Medical emergencies part 3 Flashcards
What are the symptoms of a Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)/stroke?
- Severe headache,
- dizziness,
- paralysis,
- weakness,
- difficulty in speaking,
- changes in vision,
- loss of consciousness.
What causes the first type of stroke?
Occlusion of cerebral vessels, treated by clot-dissolving medication.
What causes the second type of stroke and how is it diagnosed and treated?
- Rupture or leakage of a vessel in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke),
- diagnosed by CT scan and treated by surgical intervention.
What are the clinical manifestations of a stroke?
- Severe headache,
- numbness,
- muscle weakness or flaccidity (usually one-sided),
- eye deviation (usually one-sided),
- possible loss of vision,
- confusion,
- dizziness,
- difficult speech (dysphasia)
- no speech (aphasia),
- stiff neck,
- nausea or vomiting,
- loss of consciousness.
What are the clinical manifestations of cardiac arrest?
- Loss of consciousness, pulse, and blood pressure;
- dilatation of pupils within seconds;
- possibility of seizures.
What should a radiographer do if they recognize stroke symptoms?
- Summon qualified help,
- stop the procedure,
- notify the emergency team,
- do not leave the patient unattended,
- monitor vital signs,
- prepare to administer medication as needed.
What are the key points about cardiac and respiratory emergencies in the imaging room?
- Cardiac failure and respiratory failure or airway obstruction may occur without warning.
- The brain can survive without oxygen for only 2-4 minutes.
- Assistance within the golden hour is crucial.
How should a radiographer respond to airway obstruction?
- Call for assistance,
- do not leave the patient alone,
- assist the patient to a sitting or semi-Fowler’s position,
- attempt to relieve anxiety,
- call for an emergency team.
What are the clinical manifestations of respiratory arrest?
- The patient stops responding,
- the pulse continues briefly then stops,
- chest movement stops,
- no air detectable through the mouth.
How should a radiographer respond to both cardiac and respiratory arrest?
- Shake the patient if unresponsive,
- call for the emergency team,
- shout for help,
- assess the carotid pulse,
- if no pulse, place the patient in a supine position on a hard surface.
What is epistaxis and how should a radiographer respond?
- Epistaxis is nose bleeding.
- The radiographer should instruct the patient to squeeze firmly against the nasal septum for 10 minutes,
- advise them not to lie down, blow their nose, or talk, and to spit out rather than swallow blood.
What is orthostatic hypotension and how should a radiographer respond?
- Orthostatic hypotension is an abnormally low blood pressure occurring when a person stands up too quickly.
- The radiographer should advise the patient to rise slowly and support them when first standing.
What is syncope/fainting and what are its triggers?
- Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood supply to the brain.
- It can be triggered by heart disease,
1. hunger,
2. poor ventilation,
3. extreme fatigue,
4. emotional trauma,
5. orthostatic hypotension.
How should a radiographer respond to a patient experiencing syncope?
- If the patient feels dizzy or confused, have them lie down.
- If they faint, place them in a supine position with legs elevated.
- If the patient begins to fall, support and assist them to the floor to prevent injury.
How should a radiographer handle an agitated or confused patient.
- Request assistance,
- do not become isolated,
- leave a door open,
- clear a direct path for quick exit, and do not begin the procedure without protective personnel.
- Approach the patient from the side, ask for permission to touch,
- explain the procedure, and speak in a calm but firm voice.
