Unit 4 Lesson 5: Vital Signs in an Emergency Flashcards
The immediate care given to someone who has been injured or become suddenly ill is called
first aid
1.
Importance of knowing first aid
First aid can prevent permanent disability and reduce the recovery time for victims. In emergency situations, the ability to perform basic skills to support and maintain vital body functions can save lives. Bystanders who have been trained to perform these skills have saved countless lives.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed when someone’s breathing has stopped, or their heart has stopped beating. It consists of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing to supply oxygenated blood to the brain.
Many also include training on how to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED)
which is a portable electronic device that can diagnose and administer a shock to a person whose heart has stopped.
Where can you go to get CPR trainning
. The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association both provide certified training in CPR at many sites for affordable fees. In an American Red Cross course, you will learn the techniques and then demonstrate proficiency at the skills that can save lives. Included in classes will be basic first aid training and how to clear foreign body airway obstructions (FBAOs).
What do you do when a person is in distress. Whats the frist step
. While maintaining standard precautions, check to see if the person is responsive by shaking them, rubbing the sternum with your knuckles, and shouting. If the person is unresponsive or gasping only, call 911 or have someone call 911. Check for the pulse for 10 seconds. If no pulse is present, use an AED if there is one available.
If there is no AED do chest comprisons. How to do CPR
. If there is no AED, start chest compressions placing the heel on one hand in the center of the person’s chest and the other hand on top of the base hand. Compress the chest at least two inches (1-1/2 inches on infants) and allow it to re-expand completely. Tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway, pinch the person’s nose closed and give two slow mouth-to-mouth breaths of about one second each. Perform 30 compressions for every 2 breaths. If another person is available to perform CPR, rotate every two minutes.
What to do when victim revives
If the victim revives and has no sign of injury to the back or neck, turn them onto their side and continue monitoring their breathing until advanced medical personnel arrive on the scene.
What is a heart attack
when blood flow to the heart is blocked
What happens when come has a heart attack. How does the person feel
The person may have intense discomfort in the chest and upper body, shortness of breath, cold sweats, and nausea or vomiting.
How long does it take for symtoms of a heart atttack to show up
Symptoms may develop over days or weeks but can also come on suddenly. The sooner a victim receives medical treatment, the less damage there is to the body.
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest can be caused by heart attack or other factors, but it is the sudden stopping or erratic beating of the heart. It is an “electrical” malfunction which disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, lungs, and other organs.
Stages of the effects of cardic arrest
Within seconds, the person is unresponsive or only gasping. Within 3 minutes, brain cell damage can begin, and within 10 minutes, without help, the person will most likely die.
What to do when some has cardic arrest
CPR; Doing CPR keeps blood flowing to the brain and the rest of the body until trained emergency medical professionals arrive to take over. People who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital are two or three times more likely to survive if they receive CPR from a bystander.
Signs of Drug Overdose
- Loss of consciousness
- Weak, erratic, or stopped breathing and/or pulse
- Choking sounds, snore-like gurgling, or vomiting
- Blueish or ashen skin tone, blue/purple/black fingernails and lips
- Body is limp; face is pale or clammy
Cameron fell and hurt her wrist. She goes to her doctor to make sure it is not broken. The nurse takes her vital signs and finds that her temperature is 98.2. What does the nurse likely tell Cameron?
She has a a slightly low temperature.
Though 98.2 is a little lower than the “standard” normal temperature of 98.6, it is close enough to be considered within the normal range.
You are asked to take the vital signs of Mr. Volosin, who is being admitted to the clinic ward at the assisted living facility. His blood pressure is 110 over 70, his temperature is 98.9, and his pulse rate is 75 beats per minute. What should you first do with this data?
record it in Mr. Volosin’s chart
You always need to record your findings, even if they are normal. All data that you collect needs to be recorded, as every measurement may help physicians determine a diagnosis.
Marco is part of an EMT team sent to bring a car crash victim to the hospital. The patient, a young woman, is breathing quietly but seems listless and limp. Marco is worried not enough oxygen is getting to her brain. How could he most efficiently check this?
by using a pulse oximeter
Using a non-invasive pulse oximeter that clips onto the fingertip, the earlobe, or the foot, will quickly provide a reading on the percentage of oxygen saturation of the blood. Oxygen saturation can also be checked by taking a blood sample and sending it to a lab, but this method is not used frequently.
CPR can save lives, and now that you have read about how to perform CPR, you are ready to volunteer to help if you see someone in distress.
False
Reading about CPR is useful, but you will need to attend a hands-on CPR class to learn how to perform CPR correctly.
