Medical Emergencies Flashcards by Lauryn Lawson

What is ASTHMA?

Muscular spasm of the lungs making it difficult to breath

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What are the signs/symptoms of asthma?

Wheezing
Distress
Difficulty breathing and talking
Cyanosis - blue tinge to lips

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What is the treatment for asthma?

Salbutamol inhaler used with a spacer to help patient breathe all doses of the inhaler
Keep patient calm and keep an eye on the breathing

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What is anaphylaxis?

Serve allergic reaction resulting in insufficient oxygenated blood reaching the vital organs

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What is the signs/symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Anxiety
Face and airway swelling
A Rapid weak pulse

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What is the treatment for anaphylaxis

Make sure you have oxygen on hand for the patient
Antihistamines to help stop the reaction
Adrenaline injection

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What is a cardiac emergency

When a persons heart stops beating effectively therefore stops pumping blood around the body

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What are the signs/symptoms of a cardiac emergency?

No breathing
Sudden Loss of consciousness
No sign of movement or life
No pulse

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Treatment for a cardiac emergency?

Shout for help
Would need a defibrillator
Perform CPR: compressions 30:2 adult and 15:2 child
Ring 999

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What is an epileptic seizure?

Something interrupting the electrical activity in the brain, leads to muscles in the body contracting uncontrollably, could also lead to unconsciousness

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Signs/symptoms of epileptic seizures?

Daydreaming
Stares
Slight twitching 
Slight aura or feeling
Muscle spasms
Frothy Salvia out of mouth

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Treatment for epileptic seizure?

Need an anti convulsants which could be midazolam through injection

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What is hypoglycaemia

Having Low blood sugar

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Signs/symptoms for hypoglycaemia?

Cold, clammy skin
Blurred vision
Headache
Dizziness 
Stomach pains
Fainting

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Treatment for hypoglycaemia?

Provide patient with a glucose drink - cup of water with a spoon full of glucose

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What is hyperglycaemia?

Have high blood pressure

Signs/symptoms for hyperglycaemia?

Increase of thirst and urination
Weight loss
Sweet odour to breath

Treatment for hyperglycaemia?

If a patient is having a hyperglycaemia attack, would sit the patient down and give them a shot of insulin but In a dental practice it would be giving intravenous or intramuscular that are used in this situation

What is choking?

When an object is obstructing the airways

Signs/symptoms of choking?

Face/lips go blue colour
Sweating
Unable to talk
Gagging
Panicking 
Passing out

Treatment for choking?

Encourage the patient to cough
Reassure at all times that they will be okay
If coughing doesn’t work?
5 backslaps and 5 abdominal thrusts
If that doesn’t work call 999
If patient is pregnant or a child we would call 999 for extra precautions

What is syncope

FAINTING

Where there is insufficient oxygen to the brain

Signs and symptoms of syncope?

Dizziness
Thirst
Pale and clammy skin
Muscle twitching can occur

What is treatment for syncope?

Lay patient flat on ground
Raising the legs above the head either in the dental chair or the floor
Shout for help
Give Oxygen 
Loosen tight clothing
Reassuring at all times
Check there airway is clear 
Still Breathing 
And still have a pulse

What is angina?

Type of chest pain that someone gets when the articles carrying blood to their heart muscle narrow

Signs and symptoms of angina

Pain Shortness of breath Sudden or extreme tiredness

Treatment for angina

Call for help Reassure patient Ask if they have there GTN medication If not use the practices emergency drug kit If there’s still pain and medication isn’t working ring 999

What is a heart attack

Supply of blood to the heart suddenly blocks , usually a blood clot

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack

Pain in chest and arm Pale skin Rapid weak pulse Sweating

Treatment for heart attack

Ring 999 Make patient comfortable,sitting up with knees bent and head supported 300g aspirin, chew slowly Check ABC

Respiratory arrest

Cessation of normal breathing due to failure of the lungs function effectively

Signs and symptoms of respiratory arrest

``` Low oxygen levels Blue lips ,skin, nail beds Sleepy Irregular heart beat Hard to breath Lose of consciousness ```

treatment of respiratory arrest

``` Stay with patient, shout for help, call 999 Open airways Check pulse Start respiration with oxygen and mask Prepare for compressions ```

What is a stroke?

Flow of blood to part of the brain is cut off, clot in a blood vessels or rupture

Signs and symptoms of a stroke

Face- ask them to smile Arms- ask them to raise both Speech- ask them to speak Time- if they cannit do FAC then ring 999