PRELIM First Aid Flashcards
Signs, symptoms and management of Shock.
Shock is where the circulatory system is not working correctly, the blood is depressed, causing oxygen to not reach organs quick enough. DRSABCD, talk to casualty, cover injury, reassure them.
Signs, symptoms and management of Heart Attack.
Life threatening condition where the heart does not functional correctly due to an inadequate supply of blood.
Tightness in chest, soreness in left arm, irregular pulse, shock, shortness of breath.
DRSABCD
Signs, symptoms and management of stroke.
Caused when there is a blockage of blood to the brain. Slurry speech, face drooping, inability to move, cannot write correctly, pupils may be irregular. DRSABCD,
Signs, symptoms and management of diabetes.
Condition where the body is not able to produce insulin or regulate insulin required to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Prior to treatment: eat polysaccharides rather than monosaccharides.
Hypoglycaemia- low blood sugar levels. Rapid pulse, swearing, trembling, hunger, aggression, dizziness. DRSABCD, If conscious, give food and drink (glucose), if unconscious do not administer the glucose.
Hyperglycaemia- high blood sugar levels. Rapid pulse, drowsiness, frequent urination, thirst, smell similar to acetone on their breathe. DRSABCD, if conscious allow self administration of insulin.
Signs, symptoms and management of epileptic seizures.
Caused by a high rate of electrical activity being discharged from the brain. Two types: Petit mals and grand mals. Petit mals cause a vacant expression on casualty, they are unresponsive and appear to be vacant. Grand mals cause the body to be rigid, sometimes unconscious, froth from mouth, tightened jaw, loss of bladder control.
DRSABCD. For petit mal lay in lateral recovery position, reassure them, make sure they are breathing regularly and that there is no obstruction to airway. For grand mal, DRSABCD, remove any dangerous objects from area, clear the scene (stop the casualty from being embarrassed when they wake).
Discharge from the mouth
Voluntary- usually stomach discharging liquid
Signs, symptoms and management of asthma.
Asthma is a condition where breathing difficulties are experienced due to constriction of the airways in the lungs. Tightness in chest, wheezing, gasping for air, irregular breathing, increase in pulse rate, shallow breathing, sweating, paleness. DRSABCD, if they have medication allow it to be administered.
Signs, symptoms and management of anaphylaxis.
Condition where severe allergic reaction occurs when a person who is susceptible is exposed to the allergen. Tightness in throat, difficulty breathing, swelling in face and/or throat, loss of consciousness, vomiting, abdominal pain. Get rid of the allergen. DRSABCD, implement their anaphylaxis plan, e.g. EpiPen. Blue to the sky, orange to the thigh.
Signs, symptoms and management of poisons.
Substance that is harmful to the body. Headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting, breathing difficulty, drowsiness, change in skin colour, breathe smells like fumes or other odours. DRSABCD, if conscious determine type of poison taken. If it is not corrosive then induce vomiting, but if it is corrosive do not induce vomiting as this can burn the oesophagus. If it is corrosive give water or milk. If it medicinal induce vomiting.
Signs, symptoms and management of snakebite.
Puncture marks, headache, double vision, faintness, sweating, tightness in chest/breathing difficulty. DRSABCD, apply bandage over the site of the bite and beyond, reassure the patient, do not elevate, immobilise affected area.
Signs, symptoms and management of bee and wasp.
Sharp pain at site of the bite, swelling. Remove the sting, scraping or flicking it (do not squeeze), apply ice, monitor for allergic reaction.
Signs, symptoms and management of red back.
Pain at area of bite, sweating, swelling, rapid pulse, faintness.
DRSABCD, reassure the person, apply ice.
Signs, symptoms and management of funnel web.
Pain at site of bite, shivering, sweating, abdominal pain, numbness, nausea, cold skin, breathing difficulty. DRSABCD, reassure the person, apply pressure bandage over the bitten area and extend down to the limb.
Signs, symptoms and management of hypothermia.
Caused by exposure to very low temperatures. Shivering,weak pulse, slurred speech, slow response to follow instructions, shallow breathing. DRSABCD, get away from the elements, e.g. the cold, take off wet clothing and replace the wet clothing with blankets, reassure the person.
Signs, symptoms and management of hyperthermia.
Caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. It caused the body’s temperature control mechanism to not function correctly and thus internal body temperature rises dangerously high. Lack of sweat despite exertion, disorientation, possible unconsciousness, increase in core body temperature, hot skin, rapid pulse, constricted pupils, rapid breathing.
