Other serious conditions

Question 1

HYPERGLYCAEMIA (high blood sugar)

- 8 signs + symptoms

Answer 1

• slow onset (12-48 hrs)
• levels of response deteriorate slowly (drowsy, lethargic, eventually unconscious)
• skin dry + warm
• deep, sighing breathing
• rapid pulse
• excessive urination / thirst
• hunger
• fruity odour on breath

Question 2

HYPOGLYCAEMIA (low blood sugar)

- 5 signs + symptoms

Answer 2

• fast onset (2 mins to 1 hour)
• levels of response deteriorate rapidly (weakness, confusion, memory loss, uncoordinated, slurred speech, bizarre/violent behaviour, unconsciousness within 1 hour)
• pale, cold, sweaty skin
• breathing either normal or shallow and rapid
• rapid pulse

Question 3

what should you not confuse HYPOGLYCAEMIA with?

Answer 3

drunkeness

Question 4

HYPOGLYCAEMIA
- treatment for conscious casualty

(4 things)

Answer 4

• sugary drink, sweet food
• if recovers quickly, give them more food/drink
• stay with casualty until they are ‘fully alert’
• if not responding to treatment within 10 mins, call emergency services

Question 5

HYPOGLYCAEMIA
- treatment for unconscious casualty

(3 things)

Answer 5

• call emergency services
• check airway + breathing
• recovery position (if breathing normally)

Question 6

HYPERGLYCAEMIA
- treatment

(2 things)

Answer 6

• arrange for casualty to see doctor ASAP

- if falls unconscious, call emergency services

Question 7

3 types of SEIZURE (+ details)

Answer 7

• ABSENCE SEZURE - can appear as if daydreaming, can last just a few seconds, casualty will be unaware it happened. Common in children
• PARTIAL SEIZURE - localised jerking / twitching, may pluck at clothes, smack lips, swallow repeatedly, wander around. Can become generalised seizure if electrical activity spreads to rest of brain
• GENERALISED SEIZURE - electrical activity affects entire brain + whole body

Question 8

ABSENCE / PARTIAL SEIZURE
- treatment

(4 things)

Answer 8

• guide casualty away from potential danger
• sit / lay down casualty
• stay with casualty until fully alert
• if unaware of condition, tell them to see a doctor

Question 9

GENERALISED SEIZURES

• poss. early warnings (x2)
• 3 phases (+ lengths)

Answer 9

• aura (rarely, casualty gets strange sensation before seizure)
• partial seizure beforehand
• ‘TONIC’ PHASE - muscles become rigid, let out cry, fall to ground, back arches, cyanosis in lips. Lasts no more than 30 seconds
• ‘CLONIC’ PHASE - violent jerking movements, bloody drool (from biting tongue), loss of bowel control. Can last 15 seconds to hours.
• RECOVERY PHASE - body relaxes but casualty unresponsive. Response levels will improve within few minutes, but may not be fully alert for 20 mins. May want to sleep to recuperate.

Question 10

GENERALISED SEIZURES
- treatment during seizure

(6 things)

Answer 10

• gently cushion head (e.g. hands or folded coat)
• loosen tight clothing
• move objects and bystanders around casualty
• if concerned about airway, roll onto side
• note time seizure started
• look for ID (if you don’t know casualty)

Question 11

GENERALISED SEIZURES
- when to call emergency services

(6 things)

Answer 11

• seizure lasts more than 5 mins
• response levels don’t improve within 5 mins after seizure
• second seizure
• not diagnosed as epileptic, first seizure
• seizure lasts 2 mins longer than is “normal” for casualty
• you are unsure

Question 12

GENERALISED SEIZURES
- treatment once seizure stops

(5 things)

Answer 12

• check airway + breathing (resuscitate if required)
• place in recovery position
• keep warm (unless temperature caused seizure)
• move bystanders away, protect modesty
• check levels of response regularly (call emergency services if they don’t improve)

Question 13

3 DON’TS for GENERALISED SEIZURES

Answer 13

• place anything in mouth (esp. your fingers!)
• hold casualty down or restrain
• move casualty (unless in danger)

Question 14

what is a FEBRILE CONVULSION? what happens?

3 things

Answer 14

• Fitting in children caused by over-heating (hypothalamus not fully developed).
• Scary in tonic phase because they stop breathing and have cyanosis in lips.
• Child may have been ill beforehand, so will be hot to touch.

Question 15

FEBRILE CONVULSIONS

- treatment

Answer 15

• protect child from injury (esp. head)
• remove clothing + bedsheets (needs lots of fresh air, but don’t over-cool)
• call emergency services
• check airway + breathing once seizure stops. either resuscitate or place in recovery
• monitor airway + breathing until help arrives