Physical Disability, Terminally Ill and Non-Urgent Emergencies Flashcards
What are the two categories of physical disabilities?
- Acquired
- Hereditary/congenital
What are some causes of acquired physical disabilities?
- Accident/trauma
- Infection or disease
- Side effect of a medical condition
Define hereditary disability.
The passing on of traits from parents to offspring, biological inheritance, genetics.
Define congenital disability.
A disease of physical abnormality present from birth.
What is the definition of obesity according to BMI?
Obesity is classified as a BMI > 30.
What is severe obesity classified as?
A BMI > 40.
What health issues are associated with obesity?
- NIDDM
- HTN
- Fatty liver disease
- Cancers
- Infertility
- GERD
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
What is Bariatrics?
A branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of obesity.
What is Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome?
When obese individuals fail to breathe quickly or deeply enough, causing low oxygen levels and high blood CO2 levels.
What condition may increase the risk of right-sided heart failure?
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome.
What are common causes of intellectual disabilities?
- Genetic conditions
- Problems during pregnancy
- Problems at birth
- Exposure to diseases and toxins
What is Down Syndrome?
A genetic disorder caused by an extra whole or partial third copy of chromosome 21.
What are some physical features associated with Down Syndrome?
- Small chin
- Slanted eyes
- Flat nasal bridge
- Relatively large tongue
What is Cerebral Palsy?
A group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance.
What are the types of Cerebral Palsy?
- Spastic CP
- Dyskinetic CP
- Ataxic CP
- Mixed CP
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
A CNS disorder characterized by myelin sheath degeneration of brain and spinal cord.
What is Uhthoff’s Phenomena?
Sensitivity to increased body temperature in multiple sclerosis patients.
What is AIDS?
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a disease caused by the HIV virus that attacks the body’s immune system.
What are the three phases of HIV?
- Acute
- Chronic
- AIDS
What is the treatment for HIV?
Highly active antiretroviral therapy slows the progression of the disease.
What is Meningitis?
Acute inflammation of the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord.
What are Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s signs?
Clinical signs used to assess meningitis.
What is Tetanus?
A life-threatening infection caused by the neurotoxin from Clostridium tetani.
What are the symptoms of Tetanus?
- Muscle spasm
- Painful muscle stiffness
- Jaw cramping
- Trouble swallowing
- Headache
- Chills/fever
- Seizures
What is Toxic Shock Syndrome?
A life-threatening condition caused by bacterial toxins, often related to menstruation and retained tampons.
What are the treatment options for Tetanus?
- Tetanus Immunoglobulin
- Antibiotics
- Benzodiazepines and Magnesium sulfate for muscle spasms
What is a Personal Directive?
A legal document allowing you to name trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf if you lack mental capacity.
What options can be explained to patients other than emergent transport to the hospital?
- Community Paramedics
- Palliative Care Community Team
These alternatives may be more suitable depending on the patient’s condition.
What is a Personal Directive?
A legal document naming agents trusted to make decisions on behalf of a patient lacking mental capacity
It specifies areas of decision-making authority.
What must a health care practitioner do in a medical emergency if a Personal Directive is in place?
Inform the agent(s) of the circumstances as soon as possible
This applies if the patient is unable to make decisions.
What does DNR stand for?
Do Not Resuscitate
It defines the patient’s resuscitation status.
What is required for a DNR document to be validated by a paramedic?
- Confirm identity of patient
- Check names on DNR
- Verify date
- Ensure it is notarized
Validation is essential before following DNR instructions.
What is the focus of Resuscitative Care?
To prolong or preserve life using any medical or surgical means
This includes resuscitation and admission to Intensive Care.
What does Medical Care aim to achieve?
To cure or manage an illness without resuscitative or life support measures
This is suitable when such measures are not expected to work.
What is the aim of Comfort Care?
Optimal symptom control and maintenance of function when cure is no longer possible
Transfer to a hospital may occur for better symptom management.
What conditions indicate that resuscitation should not be initiated?
- Goals of Care Designation present
- Obvious non-survivable conditions
- Confirmed drowning with submersion time > 90 minutes
These conditions help determine the appropriateness of resuscitation efforts.
When must resuscitation be continued?
- Return of spontaneous circulation at any point
- Cardiac arrest witnessed by EMS
- Organized electrical activity on ECG
- One or more defibrillations delivered
These factors indicate potential for survival.
What is the Flatline Protocol used for?
To confirm asystole vs. fine v-fib
It includes checking lead attachment and increasing amplitude.
What factors should be determined when assessing a non-urgent patient?
- History
- Vitals
- Chief Complaint
- Past medical history
- Risk factors
- Age and gender
These factors help assess the urgency of the condition.
What is the role of Community Paramedics?
To provide short-term treatments for low-acuity illnesses in the community
They focus on vulnerable and marginalized populations.
What are some treatments provided by Community Paramedics?
- Advanced pharmacology
- Palliative care
- Transfusion medicine
- Urinary catheterization
- Suturing and wound care
- CVAD/PICC line access
- Point of care testing
- Blood draws
These treatments address various health needs in the community.
Who ultimately decides whether a patient is transported to the hospital?
The patient’s decision maker, typically a family member
Their wishes should guide transport decisions.
What can hypercalcemia cause in a patient?
Confusion and other symptoms
It can be a complication of bone cancer.
