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
