SPECIAL CONDITIONS and PATIENT POPULATIONS Flashcards
Week 5
What is Home Medical Technology?
An external or internal mechanical device prescribed by a member of a regulated health profession for the purpose of treating a medical condition (ex. home dialysis machine)
What is Novel Medication?
A self/caregiver medication prescribed by a member of a regulated health profession that is required to treat patients with generally rare and unusually complex chronic medical conditions which are often end stage
What are 2 reasons why a patient is on Dialysis?
- Acute kidney failure (dialysis may be used for a short time, i.e. toxicity cases)
- Chronic or end-stage kidney failure dialysis is needed to replace the work of the kidneys (the kidneys do not get better and the pt. is on dialysis for the rest of their life)
What are the 2 different types of dialysis
- Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal dialysis
In general terms, what does Dialysis do?
It removes toxins from the blood
What are 5 potential causes of Renal failure?
- Diabetes (most common)
- Hypertension
- Autoimmune disease (Lupus, IgA nephropathy, etc..)
- Genetic diseases (passes from 1 or both parents), such as polycystic kidney disease
- Nephrotic syndrome
What is Hemodialysis?
It is a process that uses a man-made membrane (dialyzer) to remove wastes, such as urea, from the blood. It also aims to restore the proper balance of electrolytes in the blood and eliminate extra fluid from the body
What is a Fistula?
It is a surgical connection made between an artery and a vein that is created by a vascular specialist
Where is an AV Fistula typically located?
It is typically located in the arm but, it can be placed in the leg
Fill in the blank:
With an AV Fistula, blood flows from the artery directly into the vein, increasing blood _______ and amount of blood flow through the vein….causing the veins to enlarge which allows the veins to deliver the amount of blood flow necessary to provide adequate hemodialysis treatment
pressure
Why are AV Fistulas the preferred vascular access for long-term dialysis?
Because they last longer than any other dialysis access type, are less prone to infection, and can be relied upon for predictable performance
What is an AV Graft?
It is a form of vascular access which is created by inserting synthetic tube to connect a vein to an artery
Where is an AV Graft typically located? How long can they be ready for use?
They are typically located in either the right or upper left arm and can be ready for use in days to weeks
When is an AV Graft typically made?
When the veins are not suitable for an AV Fistula
What is a Central Venous Catheter?
A flexible synthetic (man-made) tube that is usually placed in the Vena Cava (it can also be placed in the groin/femoral vein)
When is a Central Venous Catheter used?
When a patient is waiting for a fistula or when a fistula is not possible
What is important to remember when you are dealing with a Central Venous Catheter?
That both clamps must be closed prior to disconnecting (close the patient side first and remember to clean the site)
What is Peritoneal Dialysis?
It is a process that uses the lining of your abdomen, or belly, (peritoneum) to filter the blood inside your body
How does Peritoneal Dialysis work?
- The peritoneal cavity is filled with a special dialysis fluid
- Excess water and wastes pass from the blood through the peritoneum into the dialysis fluid
- The fluid is then drained from your body and discarded
What are the 7 steps to Emergency Dialysis Disconnect?
- Utilize trained family or staff on scene if available (if not, wear PPE)
- Obtain disconnect kit (which will have instructions)
- Clamp the patient side
- Clamp the machine side
- Apply caps
- Cover site with dressing
- Don’t worry about the machine
What 8 drugs does dialysis remove?
- B: Barbiturates
- L: Lithium
- I: Isoniazid
- S: Salicylates
- T: Theophylline/Caffeine (Methylxanthines)
- M: Methanol, Metformin
- E: Ethylene glycol
8: D Depakote, dabigatran
What do Barbiturates do? Provide 1 example.
They produce a wide spectrum of central nervous system depression from mild sedation to coma, which is used for treating seizure disorders, neonatal withdrawal, insomnia, preoperative anxiety, the induction of coma to address increased ICP, and for inducing anesthesia.
EX. Butalbital
What does Lithium do?
It helps reduce feelings of mania (excited, high mood, distracted) and it also helps to treat bipolar episodes
What is Isoniazid?
It is an antibiotic that is used to treat Tuberculosis or to prevent its return
What are Salicylates? Provide 2 examples.
They are a type of drug found in many over-the counter and prescription medication that can help reduce a variety of biological issues such as fever and inflammation.
EX. Aspirin and Bismuth Subsalicylate
What are Methylxanthines? Provide 2 examples.
They are a purine-derived group of pharmacologic agents hat have clinal use because of their bronchodilatory and stimulatory effects.
EX. Caffeine and Theophylline
What does Metformin do?
It helps to control the amount of glucose in your blood and decreases the amount of glucose you absorb from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver
What is Methanol used for? Why is it toxic?
It is an organic compound that is used in the manufacture of formaldehyde and acetic acid, in chemical synthesis, in antifreeze, and as a solvent.
Because it can lead to severe health issues such as metabolic acidosis, CNS depression, and damage to the optic nerve
What is Ethylene Glycol? Why is it toxic?
It is an organic compound that is used mainly for two purposes: as a raw material in the manufacture of polyester fibers and for antifreeze formulations
Because it breaks down into toxic compounds within the body negatively affecting the CNS, then the heart, and then the kidneys
What is Depakote? What is it used for?
It is a medication that works to restore the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain.
It is used to treat seizure disorders, certain psychiatric conditions (manic phase of bipolar disorder), and to prevent migraine headaches
What is Dabigatran? What is it used for?
It is an anticoagulant (a chemical substance that prevents or reduces the coagulation of blood, prolonging clotting time)
It is used to treat and prevent blood clots and to prevent stroke in people with atrial fibrillation