triage education 2b Flashcards
The ABCs of obstetrics points to remember
• Hyperdynamic physiological changes occur as early as 6–8 weeks gestation.
• An assessment of urgency must be made on the basis of both the woman and the foetus.
• An elevated BP is an ominous sign: the higher the BP the more urgent the review
• Domestic violence is more prevalent during pregnancy. This can mean increased complications for mother and adverse neonatal outcomes.
• In the setting of trauma, maternal signs may remain stable even when loss of one-third of blood volume may have occurred.
• The best initial treatment for the foetus is the optimum resuscitation of the mother.
The risk of many conditions is higher in pregnant women than non-pregnant women of childbearing age. These conditions include:
Points to remember
• The risk of many conditions is higher in pregnant women than non-pregnant women of childbearing age. These conditions include:
– cerebral haemorrhage or cerebral thrombosis
– severe pneumonia
– atrial arrythmias
– venous thrombosis
– cholelithiasis
– pyelonephritis
– spontaneous arterial dissections, e.g. splenic and subclavian dissections, with no previous medical history
Risk factors for serious illness or injury
Mechanism of injury
Co morbidities
Age <3 months
Historical variables
others
Mechanism of injury
• penetrating injury
• fall >2 – height
• MCA >60 kph
• MBA/cyclist > 30 kph
• pedestrian
• ejection/rollover
• prolonged extrication
(>30 minutes)
• death same car occupant
• explosion.
Co morbidities
Hx prematurity
• respiratory disease
• cardiovascular disease
• renal disease
• carcinoma
• diabetes
• substance abuse
• immuno-compromised
• congenital disease
• complex medical Hx
Age <3 months
febrile
• acute change to feeding
pattern
• acute change to sleeping
pattern
Victims of violence, e.g.
• child at risk
• sexual assault
• neglect.
others
• rash
• actual/potential effects of
drugs/alcohol
• chemical exposure
• envenomation
• immersion
• alteration in body
