Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What are the steps of the Basic Life Support (BLS) protocol
- Assess airway for breathing (5 - 10 seconds)
- Call for AED and activate emergency response team
- Assess circulation via pulse (5-10 seconds)
- AED defibrillation if no pulse
What are the steps to take in an airway obstruction emergency
- BLS protocol
- Recognize obstruction or unconsciousness
- position patient for Heimlich or supine for intervention
- head tilt/chin lift
- ventilate with O2 mask, Ambu bag, IPPBD
- reposition head as needed, consider jaw thrust
- reventilate with O2 mask, Ambu bag, IPPDB
- consider abdominal thrusts
- Check for foreign body, use yankauer suction tip
- reattempt steps 3-9
- consider cricothyrotomy (last resort)
What are the steps to take in a bronchospasm emergency
- BLS protocol
- consider administering bronchodilator (1-2 puffs)
- consider subcutaneous Epinephrine (.3 - .5 mg)
- consider benadryl (diphenhydramine) 25-50 mg
- consider a steroid (decadron 20 mg) IV or sublingual
What are the steps to take in emesis, ingestion, and aspiration emergencies
- BLS protocol
- get tonsil suction tip (yankauer)
- turn patient to right side and trendelenburg if possible
- check for vomitus and foreign bodies and clear if possible
- administer 100% oxygen
- auscultate lungs
- watch for cyanosis and dyspnea
- for ingestion and aspiration get a chest X-ray and consider and abdominal flat plate X-ray
What are the steps to take in a syncope emergency
- BLS protocol
- protect patient from injury
- Diagnose etiology (cause)
- Place patient in trendelenburg
- administer 100% oxygen
- consider ammonia inhalant (if patient remains unconsious)
What are the steps to take in angina pectoris for a patient who has been prescribed nitroglycerin
- BLS protocol
- try to keep patient comfortable
- nitroglycerin tabs or spray under tongue
- administer 100% oxygen
- Monitor patients BP, EKG, and with pulse oximeter
- if pain continues after 5 minutes administer further nitroglycerin
- if pain continues after 5 more minutes administer nitroglycerin, assume MI, contact emergency response teams and prepare to transport
What are the steps to take in angina pectoris for a patient who has NOT been prescribed nitroglycerin
- BLS protocol
- administer nitroglycerin tablet or spray sublingually
- activate emergency response teams
- reassure and make patient comfortable
- provide 100% oxygen
- monitor patient BP, EKG, and with pulse oximeter
- if no relief after 5 minutes administer more nitroglycerin
What are the steps for a patient who suffers an MI (myocardial infarction)
- BLS protocol
- put patient in comfortable position
- administer 100% oxygen
- MONA
- Morhpine (1-4 mg doses every 5-10 minutes)
- Oxygen (4L per minute)
- Nitroglycerin (if not already given)
- Aspirin (160-350 mg chew)
- monitor patient BP, EKG, with pulse oximeter
- keep patient comfortable and prepare to transport
What are the steps to take in a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest
- BLS protocol
- if shockable rhythm, SHOCK
- CPR for 2 min
- reevaluate,if shockable rhythm, SHOCK
- Consider epinephrine 1mg every 3-5 min
- CPR for 2 min
- reevaluate, f shockable rhythm,
- CPR for 2 min
- prepare to transport
What are the steps to take for a patient who undergoes a mild allergic reaction
administer benadryl (diphenhydramine) 25-50 mg
What are the steps to take for a patient who undergoes a severe allergic reaction
- subcutaenous Epinephrine (.3-.5 mg)
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) 25-50 mg
- repeat epinephrine after 5-10 minutes
- Decadron 20 mg IV
- if no resolution BLS protocol
What are the steps to take for a patient who suffers a seizure
- BLS protocol
- Protect the patient from harm (restrain if needed)
- consider a benzodiazepine (Valium or Versed)
- Provide post-seizure reassurance (embarrassed patients)
What are the steps to take for a hyperventilating patient
- diagnose and comfortably position the patient
- allow patient to breathe into paper bag or O2 mask
- BLS protocol if patient becomes unconsious
What are the steps to take for a patient who has a hypoglycemic episode
- BLS protocol
- check patient blood glucose
(normal fasting - 70-100)
(two hours post meal - < 180) - if glucose is low and patient is awake administer carbs
- if glucose is low and patient is unconscious, administer carb gel or start IV and administer 50% dextrose
What are the signs of a potential oncoming stroke
sudden weakness of face, arms, or leg (especially on one side only
sudden confusion
trouble speaking and understanding
trouble seeing in one or both eyes
trouble walking
dizziness
sudden severe headache with no known cause
What are the parts of the stroke assessment FAST
Face - have the patient smile and see if half of the face doesn’t respond as well as the other half
Arm - have the patient close their eyes, raise their arms for 10 seconds. see if one arms drift downward when compared to the other arm
Speech- have the patient speak a sentence and see if the speech is slurred, incorrect, or if the patient cant speak
Time - time to activate the emergency response teams