NREMT Part III Flashcards
Signs
findings you can objectivly:
- See
- hear
- feel
- smell
- Exmpl: vomiting, deformity, wheezing
Symptoms
Subjective feelings the patient must tell you about
empl: Nausea, pain, dyspnea
OTC
Over The Counter Medications
when to reassess stable patient
Every 15 mins
When to reassess unstable patient
Every 5 mins
Six standard vital signs
- RR
- Pulse
- BP
- Pupils
- Skin temp
- Pulse ox
Tachypnea
and tachypnic rate for adult
Rapid breathing
Over 20 breaths a min
Bradypnea
And bradypnic rate for adult
Slow breathing
Under 12 breaths a min
Normal Respiratory Rhythm
Regular rhythm and adequate chest rise and fall
Shallow Respiratory Rhythm
Minimal chest rise and fall
Labored Respiratory Rhythm
Increased work of breathing
Irregular Respiratory Rhythm
Abnormal breathing pattern
Best place to hear lung sounds
pts back
Wheezing
High-pitched whistleing sound
- usually on expiration
Crackles/Rales
Wet, crackling sound
- usually on inspiration and expiration
Rhonchi
Low-pitched congested sounds
- usually due to mucus
- usually on expiration
Three fields to auscultate lungs
- Upper lungs (apices): below clavicals @ midclavicular line
- Middle lung field: middle chest @ midclavicular posterior
- Lower lungs (base): lower portion of thorax @ miclavicular or midaxillary
At what Systolic BP is it unlikely you can palpate a pulse
60 mmHg
3 componants to documenting a pulse
- Rate
- Rhythm
- Quality
Quality of pulse descriptors
- strong
- weak
Rhythm of pulse descriptors
- regular
- irregular
What is BP measured in?
Millimeteres of mercury (mmHg)
what is pulse pressure
Difference between systolic and diastolic
‘normal’ pulse pressure
Difference that is >25% but <50% of systolic
Wide pulse pressure
and indicates what
- Greater than 50% of systolic
- indicates increased ICP
Narrow pulse pressure
and indicates what
- <25%
- Indicates possible obstructive shock
Hypertension stages (BP Values)
Stage 1: 130/80 - 139/89
Stage 2: systolic > 140 OR diastolic >90
Hypertension crisis: Systolic >180 OR diastolic >120
Hypotension in child (1 - 10 Y.O)
Systolic below
70 + 2(age)
Exmpl: 5 y.o. with systolic BP of 80
orthostatic hypotension considerations
- have pt stand for 1 min then repeat BP
- do not assess if pt is already dizzy, weak, hypotensive while supine
orthostatic hypotension findings
- Drop is SBP >20
- Drop is DBP >10
- sharp rise in pt pulse rate
Mydriasis
Dialated pupils
Miosis
Constricted pupils
‘Normal’ pupil size
midsize:
2 - 5 mm in light
Anisocoria
pupils are different in size or shape
Body temp (Adult average & range)
Average: 98.6 F (37C)
Range: 97 F (36.1C) - 99 F (37.2C)
What age group has a lower body temp
Elderly
Where to palpate for relative skin temp
upper back or neck
(Not forehead)
What age group is cap refill a reliable sign of poor perfusion
Under 6 years
SaO2 and SpO2 difference
SaO2: O2 saturation of arterial blood
SpO2: O2 saturation detected by pulse oximeter
Pulse Oximetry limitations
- not only tool for respiratory efficiency
- cannot measure amount of hemoglobin (only saturation of hemoglobin that is present)
- Inaccurate readings due too :hypovolemia, hypothermia, anemia, nail polish, carbon monoxide, tabacco use
NIBP
Non-invasive Blood Pressure monitoring
What scope is capnography/capnometry in?
AEMT or Paramedic
Capnography
End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2)
- measurement of carbon dioxide in pts exhaled breath
Some systems allow EMT to assist set up ( LIKE COLORADO :) )
Capnography vs. Capnometry
Capnography: Co2 waveform and numerical value
Capnometry: numerical value only
5 components of Patient Assessment for EMT
- Scene Saftey
- Primary assessment
- Patient History
- Secondary Assessment
- Reassessment
Scene Size up componants
- Scene saftey
- BSI/PPE
- MOI or NOI
- # of patients
- additional resources
- consider spinal precautions
When should you carry a portable, compact, flashlight
all times
Primary Assessment
- begins when you reach the pt
- Identify and manage life threats
Primary Assessment componants
- General impression
- LOC
- ABC or CAB (AVPU)
- Rapid scan as needed
- transport priority