Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What does a team leader do in an emergency situation?
Directs team, stays and focuses on patient, performs CPR, focuses on what is right for patient
What does the assistant do in an emergency?
Gets emergency kit, AED, and oxygen, assists with CPR, prepares drugs for leader to use
What information should be shared when calling 911?
- preliminary dx
- basic info about pt
- what is being done for pt at the moment
- exact location
- telephone number
What are the ABCs of any emergency?
- Supine position
- 100% oxygen
- evaluate airway, breathing, and circulation
- take vitals
- knowledge of AED
What is the most common medical emergency in dentistry?
Vasodepressor syncope
What causes vasodepressor syncope?
- decreased cerebral blood flow
- stress, anxiety, pain, sight of blood/needles, or fear
What are signs that can occur before syncope?
nausea, perspiration, loss of color, pupil dilation, hyperpnea, peripheral coldness
How do you treat syncope?
Put pt in trendelenburg position, assess consciousness, ABCs, ammonia
Should dental treatment be given if systolic BP is >160?
Only if emergency tx
What stage hypertension is represented by systolic of 140-159 and diastolic 90-99?
Stage I HTN
What systolic pressure is indicated in Stage II HTN?
> 160
A patient that passes out from orthostatic hypotension upon sitting up is considered what?
Syncope
Who is most susceptible to orthostatic hypotension?
elderly patients
What should you do if a patient experiences orthostatic hypotension in your office?
- trendelenburg position
- 100% oxygen
- vitals
Diabetics should be instructed to do what before coming to the office?
Eat and take their medication regularly
What can cause hypoglycemia?
too much insulin, alcohol, excessive exercise, missed meals, failure to medicate, another illness
How should you treat hypoglycemia?
give patient oral glucose or glucose paste if unconscious - then take to hospital
What should you do if your patient has a seizure?
place them on the ground and do not try holding them down, check respiration and roll onto side after convulsions stop
What is the next step after something is dropped down the patient’s airway?
position chair with head below chest, possibly roll onto side, try retrieving item with long forceps or suction
What are symptoms of anaphylactic shock?
weakness, coughing/wheezing, SOB, itching/hives, swelling, stomach cramps, nausea, anxiety, perioral edema, blue skin, dizziness
How do you treat anaphylactic shock?
- supine position
- call EMS
- ABCs
- Oxygen
- Epi-pen or 0.5mg epi IM/SC
- 50mg diphenhydramine IV/IM
What would you do for your patient if hey had milder symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as rash or itching?
- 50-100mg diphenhydramine
2. monitor vitals
50% of deaths in the dental office are linked to what?
local anesthetics
What are symptoms of local anesthetic overdose?
excitement, shivering, muscular twitching, warm flushed skin, lightheadedness, diminished sight, disorientation
