Week 12: emergency nursing

Question 1

What is the purpose of a triage

Answer 1

To sort out

Clinical evaluation and prioritisation between multiple patients - identifying critical patients from non critical

Question 2

What are the 5 levels of triage

Answer 2

1. Resuscitation
2. Emergency
3. Urgent
4. Semi urgent
5. Non-urgent

Question 3

Identify the body systems and how they present

Answer 3

1. Respiratory - severe respiratory distress
2. Circulation - haemorrhage
3. Neurological - seizures/ unresponsive
4. Trauma - visible wounds/ injuries
5. Gastrointestinal - rapid onset abdominal distension
6. obstetrical - fetal parts visible
7. Urogenital - Visible straining/ difficulty to pass waste
8. Generalised - suspicion of hypoglycaemia

Question 4

Goals of CPR

Answer 4

to provide adequate oxygenation and ventilatory and circulatory support until spontaneous function returns

1. establish airway (A) - clear any blockages,
2. provide assisted ventilation (breathing) (B) intubation, providing 100% oxygen during ventilation, 1 breath every 6 sec
3. Chest compressions circulation (C): 120 compressions per min (2 per second) allow full chest recoil and change compressors every 2 minutes

Question 5

Crash cart uses

Answer 5

Endotracheal tubes plus tie to secure tube to patient
laryngoscope with variety of blades
Tracheostomy tubes
Ambu-bag or easily accessible anaesthetic machine
catheters, needles, syringes, tape and scalpel blades
fluids
emergency drugs : adrenaline and atropine
sterile surgical kit

Question 6

What is usually associated with a phone triage?

Answer 6

1. normally a phone call
2. Ask questions, what is the animal doing, signalment, medications, provide first aid, obtain as much informations as possible

Question 7

What are hospital triage priorities when an animal comes in

Answer 7

A - airway and arterial bleeding
B - breathing
C - circulation 
D- disability assessment 
E - evaluate patient/examination

Question 8

What is CPA

Answer 8

Cardiopulmonary arrest: abrupt ceasing of spontaneous and effective ventilation and the patients heartbeat

5-6% survival rate
28% dogs, 58% cats survive

Question 9

What are the warning signs of CPA

Answer 9

rapid changes in respiration 
weak and irregular or absent pulse
severe and acute bradycardia 
hypotension (shock) - low blood pressure
Cyanosis
collapse and unresponsive 
throw the heads back and ridged front legs
distressed vocalisation 
fixed dilated pupils