MEDICAL EMERGENCIES Flashcards
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
UNTIL THE END OF 28TH WEEK - NO MEDICAL CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
29TH WEEK UNTIL THE END OF THE 36TH WEEK - MUST HAVE A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE STATING; FIT TO FLY & EXPECTED DATE OF DELIVERY.
NOT PERMITTED TO TRAVEL AT THE 37TH WEEK ON WARDS.
MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES ACCEPTED UNTIL END OF THE 32ND WEEK.
AIR SICKNESS
Sickness caused by motion.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Nausea/vomiting
• Pale skin
• Cold sweat
• Dizziness
MANAGEMENT
• Reassure.
• Gainhistory–use SAMPLE technique.
• Give oxygen and loosen tight clothing.
• Open air vent for fresh air.
• Recline seat.
• Advise casualty to breathe deeply and slowly and to look at a fixed object.
• Offer an air sickness bag.
• Offer medication for motion sickness from the FAK – check precautions.
• Inform SFS/Purser FlightDeck.
• If required contact MedLink using the Tempus IC.
ALCOHOL INTOXICATION
This is a state caused by an excessive consumption of alcohol.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Odour of alcohol.
• Slurred speech.
• Eyes blood shot.
• Face flushed.
• Breathing slow and deep.
• Possible vomiting.
• Loss or altered level of consciousness.
MANAGEMENT
• Offer non-alcoholic drinks i.e. water, soft drinks.
• Delay and dilute alcoholic drinks.
• Distract by conversation.
• Omit alcohol if possible.
• Inform SFS/Purser & FlightDeck.
• Follow the DRSABCD action plan if the casualty
becomes unconscious.
ALLERGY
An allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body’s defence system to a certain substance such as dust, pollen, animal fur, or specific foods or drugs. Recognition features vary depending on the type of reaction which can be mild or severe (anaphylactic reaction).
Signs and Symptoms
• Red, itchy rash.
• Raised, pale areas of skin (‘wheals’or‘hives’).
• Runny, itchy nose and sneezing.
• Itchy, red and watery eyes.
MANAGEMENT
• Reassure.
• Gain history – use SAMPLE technique.
•Encourage casualty to take own medication if available.
• Give oxygen.
• Sit in upright position.
• Inform Flight Deck and SFS/Purser.
• Contact MedLink – use Tempus IC if available.
•Administer medication for allergies (antihistamine) from the FAK/EMK.
*Telfast should be administered from the EMK first until all FAK’s have been updated.
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
A life threatening severe allergic reaction, affecting the whole body which can be fatal. Common triggers include nuts, seafood, certain drugs and insect stings.
Signs & Symptoms
• Swelling of face, tongue and airway.
• Difficulty in breathing with wheezing sound.
• Anxiety.
• Itchy rashes or hives on face and body.
• Signs and symptoms of shock.
• Loss or altered level of consciousness.
MANAGEMENT
Follow EPIPEN procedure then:
•Reassure.
•Give oxygen and loosen tight clothing.
•Sit in upright position.
•Monitor vital signs.
•Treat for shock.
•Inform SFS/Purser and Flight Deck.
•If casualty becomes unconscious, follow the DRSABCD action plan.
APPENDICITIS
It is an inflammation in the appendix due to infection.
• Right-sided lower abdominal pain.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever–flushed face.
• Rapidpulse.
• Signs and symptoms of shock as the condition worsens.
MANAGEMENT
• Reassure.
• Gain history – use SAMPLE technique.
• Give oxygen and loosen tight clothing.
• Give nothing to eat or drink and no medication.
• Let the casualty assume most comfortable
position.
• Keep casualty warm.
• InformSFS/Purser & Flight Deck.
• Contact MedLink using Tempus IC if available.
ASTHMA
A condition in which air passages of the lungs tighten due to irritation and allergic reactions, making it difficult to breathe. Severe asthma is potentially life threatening.
• Difficulty in breathing especially when breathing out.
• Dry cough.
• Wheezing sound.
• Blueness of the face lips and nailbed. May develop hypoxia.
• Anxiety.
• Difficulty in speaking.
• Possible loss of consciousness.
MANAGEMENT
• Reassure.
• Gain medical history – use SAMPLE technique.
• Give oxygen and loosen tight clothing.
•Advise casualty to take their own medication. If they do not have it with them, offer the inhaler for asthma from the FAK.
• Do not over crowd the casualty.
• Use EZ spacer if necessary.
• InformSFS/PurserandFlightDeck.
•Sit in an upright position leaning slightly forward to assist breathing.
• Monitor vital signs.
• Contact MedLink using Tempus IC if available.
Note: Contact Medlink immediately if:
• The casualty has no history of asthma.
• There is no improvement after 2 puffs of the inhaler.
• The casualty cannot complete a sentence.
CHILDBIRTH
The process of child birth or giving birth is known as “labour” and will last several hours. Labor consists of 3 stages.
First Stage | Full dilation of the cervix (approximately 4-18 hours).
Second Stage | Delivery of the baby (approximately 10 minutes to 1 hour).
Third Stage | Delivery of Placenta (approximately 15-30 minutes after the baby delivery).
CARE FOR UMBILICAL CORD
- If the cord is around the baby’s neck, attempt to remove cord by gently lifting it over the baby’s head. If not possible, place cord clamps 3 inches (7.5 cm) apart and cut it when the cord turns white in between the clamps, using sterile scissors.
- If baby is delivered with no cord around the neck, then place plastic cord clamps once pulsation on the cord has stopped. Apply the first clamp 6 inches (15 cm) from baby’s abdomen, Apply second cord clamp 9 inches (23 cm) from baby’s abdomen.
- Cut the cord with sterile scissors when the cord turns white in between the 2 clamps.
- Never remove the cord clamps.
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)
A condition in which small blood clot(s) develop in the deep veins, most commonly in the lower leg. Risk factors for developing a DVT can include: Recent surgery, previous history, immobility, blood clotting disorder.
- Pain and tenderness in the leg.
• Swelling, warmth and redness in the leg.
Additional signs and symptoms might include:
* Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Coughing up blood.
• Possible unconsciousness.
MANAGEMENT
• Reassure.
• Gain history – use SAMPLE technique.
• Give oxygen and loosen tight clothing.
• Raise the leg and advise not to walk around.
• Do not massage the affected area as this might dislodge the clot.
• Inform SFS/Purser & FlightDeck.
• Contact MedLink using Tempus IC if available.
HYPOGLYCEMIA
Signs & Symptoms
• Rapid onset (within minutes).
• Hungry.
• May become aggressive.
• Confused and disorientated, may appear drunk.
• Pale and sweaty skin.
• Weak and dizzy.
• Tremors and shakes.
• Rapid pulse.
• Altered level of consciousness.
MANAGEMENT
- Reassure.
- Gain history – use SAMPLE technique.
- Give oxygen.
- Give sweet drinks or sugar/honey/jam.
- Provide substantial food (meal/sandwich).
- Inform SFS/Purser & Flight Deck.
- Contact MedLink using Tempus IC if available.
- MedLink may advice use of medication from the EMK.
- Follow the DRSABCD action plan if the casualty becomes unconscious.
HYPERGLYCEMIA
Signs Symptoms
• Gradual in onset (hours to days).
• Dry warm skin.
• ExcessiveThirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Acetone breath.
• Restlessness.
• Drowsy and lethargic.
• Altered level of consciousness.
MANAGEMENT
- Reassure.
- Gain history–use SAMPLE technique.
- Give oxygen.
- Encourage to take own medication; insulin.
- Encourage to drink plenty of water.
- Inform SFS/Purser & Flight Deck.
- Contact Medlink using Tempus IC if available.
- Follow the DRSABCD action plan if the casualty becomes unconscious.
DIARRHEA
A frequent or urgent need to have bowel movements which may be runny or watery. If not treated it can cause excessive loss of body fluids resulting in dehydration or medical shock.
Signs and Symptoms
• Abdominal pain/cramps.
• Frequent watery or looses tools.
MANAGEMENT
• Reassure.
• Gain history – use SAMPLE technique.
• Give oxygen.
• Offer medication for diarrhoea from the FAK.
• Offer clear fluids and constipating food e.g.bread,
crackers.
• Inform SFS/Purser and Flight Deck.
• Monitor closely and contact MedLink using
Tempus IC if required.
DRUG OVERDOSE
This may result from an accidental or deliberate overdose, or from drug abuse. Signs and symptoms vary depending on the type of drug.
Signs and Symptoms
• Abnormal behavior.
• Drowsiness.
• Nausea and Vomiting.
• Sweating.
• Unconsciousness.
MANAGEMENT
• Reassure.
• Gain history – use SAMPLE technique.
• Give oxygen and loosen tight clothing.
• Ask the casualty about the drug and quantity taken.
• Place in a comfortable position.
• Inform SFS/Purser & Flight Deck.
• Contact MedLink using Tempus IC if available.
• Follow the DRSABCD action plan if the casualty becomes unconscious.
FAINTING
A brief loss of consciousness due to a temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain.
Signs and Symptoms
• Dizziness and weakness.
• Pale, cold and clammy skin.
• Slow pulse.
• Brief loss of consciousness.
• Slow verbal response.
• Possible nausea.
MANAGEMENT
• Reassure.
• Gain history – use SAMPLE technique.
• Give oxygen and loosen tight clothing.
• Lay flat and elevate the legs.
• Keep warm but do not overheat.
• Provide something to eat if casualty has not eaten anything recently.
• Slowly sit upright and assist casualty back to seat when fully recovered.
• Inform SFS/Purser & FlightDeck.
• Contact MedLink using TempusIC if required.