Unconsciousness

Question 1

Unconsciousness

When a person is ___________ to people and activities

A state in which a patient is ______________ of both _______________________ and unable to respond meaningfully to external stimuli

Answer 1

unable to respond

totally unaware

self and external surroundings

Question 2

_________________ System acts like an executive assistant

Answer 2

Reticular Activating

Question 3

Reticular Activating system controls _______,_______, and ___________

Answer 3

Sleeping , waking , and attention

Question 4

Spectrum of Altered Level of Consciousness
The term Altered level of consciousness (ALOC) can be used to describe a spectrum of disorders that are as follows

Clouding of consciousness:
• a very ______ form of ALOC
•there is _________, decreased ________, and reduced __________

oConfusion:
a state of _____________ associated with _____________ and difficulty following commands.

Answer 4

mild

inattention; alertness; wakefulness

disorientation; bewilderment

Question 5

Spectrum of Altered Level of Consciousness

Lethargy:
•severe ___________, though the patient can still be _______________________________.

Obtundation:
•similar to _______ but with ——————————- and decreased
______________________________

Answer 5

drowsiness; aroused with moderate stimuli

lethargy; slowed responses to stimulation; periods of time spent in wakefulness

Question 6

Spectrum of Altered level of consciousness

Stupor:
•mental state when the patient can only be aroused by _________________ stimuli (such as ________).

Coma:
•a persistent state of _______________ despite attempts of arousal

Answer 6

repeated and vigorous

pain; unresponsiveness

Question 7

Causes of Unconsciousness

F
I
S
H

S
H
A
P
E
D

Answer 7

Fainting ; imbalance of heat, shock; head injury

Stroke; Heart attack; asphyxia; poisoning; epilepsy ; diabetes

Question 8

IMMEDIATE MANAGEMENT Basic Principles
•
A-B-C of Resuscitation

Maintain a _________ ( ________control). Protect the airway from ___________

Ensure that the patient is _________ adequately and

Ensure that the patient’s heart pumps enough blood (__________) to maintain vital functions

Answer 8

patent Airway; C-spine

aspiration; Breathing

Circulation

Question 9

Airway Obstruction in Unconscious patients

Loss of consciousness frequently results in airway compromise or obstruction.
Hypotonia leads to ________ displacement of _________ against _________________________.

Others – secretions, vomitus, blood, dentures, foreign body, facial fractures

Answer 9

posterior; tongue

posterior pharyngeal wall

Question 10

Commonest cause of airway obstruction??

Answer 10

Tongue falling backwards

Question 11

Airway Assessment
How do you know if the Airway is obstructed?

Mention 4

Answer 11

Gurgling
Snoring
Stridor
Apnoea

Question 12

Airway management

Clear the airway of secretions, blood – ___________

Use of airway adjuncts
______________ airway
_______________ airway
___________________ Airway

Answer 12

suctioning

Oropharyngeal; Nasopharyngeal

Laryngeal Mask

Question 13

Assess Breathing

Look for ___________
Listen for ____________
Feel for ____________
Use not more than ________ to assess breathing

Answer 13

chest movement

breath sounds

expired air

10 secs

Question 14

Support Breathing

••Rescue breathing – Expired air ventilation _______% oxygen

••Bag-mask-valve
Ambu bag ventilation
___% to_____% oxygen
Supplemental oxygen if patient is breathing spontaneously

Answer 14

16- 17

21; 100

Question 15

Assess Circulation
Look, listen and feel for normal breathing, coughing, or movement by the victim
Check the ________ (if trained)
Take no more than ___________

Answer 15

carotid pulse

10 seconds

Question 16

Breathing & Circulation present

Support the circulation
position to aid _______ and __________ circulation
____
Monitor _________
Monitor __________
Monitor __________

Answer 16

central & cerebral

IVF; pulse rate

blood pressure; capillary refill time

Question 17

Circulation but no Breathing

Known as ________
Continue __________/___________
Check for circulation every _________

Answer 17

Respiratory Arrest

rescue breathing/ assisted ventilation

minute

Question 18

No Breathing No Circulation

Start _____________ with _______

Answer 18

CPR

Chest compressions

Question 19

Disability (Coma Assessment)

AVPU scale
•
- A – ______
- V – responds to __________
- P – responds to ________
- U- ________

__________,_________

Answer 19

alert

verbal stimulus

painful stimulus

unresponsive

Pupils
Blood Glucose

Question 20

Exposure

To check for :
_________
_________ signs of Trauma
_________
___________, etc

Answer 20

Temperature

External

Rash

Neck Stiffness

Question 21

Approach to management

A - Airway
B - Breathing C – Circulation
D – Don’t
E – Ever
F - Forget
G -_____________!

Answer 21

Glucose

Question 22

Recovery business

As near to true _________ position as possible with _________________.

_____________ of fluid. Prevents _______

Position should be stable. Use of _________________ behind back to prevent ___________.

No pressure on chest. Impairs __________

Airway accessible and easily observed
Should be possible to turn patient to _____________ position quickly and safely.

Answer 22

lateral; mouth dependant

Free drainage ; aspiration

small pillow ; rolling

breathing; supine

Question 23

_________ and _________ can be used as tools to assess the level of unconsciousness

Answer 23

AVPU and GCS