Theory final exam Flashcards
*Chlamydia:
- Caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis.
- Curable with antibiotics.
- Symptoms: Urethritis, polyuria, pyuria, dysuria.
Gonorrhea:
Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- Treatable with antibiotics.
- Symptoms: Pyuria, itching, burning during urination.
Genital Herpes (HSV-2)
- Caused by the herpes virus (HSV-2).
- Incurable; antiviral medication manages outbreaks.
- Symptoms: Sores, bumps, blisters; recurring outbreaks.
Syphilis
Caused by Treponema pallidum.
- Treatable with antibiotics.
- Symptoms: Sores, oval lesions, can affect the entire body
*HIV and AIDS
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
- No cure; prevention crucial.
- Symptoms: Extreme weakness, rapid weight loss, fevers, swollen lymph glands, chronic diarrhea, memory loss.
Hepatitis A:
High-risk populations: Household/sexual contacts, international travelers, day care employees.
- Transmission: Oral/fecal route.
- Symptoms: Fever, weakness, abdominal discomfort, jaundice.
- Prevention: Hand hygiene, vaccination.
*Hepatitis B
Transmission: Bloodborne, sexual, perinatal.
- High-risk populations: Health care personnel, IV drug abusers, multiple sex partners.
- Symptoms: Anorexia, fever, abdominal discomfort, joint pain, fatigue, jaundice.
- Prevention: Vaccination, safe sex practices
*Hepatitis C
Transmission: Primarily bloodborne, also sexual, perinatal.
- High-risk populations: IV drug abusers, health care personnel, multiple sex partners.
- Prevention: Avoid sharing needles, safe sex practices.
Meningitis
inflammation of membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
- Incubation: 2-4 days.
- Types: Bacterial, viral, fungal.
Bacterial Meningitis
Most serious form.
- Symptoms: Headache, nausea, fever, stiff neck, altered LOA.
- Signs: Brudzinski’s sign, Kernig’s sign.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- Atypical pneumonia from avian population to humans.
- First Canadian death in T.O. (March 2003).
- Worldwide: 2500 infections, 81 deaths.
Symptoms of SARS
- Fever (>38°C), cough, shortness of breath, dyspnea, headache, chills, malaise.
Spread:
- Contact with secretions from mouth, nose, throat.
Treatment:
- Antibiotics available for some forms.
Therapeutic Communication:
A process where the paramedic influences a patient to better understanding through verbal or nonverbal means.
- Strategies: Encouraging expression, conveying acceptance, showing respect.
Building Trust & Rapport
- Professional address.
- Proper voice tone demonstrating concern, confidence, reassurance.
- Explanation of actions using patient-friendly language.
*Effective Communication Styles
Adapt to the situation.
- Maintain calm, moderate volume, and moderate pace.
- Demonstrate concern and compassion.
*Non-verbal Communication:
Gestures, mannerisms, and postures used for communication.
Gestures, mannerisms, and postures used for communication.
Heart Rate (HR):
Number of heartbeats per minute.
Adults: 60-100 bpm.
Measurement: - Palpation of pulse points (radial, carotid).
- Use of a cardiac monitor.
Blood Pressure (BP):**
Force of blood against arterial walls.
Systolic (peak) / Diastolic (rest).
normal bp: 120/80 mmHg.
measurement: - Use of a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope.
- Automated blood pressure monitors.
Respiratory Rate (RR)
Number of breaths per minute.
Adults: 12-20 breaths per minute.
measurement: - Observing chest rise and fall.
- Counting breaths for one minute.
Temperature (T)
Internal body temperature.
Adults: 97.8-99.1°F (36.5-37.3°C).
Measurement: - Oral, axillary, rectal, or tympanic measurements.
- Use of a thermometer.
Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood.
Normal Range:** 95-100%.
Measurement: - Use of a pulse oximeter.
- Placing the sensor on the fingertip.
*History Taking
A systematic process of gathering relevant information about a patient’s past and present health status.
GCS scale
Eye Response (E):* (4) Opens spontaneously; (3) Opens to verbal command; (2) Opens to pain; (1) No response.
- Verbal Response (V): (5) Oriented; (4) Confused; (3) Inappropriate words; (2) Incomprehensible sounds; (1) No response.
- Motor Response (M): (6) Obeys commands; (5) Localizes pain; (4) Withdraws from pain; (3) Flexion in response to pain; (2) Extension response to pain; (1) No response.
Crackles (Rales)
Discontinuous sounds, may indicate fluid in the lungs.
*Wheezes
Continuous high-pitched sounds, common in asthma.
Rhonchi
Coarse sounds, often due to mucus or fluid in large airways.
Stridor
High-pitched, often heard in upper airway obstruction.
Blunt Trauma
Injury caused by forceful impact without penetration.
Rib fractures
Rib Fractures:* Breaks in the rib bones, often painful and may lead to respiratory compromise.
-most common cause of pneumos
*Penetrating Trauma (e.g., Gunshot Wounds)
Definition: Injury resulting from an object penetrating tissues.
- Gunshot Wounds: Damage caused by bullets, may result in internal injuries and bleeding.
Flail Chest
Multiple rib fractures causing a segment of the ribcage to move independently.
- Signs: Paradoxical chest movement (moves inward during inhalation, outward during exhalation).
*Pneumothorax
Presence of air in the pleural cavity, leading to lung collapse.
Tension pneumo
Air accumulates under pressure, compressing the lung and affecting blood flow.
causes tracheal deviation, Hypotension, sob, cyanosis, jvd
Hemothorax
Accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity.
- Signs: Decreased breath sounds on the affected side, signs of shock.
Pulmonary Contusion
ruising or bleeding within the lung tissue.
- Signs: Difficulty breathing, coughing blood, chest pain
Traumatic Asphyxia:
Sudden, severe compression of the chest leading to compromised venous return and increased intracranial pressure.
Signs: Cyanosis, distended neck veins, petechiae.
Inhalation Injuries
Damage caused by inhalation of smoke, toxic gases, or steam.
- Signs: Respiratory distress, altered mental status, burns around the face or mouth.
*Diaphragmatic Rupture:**
Tear in the diaphragm muscle.
- Signs: Abdominal contents may enter the thoracic cavity, causing respiratory distress.
Tracheal Injuries:**
Damage to the trachea (windpipe).
- Signs: Subcutaneous emphysema, hoarseness, difficulty breathing.
Esophageal Injuries:*
Damage to the esophagus.
- Signs: Pain, difficulty swallowing, potential mediastinitis.
Cardiac Tamponade
Compression of the heart due to the accumulation of blood or fluid in the pericardial sac.
- Signs: Beck’s triad (hypotension, muffled heart sounds, distended neck veins).
Sprains
Overstretching or tearing of ligaments
Strains
Overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons
*Fractures
Breaks in bones.
Fracture Types
Open (compound) vs. Closed (simple), Comminuted, Greenstick, Transverse, Oblique.
- Complications: Compartment syndrome, neurovascular compromise.
Asthma
Chronic inflammatory disease causing bronchoconstriction.
- Medications: Bronchodilators (albuterol), Steroids (prednisone).
- Symptoms: Wheezing, dyspnea, use of accessory muscles.
Emphysema:
Lung condition leading to shortness of breath.
- Clinical Features: Barrel chest, pursed lips breathing.
- Symptoms: Chronic cough, weight loss, diminished breath sounds.
PINK PUFFER
Bronchitis:
Inflammation of bronchial tubes.
- Symptoms: Productive cough, chest discomfort, wheezing.
BLUE BLOATER
Heart Rate (HR):
60-100 bpm.
Tachycardia
(>100 bpm
Bradycardia
(<60 bpm),
*Blood Pressure (BP):
120/80 mmHg.