Medical Emergency Management Signs & Tx Flashcards
Allergic reaction (mild or delayed)
hives, itching, edema
Discontinue sources of allergy
Administer diphenhydramine via oral
Allergic reaction (sudden onset): anaphylaxis
urticaria (itchy welts/bumps), flushing, hives, BREATHING DIFFICULTY, fall in BP, loss of consciousness
LIFE-THREATING EMERGENCY
Steps:
1) Call EMS
2) Administer IM epi (0.01mg/kg every 5min until recovery/help arrival)
3) Administer oxygen
4) monitor vital signs
5) Transport to EMS
Acute asthmatic attack
shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing
tachycardia, cyanosis
Sit upright
Administer Oxygen
Administer bronchodilator (Patient’s own albuterol inhaler or emergency kit)
If ineffective –> administer IM epi (0.01mg/kg every 15 minutes)
Call for EMS
Local anesthetic toxicity
light-headed, changes in vision/speech, metallic taste
bradycardia, seizure, cardiac arrest
Assess and support airway, breathing, circulation (CPR if warranted)
Supplemental Oxygen
Monitor vitals
Call for EMS if indicated
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Drowsiness, confusion, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest
Assess and support airway, breathing, circulation (CPR if warranted)
Administer oxygen
Monitor vital
If severe RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, IV flumazenil (IM if IV hard)
—- 0.01mg/kg, max 0.2mg at 1min intervals
—- cumulative max dose 0.05mg/kg OR 1mg (whichever is lower)
monitor for at least 2hrs after recovery
Narcotic overdose
decreased responsiveness
respiratory depression, arrest
cardiac arrest
Assess and support airway, breathing, circulation (CPR if warranted)
Administer oxygen
monitor vitals
If severe RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, Naloxone
—-0.1mg/kg, up to 2mg
monitor for at least 2hrs after recovery
Seizure
disorientation, blinking, blank stare
uncontrolled muscle movement
unconsciousness
Recline and reduce injury risk
ensure open airway and ventilation
Monitor vitals
IF status epilepticus, give diazepam OR midazolam and call for EMS
—-IV Diazepam, 0.15-0.2mg/kg per dose; max 10mg per dose
———may repeat once
—-IV midazolam 0.2mg/kg; max 10mg
Tonic clonic vs absence seizures
Tonic-clonic is periods of stiffening and jerking for 1-3 minutes
Time the seizures. After 5 minutes, status epilepticus, medical emergency
Absence involve staring off into space, eyelids may flutter. usually last 10-20s, patient will be confused but is back to normal
Syncope
feeling warm, pale/moist skin, dizziness
initial rapid pulse, then slows
hypotension
Recline, feet up
loosen clothing
ammonia inhaler
administer oxygen
cold towel on back of neck
monitor recovery
