Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What is a sign
Any abnormality or objective that could indicate disease or illness and that is discoverable by examining. A sign can be observed by another person
What is a symptom
A feeling or physical occurrence experienced by the patient that may indicate illness or disease. Often something that is out of the norm for the patient
Common medical emergencies that happen in the DI department
Seizures Vertigo/orthostatic hypertension Nausea and vomiting CVA Syncope/fainting Drug reaction Contrast media reaction Shock Diabetes
What is a seizure
Sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain that can cause physical symptoms and convulsions where the muscles contract and relax uncontrollably
Change in LOC occurs
Often occur as a sudden onset of disease or illness or as symptom of an underlying issue
Tonic-clonic seizure
Grand mal
Most common
Generalized seizure involving electrical activity in entire brain, patient may experience an aura or premonitory sign
Absence Seizure
Petit mal
Involves brief loss of consciousness where patient stares blankly and may loose balance and fall. Many patients are unaware that they undergo this loss of consciousness. There is no convulsions and patient is often unaware the seizure is occurring
Partial focal seizure
Can be simple or complex, depending whether patient loses awareness. These seizures can have motor, autonomic, sensory or physchological symptoms. May cause severe uncontrollable tremors often is caused by extreme anxiety and hyperventilation is a conscious patient. Duration of the seizure may last over an hour
Tech’s response to seizure
Do not move patient or attempt to restrain or restrict convulsions
Notify physician and seek assistance but do not leave patient unattended
Monitor rate and quality of respiration. Respiration may stop during for tonic contraction of the body
When convulsions stop turn in the patient into the recovery position (sims)
Protect patients modesty and privacy, cover with a bedsheets
Allow patient to rest afterwards
Bladder/sphincter may loose control during the seizure
Common drugs used to treat seizures include diazepam and lorazepam
Orthostatic Hypertension
Is a form of low blood pressure that causes the patient to feel light headed or dizzy when they sit or stand after prolonged best rest. It occurs when blood pools in the extremities and causes a lack of oxygen to the brain. Common in elderly patients. Allow patient to sit up slowly until the feeling passes
Vertigo
Is the sensation where the patient doesn’t feel light headed. Instead they describe the room as moving or whirling. These patients have a risk of falling. Is often caused by an inner ear problem although it can be caused by lesion in the brain or spinal cord
Medications, drugs, alcohol can cause this too
Techs role in helping with vertigo
Allow the patient to lay or sit until the sensation passes
Violent nausea is common so have an emesis basin ready and provide cool cloth
Sudden onset of vertigo must be reported immediately to a dr
Nausea and vomiting
Can be caused by a wide range of factors including medication drug and alcohol use and the disease or illness itself
Techs response to nausea vomiting
Support patient by either sitting them up or placing them in a lateral recuembent position to ensure airway remains clear
Reassure the patient that there is nothing to be embarrassed about
Don’t rush their recovery from the episode
Provide simple breathing instructions to distract patient from nausea
Provide emesis basin and replace often with a clean one. Give moist cloth to patient
Cerebrovascular accident
When blood flow to a part of your brain is interrupted by the blockage or rupture of a blood vessel. Signs include facial droop, arm weakness in one or both sides, slurred or difficult speech, extreme dizziness, sudden severe headache, muscle weakness or numbness especially on one side of the body
Techs response to stroke
Report symptoms to a dr. Most promising outcome of a stroke occurs if the patient receives treatment within an hour
Place patient in recumbent position with head elevated
Seek assistance but no not leave the patient unattended
Have crash cart and oxygen nearby
Monitor vital signs every 5 mins
Syncope/fainting
Temporary loss of consciousness and postural tone caused by a diminished cerebral flow usually due to low blood pressure. Syncope is considered a mild form of shock and can occur when fear, pain or an unpleasant event are beyond coping ability of the patient nervous system
Can also be caused by overheating, dehydration, exhaustion, sudden changes in body position or as a result of meds
Techs response to syncope
Place patient into a sitting or recumbent position, elevating the feet
Patients may have become hypoglycemic provide food/sugar/juice
Reassure patient to alleviate stress or anxiety
Spirits of ammonia can be held under the nose to bring patient to consciousness
Patient should be assessed by a dr if consciousness if lost for more than a minute
Drug Reaction
Can occur with over the counter drugs, prescribed meds, parenteral administration of medications or illicit drug use
Reactions may range in severity from sudden bout of nausea and vomiting to cardiac arrest
Techs response to drug reaction
Depends on severity of the reaction
Contrast reaction
Patient history can sometimes indicate a potential reaction
Cause of reaction to iodinated contrast agents is unknown
There is a greater risk associated with IV admin than with arterial injections
Patients suspected of being sensitive to contrast may be pre-medicated with an antihistamine
Most reactions to agents occur immediately after injection but some milder ones may occur 30 min after
Anxiety has been linked to reactions in some cases so be sure to tell the patient of what to expect
Mild to moderate contrast reactions
Itchy skin
Development of urticaria or other skin rash
Nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes
Coughing with possible laryngeal swelling
Peripheral tingling
Tachycardia or bradycardia
Hypotension
Feeling of fullness or tightness of chest mouth or throat
Feeling of anxiety or nervousness
Techs response to mild contrast reaction
Calm and reassure the patient
Id the allergen and avoid farther contact stop exam injection
Apply cool compress to itchy areas
Observe the patient for signs and symptoms of increased distress
Document details on the patients chart and req
Obtain medical assistance. Consult with rad or nurse to determine if necessary observation of patient before patient is discharged
Techs response to severe contrast reaction
Maintain airway and call a code
Calm and reassure the patient
Ensure integrity of the iv site which may be used to give meds to treat reaction
Prepare oxygen suction and crash cart
Have patients history ready and available
Be ready to assist dr
List of Drugs found on the crash cart
Adrenalin (epinephrine) - increases cardiac output, raises BP, acts as a vasoconstrictor and relaxes bronchioles
Atropine - respiratory/circulation stimulant dries secretions
Dilantin (phenytoin) - anticonvulsant anti-ecliptic drug
glucagon - reverses hypoglycemia
heparin - Inhibts blood coagulation
Sodium bicarbonate - combats acidosis
Sterile water - diluent
Valuim (diazapam) - tranquilizer anti-seizure agent
Xylociane (lidocaine) - anesthetic cardiac anti-dysrhythmic
