Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What is ASTHMA?
Muscular spasm of the lungs making it difficult to breath
What are the signs/symptoms of asthma?
Wheezing
Distress
Difficulty breathing and talking
Cyanosis - blue tinge to lips
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
What is anaphylaxis?
Serve allergic reaction resulting in insufficient oxygenated blood reaching the vital organs
What is the signs/symptoms of anaphylaxis?
Anxiety
Face and airway swelling
A Rapid weak pulse
What is the treatment for anaphylaxis
Make sure you have oxygen on hand for the patient
Antihistamines to help stop the reaction
Adrenaline injection
What is a cardiac emergency
When a persons heart stops beating effectively therefore stops pumping blood around the body
What are the signs/symptoms of a cardiac emergency?
No breathing
Sudden Loss of consciousness
No sign of movement or life
No pulse
Treatment for a cardiac emergency?
Shout for help
Would need a defibrillator
Perform CPR: compressions 30:2 adult and 15:2 child
Ring 999
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
Signs/symptoms of epileptic seizures?
Daydreaming Stares Slight twitching Slight aura or feeling Muscle spasms Frothy Salvia out of mouth
Treatment for epileptic seizure?
Need an anti convulsants which could be midazolam through injection
What is hypoglycaemia
Having Low blood sugar
Signs/symptoms for hypoglycaemia?
Cold, clammy skin Blurred vision Headache Dizziness Stomach pains Fainting
Treatment for hypoglycaemia?
Provide patient with a glucose drink - cup of water with a spoon full of glucose
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
