Medical Emergencies II Flashcards by Dhruv Patel

What are some triggers for asthma? (4)

Stress
Anxiety
Infection
Exposure to Allegen

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What are some clinical signs of acute asthma? (3)

Inability to complete sentences in one breath
Respiratory rate is greater than 25/min
Tachycardia greater than 110bpm

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What are some clinical signs of life threatening asthma? (4)

Cyanosis
Respiratory rate is less than 8/min
Bradycardia less than 50bpm
Exhaustion, confusion, decreased consciousness level

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What would you first do to manage a patient who has had an asthma attack during treatment? (2)

Stop treatment and remove all instrument from mouth

- Reassure patient and sit them in a comfortable position

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What can be administered to a patient who has had an asthma attack? (2)

Salbutamol preferably via a spacer device

- Oxygen at the rate of 15L/min

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What is anaphylaxis?

Severe, life-threatening, generalised or systemic hypersensitivity reaction

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What are some common triggers of anaphylaxis? (3)

Drugs
Latex
Additives in medicines

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Why is anaphylaxis tricky to diagnose? (2)

Often inconsistent clinical features

- Wide range of possible presentations

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What is cyanosis?

A blueish discolouration of the face due to lack of blood circulation

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What are some clinical signs of anaphylaxis? (4)

Urticaria
Erythema
Rhinitis
Conjunctivitis

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What are some symptoms of anaphylaxis? (4)

Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Sense of impending doom

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What should be done immediately if anaphylaxis is suspected?

Call 999

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What can be administered to manage anaphylaxis? (2)

Administer adrenaline 500μg intramuscular

- Administer oxygen at the rate of 15L/min

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What position would you place a patient in if they have anaphylaxis?

Lay patient flat and raise their legs to restore BP

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During a medical emergency what should you do if a patient becomes unresponsive? (2)

Check for signs of life (breathing and circulation)

- If one or both absent, start CPR

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Where can pain from angina radiate to? (4)

Jaw
Neck
Shoulder
Back

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What is a common clinical sign of angina? (2)

Shortness of breath

- Increased respiratory rate

Besides medication what can you do to help manage a patient with angina? (2)

Calm and reassure patient

- Sit them up in the most comfortable position

What can be administered to a patient with angina? (2)

2 Sprays of GTN sublingually

- Oxygen 15L/min

If a patient doesn’t respond to GTN initially when can yo spray again?

After 5 minutes

If there is no relief of angina after repeated doses of GTN what can you suspect?

Myocardial Infarction

What can be given to a patient suffering from a myocardial infarction? (2)

Give Aspirin 300mg in single dose orally

- Oxygen 15L/min

What are some common triggers of an epileptic seizure? (5)

Stress
Anxiety
Dehydration/Starvation
Temperature extremes
Bright lights

Describe what you would see from a patient in the tonic phase of a seizure

Sudden loss of consciousness
Becomes rigid
Falls
May give a cry
Becomes cyanosed

Describe what you would see from a patient in the clonic phase of a seizure

Jerking movements of the limbs

Why should you check blood glucose of a patient after a seizure?

Fitting sometimes may be a sign of hypoglycaemia

What can be administered to a patient suffering from a seizure? (2)

- Midazolam 10mg buccally | - Oxygen 15L/min

What can be given to manage mild hypoglycaemia?

Give oral glucose (assuming they can swallow)

What can be given to manage severe hypoglycaemia?

Give glucose gel by squeezing into the buccal sulcus

What blood glucose level confirms hypoglycaemia? What level does it need to reach to be ok?

<3.0mmol/L 5.0mmol/L

If a patient has hypoglycaemia and is unconscious what can be given to them?

Intramuscular glucagon injection

What is syncope?

Temporary loss of consciousness due to cerebral hypoperfusion (faint)

What are some common triggers of syncope (6)

- Stress - Anxiety - Dehydration/Starvation - Temperature extremes - Pain - IV injection of LA

What are some signs and symptoms of syncope? (6)

- Feeling weak - Pallor and sweating - Nausea - Slow pulse - Low blood pressure - Confusion

What should be done to a patient suffering from syncope? (2)

- Lay flat ASAP and raise the legs to improve venous returns | - Loosen tight clothing, especially around the neck

What can be administered to a patient with syncope?

Oxygen 15L/min

What are some signs and symptoms of choking and aspiration? (5)

- Cough - Difficulty breathing - Wheezing - Abnormal chest and abdominal movement - Loose consciousness

If a patient is choking and cough is active what should you do?

Encourage continuous cough

If a patient is choking and cough is inactive what should you do? (2)

- Give 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades - Followed by 5 abdominal thrusts - Repeat until okay

What are some causes of adrenal insufficiency? (3)

- Stress/Trauma - Surgery - Infection

What are some signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency? (5)

- Irregular, weak and rapid pulse - Shock-like features - Confusion - Rapidly falling BP - Rapid loss of consciousness

What should be done immediately if adrenal insufficiency is suspected

Call the ambulance immediately