Unconsciousness Flashcards
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
unable to respond
totally unaware
self and external surroundings
_________________ System acts like an executive assistant
Reticular Activating
Reticular Activating system controls _______,_______, and ___________
Sleeping , waking , and attention
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.
mild
inattention; alertness; wakefulness
disorientation; bewilderment
Spectrum of Altered Level of Consciousness
Lethargy:
•severe ___________, though the patient can still be _______________________________.
Obtundation:
•similar to _______ but with ——————————- and decreased
______________________________
drowsiness; aroused with moderate stimuli
lethargy; slowed responses to stimulation; periods of time spent in wakefulness
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
repeated and vigorous
pain; unresponsiveness
Causes of Unconsciousness
F
I
S
H
S
H
A
P
E
D
Fainting ; imbalance of heat, shock; head injury
Stroke; Heart attack; asphyxia; poisoning; epilepsy ; diabetes
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
patent Airway; C-spine
aspiration; Breathing
Circulation
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
posterior; tongue
posterior pharyngeal wall
Commonest cause of airway obstruction??
Tongue falling backwards
Airway Assessment
How do you know if the Airway is obstructed?
Mention 4
Gurgling
Snoring
Stridor
Apnoea
Airway management
Clear the airway of secretions, blood – ___________
Use of airway adjuncts
______________ airway
_______________ airway
___________________ Airway
suctioning
Oropharyngeal; Nasopharyngeal
Laryngeal Mask
Assess Breathing
Look for ___________
Listen for ____________
Feel for ____________
Use not more than ________ to assess breathing
chest movement
breath sounds
expired air
10 secs
Support Breathing
••Rescue breathing – Expired air ventilation _______% oxygen
••Bag-mask-valve
Ambu bag ventilation
___% to_____% oxygen
Supplemental oxygen if patient is breathing spontaneously
16- 17
21; 100
Assess Circulation
Look, listen and feel for normal breathing, coughing, or movement by the victim
Check the ________ (if trained)
Take no more than ___________
carotid pulse
10 seconds
Breathing & Circulation present
Support the circulation
position to aid _______ and __________ circulation
____
Monitor _________
Monitor __________
Monitor __________
central & cerebral
IVF; pulse rate
blood pressure; capillary refill time
Circulation but no Breathing
Known as ________
Continue __________/___________
Check for circulation every _________
Respiratory Arrest
rescue breathing/ assisted ventilation
minute
No Breathing No Circulation
Start _____________ with _______
CPR
Chest compressions
Disability (Coma Assessment)
AVPU scale
•
- A – ______
- V – responds to __________
- P – responds to ________
- U- ________
__________,_________
alert
verbal stimulus
painful stimulus
unresponsive
Pupils
Blood Glucose
Exposure
To check for :
_________
_________ signs of Trauma
_________
___________, etc
Temperature
External
Rash
Neck Stiffness
Approach to management
A - Airway
B - Breathing C – Circulation
D – Don’t
E – Ever
F - Forget
G -_____________!
Glucose
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.
lateral; mouth dependant
Free drainage ; aspiration
small pillow ; rolling
breathing; supine
_________ and _________ can be used as tools to assess the level of unconsciousness
AVPU and GCS
