Medical Emergencies - Paramedic Study Guide

Question 1

Major Organs in the Abdomen - RUQ

Answer 1

Right lobe of liver
Pylorus of stomach
Gallbladder
Duodenum (small intestine)
head of pancreas
Right Kidney
Right suprarenal gland
Part of ascending colon (large intestine)
Part of transverse colon (large intestine)

Question 2

Major Organs in the Abdomen - LUQ

Answer 2

Left lobe of liver
Stomach
Spleen
Jejunum & Proximal ileum (small intestine)
Pancreas
Left kidney
Left suprarenal gland
Part of transverse colon (large intestine)
Part of descending colon (large intestine)

Question 3

Major Organs in the Abdomen - RLQ

Answer 3

Cecum (large intestine)
Appendix
Most of Ileum (small intestine)
Part of ascending colon (large intestine)
Part of uterine tube
Part of ureter
Part of spermatic cord
Part of uterus
Part of urinary bladder

Question 4

Major Organs in the Abdomen - LLQ

Answer 4

Part of descending colon (large intestine)
Sigmoid colon (large intestine)
Left ovary
Left uterine tube
Part of left ureter
Part of left spermatic cord
Part of uterus
Part of urinary bladder

Question 5

The primary structures that make up the Gastrointestinal tract

Answer 5

Mouth
Pharynx
Esophagus
Stomach
Small intestines
1. Duodenum
2. Jejunum
3. Ileum
Large intestines
1. Cecum
2. Colon
a. Ascending
b. Transverse
c. Descending
d. Sigmoid
Rectum

Question 6

What are the accessory organs of the digestive system

Answer 6

Salivary glands
1. Parotid
2. Submandibular
3. Sublingual
Liver
Gallbladder
Pancreas

Question 7

Types of Abdominal pain

Answer 7

Visceral pain
Parietal pain (rebound pain)
Referred pain
Somatic pain

Question 8

Visceral pain

Answer 8

distension of the intestines or stretching of the solid organs.
crampy, aching, deep pain caused by activation of pain receptors in internal areas of the body that are enclosed within a cavity, such as the chest, abdomen, or pelvis; common with genitourinary problems.

Question 9

Parietal pain (rebound pain)

Answer 9

inflammation of the parietal peritoneum.

the pain is usually severe, steady, localized, and aggravated by movement.

Question 10

somatic pain

Answer 10

pain caused by the activation of pain receptors in the body superficial tissues, such as the skin, bones, muscles, and joints, usually felt deeply, that represents irritation or injury to tissue; in contrast to visceral pain, this is generally more intense and more precisely localized.

Question 11

referred pain

Answer 11

pain that feels as if it is originating from a body part other than the site being stimulated.

Question 12

pain in shoulder

Answer 12

ruptured spleen, ectopic pregnancy, pancreatitis

Question 13

pain in scapula

Answer 13

cholelithiasis, MI, biliary colic, Pancreatitis

Question 14

pain in thighs, genitals, lower back

Answer 14

renal problems, ureteral colic

Question 15

pain in lower & middle back

Answer 15

abdominal aortic aneurysm

Question 16

Treatment for GI Bleed

Answer 16

2 L fluid bolus infusion in adults, 20 ml/kg in children. High flow o2 and consider pneumatic anti-shock garments

Question 17

Signs and Symptoms of an upper GI Bleed

Answer 17

black, tarry stool(melena)

Question 18

Signs and Symptoms of a Lower GI Bleed

Answer 18

hematochezia - passage of fresh, bright red blood from the rectum.

Question 19

Preexisting conditions for HHNK

Answer 19

Often occurs in older patients with type 2 diabetes

Question 20

Side effects of an ACE inhibitor

Answer 20

Hypertension, edema and CHF

Question 21

Signs and Symptoms of anaphylaxis

Answer 21

The PT may complain of throat tightness and dyspnea, stridor, and wheezing may be present. The PT may also have erythema(redness) and urticaria(hives) and angioedema

Question 22

Treatment for anaphylaxis

Answer 22

Give Epinephrine to all patients with clinical signs of shock, airway swelling or difficulty breathing.

Question 23

Signs and symptoms of meningitis

Answer 23

Malaise, low grade fever, projectile vomiting, petechial rash, headache and a stiff neck.

Question 24

This type of seizure is described as a brief LOC without loss of posture

Answer 24

Absence seizure(petit mal)

Question 25

This type of seizure is described as an abrupt loss of muscle tone, sudden collapse and is sometimes known as a “drop attack”

Answer 25

Atonic seizure

Question 26

This type of seizure is described as brief muscle contractions that usually occur at the same time on both sides of the body

Answer 26

Myoclonic seizures

Question 27

This type of seizure is described as a sudden LOC and loss of organized muscle tone

Answer 27

Tonic-clonic seizure

Question 28

Treatment for allergic reaction

Answer 28

without respiratory involvement - supportive care, o2, transport

Question 29

Treatment of headache

Answer 29

Treatment in the prehospital setting is mostly supportive care however a full history should be obtained and a full neurological exam should be performed. Most headaches can be managed with analgesics

Question 30

Signs and Symptoms of a CVA

Answer 30

aphasia, confusion or coma, convulsions, incontinence, vision change, headache, dizziness or vertigo and ataxia

Question 31

Signs and Symptoms of a black widow spider bite

Answer 31

Muscle cramps and spasms, abdominal rigidity and intense pain, pain in the muscles of the shoulders, back and chest. Headache, dizziness, N/V, and edema of the eyelids

Question 32

Signs and symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite

Answer 32

A lesion may be surrounded by a red halo known as the “bull’s eye,’’ symptoms include fever chills malaise N/V generalized rash and the development of hemolytic anemia

Question 33

signs and symptoms of a thyroid storm

Answer 33

Severe tachycardia, heart failure, dysrhythmias, shock, hyperthermia, abdominal pain

Question 34

treatment for benzodiazepines overdose

Answer 34

assess and manage the airway, administer o2, iv access, apply eco, pulse oximetry, capnometer, consider administering flumazenil, transport.

Question 35

signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose

Answer 35

euphoria, hypotension, respiratory depression, and pinpoint pupil

Question 36

treatment for an opioid overdose

Answer 36

establish and maintain a patent airway, npa/opa with bvm 15 Lpm o2, iv access - narcan 0.4mg-2mg (titrate), transport. if cardiac arrest is present during primary assessment, high quality CPR, narcan administration early with high index of suspected opioid overdose.

Question 37

Treatment of a delusional patient

Answer 37

Treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying physical disorder to reduce anxiety. Sedatives may be required to manage the PT.

Question 38

Treatment of a psychiatric patient

Answer 38

Management

a. Usual methods of reasoning may not work because the patient may have their own rules of logic.
b. You are likely to feel uncomfortable in the presence of a psychotic person.
c. The disorganized patient needs structure.
d. Keep orienting the patient to: time, place, and people in the environment
e. When a patient’s behavior threatens his or her own well-being or the safety of others, you must take more aggressive steps to prevent injury.
f. People experiencing a psychotic episode often do not comply with treatment, so employ nonpharmacologic interventions first.
g. When these methods fail, it may be appropriate to:
i. Safely restrain the patient.
ii. Administer a medication to help the behavior.
h. Follow medical control direction and standing orders when administering medications.