SAAS CPGs Flashcards
Pain Control: How long after administration do morphine and fentanyl exert their maximum analgesic effects?
Morphine 15 minutes and Fentanyl 5 minutes, however sedation can continue to develop for up to one hour.
Pain Control: What are some of the ‘simple measures’ that can be used for pain control? (5)
Reassurance, oxygenation, temperature control, posturing and splinting all contribute significantly to pain control.
Pain Control: What are the two biggest adverse effects of narcotic drugs in pain control?
Hypotension and respiratory depression.
Best practice is to administer supplemental oxygen with continual oxygen saturation monitoring.
Pain Control: The adverse effects of narcotics for pain control are potentiated by what? (4)
Hypoxia
Hypovolaemia
Extremes of age
Presence of other CNS depressants
Pain Control: What it the dose of methoxyflurane given for pain control? Can it be repeated?
Methoxyflurane is administered 3mL inhaled. Multiple doses are not indicated due to the anesthetic effects and toxicity to the kidneys
Pain Control: When is morphine indicated and what is the dose?
Morphine is indicated for patients with uncontrolled pain from musculoskeletal injuries or burns; IF the patient has a systolic BP greater than 100 mmHg and a stable GCS 15.
The dose is 2.5mg IV (with NSL KVO) every 5 minutes until pain is controlled.
Pain Control: When might Morphine be contra-indicated and what is the alternate option?
Morphine may not be appropriate in people with morphine allergies, unable to gain IV access, or paediatrics. Fentanyl is an alternate option.
Pain Control: What is the dose and route of administration of Fentanyl?
Fentanyl, also a narcotic agent, is initial dose up to 180mcg IN (0.3mL each nostril with 0.1mL prime). If pain remains uncontrolled administer a further 90mcg every five minutes to a maximum of 360 mcg. Consult for further management.
Pain Control: What cases must paramedics consult with ECP for management advice? (2)
Uncontrolled pain from other causes ie non musculoskeletal or burns.
Paediatrics with uncontrolled pain.
APO: What are the three main paramedic treatments for a patient with APO?
Posture
Oxygenation
GTN if adequate blood pressure
APO: Assessment of adequate blood pressure takes what factors into account? (6)
Systolic BP Diastolic BP MAP Posture ECG - preload dependent rhythms Heart rate
APO: What is the dose of GTN given and how often in APO? What must be taken into account when giving GTN? (3)
GTN is administered 400mcg SL every 5 minutes PRN, IF
Adequate blood pressure
Rate and rhythm are appropriate
No use of erectile dysfunction agents in last 24 hours
APO: What clinical intervention can ICPs offer for severe cases of APO?
CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure. Consider early activation of clinical support in severe cases.
Adult Cardiac Arrest: What are the two most important aspects of management of cardiac arrest?
Early defibrillation
Continuous quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions
Adult Cardiac Arrest: Compressions should be performed at a rate of …… and at a depth of……
100 beats per minute at 1/3 depth of the chest
Adult Cardiac Arrest: What compression/ventilation ratios are used in arrests with basic airway management and advanced airway management?
Basic airway management 30:2 with a pause for ventilations.
Advanced airway management 15:1 with no pause for ventilation (approx 6 ventilations per minute)
Adult Cardiac Arrest: What are the four different types of arrest rhythm?
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia
Asystole
Pulseless Electrical Activity
Adult Cardiac Arrest: What are the two shockable arrest rhythms? What dose and how often are shocks delivered?
Shockable rhythms are VF and pulseless VT. Shocks are delivered at 200J every two minutes.
Adult Cardiac Arrest: How much adrenaline is administered, how often, and to patients in what arrest rhythms?
1mg IV adrenaline is administered every 4 minutes (every 2 cycles) in all 4 cardiac arrest rhythms
Adult Cardiac Arrest: after delivering a 200J defibrillation what should be done next?
Immediately commence two 2 full minutes of CPR, followed by a pulse check and then determine the rhythm.
Adult Cardiac Arrest: how often should signs of life (eg pulse check) and rhythm be assessed? Then what?
Every 2 minutes.
If shockable rhythm > defibrillate and commence 2 mins CPR
Non shockable rhythm > commence 2 mins CPR.
Adrenaline every 4 mins.
Establish advanced airway
Adult Cardiac Arrest: What are the reversible causes of cardiac arrest?
Hypoxia Hypovolaemia Hyper/hypokalaemia Hyper/Hypothermia Toxins Thrombosis Tamponade Tension Pneumothorax
Adult Cardiac Arrest: What advanced airway options are available to paramedics and ICPs? What is the compression:ventilation ratio once an advanced airway has been established?
Paramedics - Laryngeal Mask Airway
ICPs - Endo Tracheal Tube
15:1 with uninterrupted compressions
Adult Cardiac Arrest: After how long in different arrest rhythms should cessation of resuscitation be considered?
Pulseless VT, VF and PEA - 30 minutes
Asystole - 10 minutes
Adult Cardiac Arrest: What are the fundamentals of treatment of ROSC? (5)
Re-evaluate ABCDE Establish an advanced airway Re-evaluate oxygenation, ventilations, temp control Acquire 12 Lead ECG Rapid transport and notification
Declaration of life extinct: What are the 4 examinations to be documented for declaration of life extinct?
Absence of heart sounds for 1 minute
Absence of pulse for 1 minute
Absence of respirations for 1 minute
Nil pupil reaction to light
Ischaemic Chest Pain: What are the three drugs that are used in the pre-hospital treatment of cardiac chest pain?
Oxygen
Aspirin 300mg PO
GTN 400mcg SL every 5 mins PRN
Ischaemic Chest Pain: What is the dose of GTN and what must be considered before administering it?
GTN 400mcg SL every 5 mins PRN IF
Adequate blood pressure
Appropriate rate and rhythm
No use of erectile dysfunction agents
What are the ages of neonatal, infants and paediatrics ?
Neonates = 2 hours to 28 days Infants = 28 days to 1 year Paediatrics = 1 to 14 years
NIP cardiac arrest: what is the main cause of cardiac arrest in kids?
Hypoxia. Ventilation with oxygen is the key intervention.
NIP Cardiac Arrest: What is the compression to ventilation ratio for paediatrics?
Compressions are delivered at a ratio of 15:2 at 100 beats per minute, pausing for ventilations in both a basic and advanced airway.
NIP Cardiac Arrest: At what joules and how often is defibrillation delivered in a Paediatric arrest?
4 joules per kilogram every 2 minutes
NIP Cardiac Arrest: What is the guideline re adrenaline for paediatrics in cardiac arrest?
IV access can be gained but IV adrenaline 10mcg/kg every 4 minutes is under consult to the ECP
Newborn Care: What age is considered a newborn?
Delivery up to 2 hours
Newborn Care: Preventing …….. …….. is a significant clinical management imperative. How can this be done? (5)
Heat Loss
Thoroughly dry the newborn (also stimulates respiration)
Support skin to skin contact with the mother
Wrap mother and baby in dry warm blankets
Apply baby hat
Maintain an environment >25C en route
Newborn Care: What is the compression ventilation ratio for newborns?
Newborn CPR is 3 compressions to 1 ventilation.
Newborn Care: When are chest compressions indicated for newborns?
If heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute commence CPR at a rate of 3:1
Newborn Care: When is ventilation and oxygenation required for newborns?
Ventilation is required if the newborn does not commence spontaneous respirations within 60 seconds of delivery & stimulation. Ventilations should be delivered at 40-60 breaths per minute. If no improvement after 5 mins commence oxygenation.
When might it not be appropriate to commence CPR? (7)
Advanced Directives
Rigor Mortis is present
Clear and unmistakeable lividity (blood pooling)
Injuries incompatible with life eg decapitation
Pulseless, not breathing, unresponsive >30 mins prior to SAAS arrival
Environmental hazards
Triage
Behavioural: Can paramedics administer Midazolam as a sedative for mental health patients?
Yes. But only if the patient has already been commenced on IV Midazolam and the paramedic has written consent from a medical officer or consult with ECP.
Midazolam 1mg IV slow push every 5 mins up to a maximum 3mg, IF GCS 15 and systolic BP over 100mmHg
Behavioural: When can paramedics take a patient into their care and control?
If the patient has a mental illness and has caused or is at significant risk of causing harm to themselves, others or property, or otherwise requires medical examination.
Anaphylaxis: What are the three major components of a severe anaphylactic reaction?
Hypotension, bronchospasm, and oedema.