Medical Emergencies - Paramedic Study Guide Flashcards
Major Organs in the Abdomen - RUQ
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)
Major Organs in the Abdomen - LUQ
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)
Major Organs in the Abdomen - RLQ
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
Major Organs in the Abdomen - LLQ
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
The primary structures that make up the Gastrointestinal tract
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
What are the accessory organs of the digestive system
Salivary glands 1. Parotid 2. Submandibular 3. Sublingual Liver Gallbladder Pancreas
Types of Abdominal pain
Visceral pain
Parietal pain (rebound pain)
Referred pain
Somatic pain
Visceral pain
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.
Parietal pain (rebound pain)
inflammation of the parietal peritoneum.
the pain is usually severe, steady, localized, and aggravated by movement.
somatic pain
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.
referred pain
pain that feels as if it is originating from a body part other than the site being stimulated.
pain in shoulder
ruptured spleen, ectopic pregnancy, pancreatitis
pain in scapula
cholelithiasis, MI, biliary colic, Pancreatitis
pain in thighs, genitals, lower back
renal problems, ureteral colic
pain in lower & middle back
abdominal aortic aneurysm
Treatment for GI Bleed
2 L fluid bolus infusion in adults, 20 ml/kg in children. High flow o2 and consider pneumatic anti-shock garments
Signs and Symptoms of an upper GI Bleed
black, tarry stool(melena)
Signs and Symptoms of a Lower GI Bleed
hematochezia - passage of fresh, bright red blood from the rectum.
Preexisting conditions for HHNK
Often occurs in older patients with type 2 diabetes
Side effects of an ACE inhibitor
Hypertension, edema and CHF
Signs and Symptoms of anaphylaxis
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
Treatment for anaphylaxis
Give Epinephrine to all patients with clinical signs of shock, airway swelling or difficulty breathing.
Signs and symptoms of meningitis
Malaise, low grade fever, projectile vomiting, petechial rash, headache and a stiff neck.
This type of seizure is described as a brief LOC without loss of posture
Absence seizure(petit mal)
This type of seizure is described as an abrupt loss of muscle tone, sudden collapse and is sometimes known as a “drop attack”
Atonic seizure
This type of seizure is described as brief muscle contractions that usually occur at the same time on both sides of the body
Myoclonic seizures
This type of seizure is described as a sudden LOC and loss of organized muscle tone
Tonic-clonic seizure
Treatment for allergic reaction
without respiratory involvement - supportive care, o2, transport
Treatment of headache
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
Signs and Symptoms of a CVA
aphasia, confusion or coma, convulsions, incontinence, vision change, headache, dizziness or vertigo and ataxia
Signs and Symptoms of a black widow spider bite
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
Signs and symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite
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
signs and symptoms of a thyroid storm
Severe tachycardia, heart failure, dysrhythmias, shock, hyperthermia, abdominal pain
treatment for benzodiazepines overdose
assess and manage the airway, administer o2, iv access, apply eco, pulse oximetry, capnometer, consider administering flumazenil, transport.
signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose
euphoria, hypotension, respiratory depression, and pinpoint pupil
treatment for an opioid overdose
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.
Treatment of a delusional patient
Treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying physical disorder to reduce anxiety. Sedatives may be required to manage the PT.
Treatment of a psychiatric patient
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.
