Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?
A sign can be observed by another person
A symptom is a feeling experienced by the patient
What is a seizure?
A sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain. Can cause convulsions, change in level of consciousness.
What can cause a seizure?
Sudden onset of disease or illness. (Stroke)
Symptom of an underlying issue. (Epilepsy)
What is a tonic-clonic seizure?
Most common.
Involves electrical activity in the entire brain.
Characterized by convulsions and loss of consciousness.
What is an absence seizure?
Involves a brief loss of consciousness, patient may stare blankly and fall.
Many patients are unaware of the seizure.
No convulsions.
What is a partial seizure?
Simple or complex.
Patient may or may not lose consciousness.
May effect motor, auto mic, sensory or psychologically.
Caused by anxiety and hyperventilation.
Seizure may last over an hour
What is orthostatic hypotension?
Low blood pressure causes patient to feel light headed or dizzy when sitting or standing after prolonged bead rest.
Blood pools in the extremities, causing a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Vertigo
Patient doesn’t feel light headed, they describe the room as moving.
Can be caused by an inner ear problem, lesion in the brain or spinal cord, or medications.
What are the signs of a stroke?
Facial droop Arm weakness in one or both sides Slurred or difficult speech Extreme dizziness Sudden severe headache Vision difficulty Temporary loss of consciousness
What is shock?
A failure in circulation, with inadequate blood pressure.
What are the types of shock?
Hypovolemic Septic Neurogenic Cardiogenic Anaphylactic
What is hypovolemic shock?
Results from a severe loss of blood or plasma.
Hemorrhage, internal bleeding, or severe burns put a person at risk for this type of shock.
Treat with fluid replacement, oxygen, and vasoconstrictors
What is septic shock?
Results from a massive infection.
Has 2 phases
Phase 1: hot dry skin, increased heart a respiratory rates, normal to increased urine output.
Phase 2: cool skin, rapid heart and respirations, and anuria
What is neurogenic shock?
A failure in arterial resistance.
Caused by injury to the CNS, or a medication reaction.
Signs, warm dry skin, loss of peripheral pulses, bradycardia, and hypotension.
What is cardiogenic shock?
Results from an ineffective heart beat.
