Medical Standards Flashcards
Abdominal Pain (non-Traumatic) Standard
What LIFE/LIMB/FUNCTION threats are you going to consider?
What do you do if you discover a pulsatile mass?
What do assess the abdomen for?
leaking or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
ectopic pregnancy
other non-abdominal disorders that may present with abdominal pain including:
- diabetic ketoacidosis
- pulmonary embolism perforated or obstructed hollow organs with or without peritonitis
acute pancreatitis,
testicular torsion
pelvic infection
AND
strangulated hernia
Do not continue with further abdominal palpation
Pulsations
scars
discoloration
distention
massess
guarding
rigidity
tenderness
Abdominal Pain (non-Traumatic) Standard
What should you do if you suspect an AAA?
What else should you be observing when using this standard?
Palpate the femoral pulses for weakness/absence
Melena
Hematemesis
Frank rectal bleeding
Airway Obstruction Standard
Perform assessments and obstructed airway clearence maneuvers as pe ?
Consider airway obstruction for what kind of pts?
Attemp to ?
Current Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Guidelines
Smoke inhalation
Anaphylaxsis
Epiglottitis
Orophryngeal malignancy
Clear the airway using oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal suction
Allergic Reaction (Known or Suspected) Standard
What potential LIFE/LIMB/FUNCTION threats are you considering?
What are common allergens?
Anaphylaxsis
Penicillin and other antibiotics in the penicillin family
Latex
Venom of bees, wasps, hornets
Seafood - shrimp, crab, lobster, other shellfish
Nuts, strawberries, melons, eggs, bananas
Sulphites (food and wine preservatives)
Allergic Reaction (Known or Suspected) Standard
What and where do you assess at a minimum as a secondary survey?
The site of allergic reaction - if applicable
The lungs - for adventitious sounds through auscultation
AND
The skin - for erythema, urticaria, and edema
Allergic Reaction (Known or Suspected) Standard
What are the 2 or more body manifestations you’re going to be looking for?
What are the historical findings you should use, in conjuction with the body systems mentioned above, as evidence towards anaphylaxis?
Respiratory - Dyspnea, wheezing, stridor or hoarse voice
Cardiovascular - Tachycardia or hypotension/shock
Neurological - Dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness
Gastrointestinal - Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea
Dermatological/mucosal - Facial, orolingual, or generalized swelling/flushing/urticaria
Difficulty swallowing/tightness in the throat
Difficulty breathing/feeling of suffocation
Fearfulness, anxiety, agitation, confusion, or feeling of doom
Generalized itching
History of any of the body system involvement listed above/before
Allergic Reaction (Known or Suspected) Standard
What potential problems are you preparing for?
Cardiac arrest
Airway obstruction
Anaphylaxis
Bronchospasm
Hypotension
Altered Level of Consciousness Standard
What should you attempt to determine?
What should you do if the pt has an unproteced airway or is apneic?
What should you perform?
If there’s a specific cause (AEIOUTIPS)
Use an OPA/NPA
AND
Vetilate the pt as per ‘Respiratory Failure Standard’
A secondary survey to assess the pt from head-to-toe
AND
Trauma assessments if trauma is obvious/suspected/can’t be ruled out
Back Pain (Non-Traumatic) Standard
What potential LIFE/LIMB/FUNCTION threats are you considering?
Guideline - what if TAA (thoracic aneurysm) is suspected?
What do you assess in the secondary survey?
abdominal/thoracic aortic aneurysm
acute spinal nerve root(s) compression
intra-abdominal disease (e.g. pancreatitis; peptic ulcer)
AND
possible occult injury (e.g. pathologic fracture)
Perform a bilateral blood pressure
back - for abnormal appearance/findings
chest - as per Chest Pain (Non-Traumatic) Standard
abdomen - as per Abdominal Pain (Non-Traumatic) Standard
distal pulses
AND
extremities - for circulation, sensation, and movement.
Cardiac Arrest Standard
What are the 6 steps to follow in the standard?
What should you do if you have to plan to interupt CPR?
How do you perform CPR on a pt who is approx GREATER then 20 weeks gestation?
1 - Position the pt on a firm, flat surface
2 - initiate CPR inncluding the defib
3 - establish an airway
4 - consider reversible causes initiating further assessment/management
5 - minimize CPR disruptions
6 - Continue all meaures of cardiac resus until TOR granted
Perform CPR and have a partner perform left uterine dislacement
reinitiate CPR as quickly as possible at a predetermined point
Cardiac Arrest Standard
CPR - chest compressionists should
What intervention application should you have ready to use?
what device should be in use aswell?
What about mechanical CPR devices?
Switch every 2min if available
Suction in case of emesis
End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring should be considered.
You can use mechanical CPR devices IF there are limited rescuers available and the CPR monitoring is prolonnged in ambulance
Cardiac Arrest Standard
What O2 should the pt receive if they have a ROSC? What if they’re apneic?
Always remember to keep
What should you do in conjunction with the ‘Patient Assessment Standard’?
Maintain O2 sat at 94-98% BUT if they’re apneic then continue to ventilate
Cardiac monitoring
Obtain vital signs at least every 15min after the 1st hour
AND
Every 30min after the 1st hour OR if there’s a change in pt status
Cardiac Arrest Standard
What do you do if en-route the pt re-arrests?
Resume CPR
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA, ‘Stroke’) Standard
What potentially serious conditions can mimic a stroke?
What do you assess on the head/neck for?
What do you assess the cenral nervous system for? Is there anything else you want to assess for?
drug ingestion (e.g. cocaine)
hypoglycemia
severe hypertension
hypertensive emergency
OR
central nervous system (CNS) infection (e.g. meningitis)
Speech abnormalities
Stiff neck
Pupils size, ERLA
Facial Symmetry
Pupillary size, ERLA
Speech abnormalities
Stiff neck?
Abnormal motor function, eg. hang grip strength, arm/leg movement or drift
AND
Sensory loss
Also assess for incontinence of urine/stool
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA, ‘Stroke’) Standard
What should you ensure during movement and/or transport?
What potential problems should you prepare for?
That there is adequate support for the pt’s body/limbs AND that there is extra padding beneath the affected limbs for support
possible airway obstruction (if loss of tongue control, gag reflex)
decreasing LOC
seizures
AND
agitation, confusion, or combativeness
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA, ‘Stroke’) Standard
What are the signs of cerebral herniation?
What should you attempt to maintain ETCO2 values at?
What should you do if signs of cerebral herniation are present?
Deteriorating GCS <9 with
dilated and unreactive pupils
OR
asymmetric pupillary response
OR
a motor response that shows either unilateral or bilateral
decorticate/decerebrate posturing
35-45mmHg
Attempt to hyperventilate the pt with ETCO2 values of 30-35mmHg
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA, ‘Stroke’) Standard
If you don’t have ETCO2 monitoring then how do you hyperventilate an Adult pt?
Child pt?
Infant that is LESS then 1y old pt?
approx 20 breaths/min
approx 25 breaths/min
approx 30 breaths/min
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA, ‘Stroke’) Standard
What if the LAMS score is GREATER/EQUAL to 4?
What else do you do for a secondary screen of LVO using LAMS?
Then classify the pt as a CTAS 2
Inform the receiving hospital whether the LAMS screen was +or-
AND
Document the LAMS screen for pts presenting with CVA/Stroke symptoms 0-24h from symptom onset
Chest Pain (Non-Traumatic) Standard
What potential LIFE/LIMB/FUNCTION threats rae you considering?
ALWAYS?
acute coronary syndrome/acute myocardial infarction (e.g. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI])
dissecting thoracic aorta
pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax/other respiratory disorders (e.g. pneumonia)
pulmonary embolism
AND
pericarditis
aquire a 12-lead electrocardiogram
Excited Delirium Standard
Give particular attention to ?
Wha if the the pt is or is suspected to be violent/agressive?
Recoginize the need for ? (2) ?
personal safety as per the general measures standard
Refer to the Violent/Aggressivve Patient Standard
Police in conjunctino with the ‘Police Notification Standard’
AND
The potential need for advanced patient care as per the ALS PCS
Chest Pain (Non-Traumatic) Standard
Perform a secondary suvery to assess at a minimum:
Chest - TIASSSU
- subcutaneous emphysema
- accessory muscle use
- urticaria
- indrawing
- shape
- symmetry
- tenderness
Lungs - for decreased air entry and adventitious sounds (e.g. wheezes, crackles), through auscultation
abdomen, as per the Abdominal Pain (Non-traumatic) Standard
neck - for tracheal position and JVD
AND
extremities - for leg/ankle edema