cortisol) and lesser extent mineralocortocid (aldosterone)
physiological demand exceeds ability to be produced
What is a common cause for steroid crisis?
People on long term steroids with sudden withdrawl
HPA axis can longer cope in stressful sitiuations as adrenal glrands have shrunk
What factors may precipitate a steroid crisis?
Minor infections injury surgery GA Burns
How does a steroid crisis preset?
Hypotension (postral weak confused pyrexia rapid weak pulse abdominal pain possible seizures
How do you manage steroid crisis?
Lay flat and raise leg O2 200mg Hydrocortisone (IV) FLuids and IV Amulance
What are the causes of syncope?
LACK OF O2 TO BRAIN
hypotension Overstimulation of CN9 pain anxiety fatigue fasting
what are the sigs of syncope?
pallor
sweating
cold clammy hands
weak pulse becomes full
How do you manage syncope?
loosen any tight clothing lay flat rasie legs sweet drink oxygen
What is choking?
airway obstruction
What are the signs of choling?
Pardoxical breathing] coughing spluttering wheeze.strisodr cysnosis
How do you manage choking?
5 back slaps
5 abdominal thrusts
WHat o medical emergiencies could occur in diabetic pateints?
hypoglyacamia
hyperglycaemia
What are the features of hypoglycamia?
rapid onset irratable sweating fitting blood glucose of less than 3 mmol
What are the signs of hyperglycaemia?
slow onset dry mouth dowsy weak pulse ketoacidodses Blood glucose of more than 10
How do you treat a hypoglyacamic pateint?
Glucose tables/drink
50ml 50% Glucose IV
SC glucagon 1mg
What are the warnging signs for epilspesy?
pre aura
Tonic clonic fitting
incontent
unconcscious
What are the predisposing factors for epilepsy?
Hunger
alcohol
external stimulants
TCA
How do you manage fits in epilepsy?
give O2
What is status epilepticus?
a fit lasting for more than 30mins
high mortality (20%) once siezure persits for more than five mins give 10mg midazolam repeat if no recovery after 10 mins
How do you manage angina/cardio problems?
MONA morphine oxygen nitrates aspririn (300mg)
What are the signs of cardia event?
sharp chest pain
Shallow breaths
Tachycardic, hypotensive, peripheral oedma
How do you manage anaphylaxia?
IM 1:1000 adrenaline repeat after 5 mins
if less then 6: 150mcg
if more than 6: 300mcg
if more than 12: 500mcg (o.5ml)
give IV fluids(500-1000ml)
What are the signs of anaphylaxis?
airway: horsevoice, stridor, tongue swelling
Breathing: SOB, increased RR, wheeze, cynanosis
Circulation: pale clammy, tachycardic, hypotensive, cardia arrest
D: impendind doom
Exposure: hives, skin and mucosal changes, lip swelling
What is anaphylaxis?
life threatenng hypersensitivty reaction characterised by rapid changes in ABC
How do you manage asthmatic attacks?
Oxygen 5mg nebulised salbutamol 40-50mg oral prednisalone ipratropium bromide: 0.5mg hospital
What is one serious risk of asthmatic attack?
tension pneumothroax which maybe bilateral
this is caused by a build up of air within the pleural space which pushes on the lungs andprevents venous resturn to heart
How do you perorm chest compressions?
30:2
centre of chest
5-6cm deep
uninterrrupted
