Module 5: Sudden Illness

What is important to determine before giving sugar by mouth to the person experiencing a diabetic emergency? Select 3 answers.

- Make sure the person is awake. - Make sure the person can follow simple commands. - Make sure the person can chew and swallow.

Which of the following are signs and symptoms of stroke? Select 3 answers.

- Facial weakness - Arm or grip weakness - Speech disturbances The FAST mnemonic can help you easily recognize the common signs of stroke and give EMS professionals crucial life-saving information. Signs that indicate possible stroke include: Facial weakness on one side of the body. Arm weakness or grip weakness on one side of the body. Speech disturbance. In addition, it is important to note the Time that signs and symptoms of stroke started in a person.

Before handing the inhaler to Emily, what two things should Coach Kelly do? Select 2 answers.

- Shake the inhaler - Remove the mouthpiece cover and attach a spacing device if available. When assisting with administering quick-relief medication via an inhaler: First, follow the general care steps for assisting with medication administration. Then, shake the inhaler, remove the mouthpiece cover and attach a spacing device (if available), give the inhaler to the person and, finally, encourage the person to use it as directed by their healthcare provider.

Which of the following are important aspects of general care for someone experiencing a sudden illness? Select 4 answers.

- assisting with medications - positioning the person - monitoring and reassurance the person - keeping the person from getting hot or cold

If a person is responsive and fully awake, you should place them in a recovery position while you wait for EMS to arrive and begin their care of the person? True or false?

False Positioning is an important part of general care steps for a person who experiences a sudden illness. A recovery position should be used for a person who is unresponsive but breathing or who responds but is not fully awake. Place a person who is responsive and fully awake in a position of comfort.

Which of the following is a sign or symptom of a heart attack?

Persistent chest pain Signs and symptoms of a heart attack include persistent chest pain, pressure, or squeezing; isolated, unexplained discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach; and more general signs and symptoms such as dizziness or light-headedness; trouble breathing including shortness of breath; pale, gray, or bluish skin; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; extreme fatigue; sweating; a feeling of anxiety or impending doom; and unresponsiveness.

You obtain consent, call 9-1-1 and continue checking a responsive person who is having trouble breathing. The person's lips are swelling, and they are scratching a bee sting on their arm. You notice a medical alert bracelet and they nod their head when you ask if they have an allergy. What do you suspect is wrong with the person and what care should you give?

The person is experiencing anaphylaxis. Assist them with administering epinephrine via an auto-injector. This person is likely experiencing anaphylaxis. Care for anaphylaxis includes assisting with administration of epinephrine via an auto-injector: First, follow the general care steps for assisting with medication administration. Then, hold the person's leg firmly to limit movement. Encourage them to use the epinephrine auto-injector as directed by their healthcare provider. Finally, massage or have the person massage the injection area for 10 seconds. You can administer a second dose of epinephrine if the person is still having signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis 5 to 10 minutes after administering the first dose and EMS has not arrived.

You are caring for a person experiencing an asthma attack. You have helped them administer their quick-relief medication via an inhaler. Ten minutes later, they are still having trouble breathing and EMS has not yet arrived. You should help the person administer a second dose of the medication. True or false?

True More than one dose of medication may be needed to stop the asthma attack. The medication may be repeated after 10 to 15 minutes.

You are caring for a person with life-threatening bleeding. You have applied a tourniquet and are waiting for EMS to arrive. The person becomes confused and irritable. You notice that their skin is very pale and feels moist. They complain that their heart is racing. The person is most likely experiencing shock. True or false?

True This person is likely experiencing shock, which is commonly caused by life-threatening bleeding. After calling 9-1-1, care for shock includes giving care according to your training for the condition causing the shock; having the person assume a position of comfort or having them lie flat on their back; maintaining body temperature; not giving them anything to eat or drink; providing reassurance; and continuing to monitor the person's condition.

If the person with a suspected opioid overdose is unresponsive and not breathing (cardiac arrest), which care step should you do first?

immediately begin CPR If the person with a suspected opioid overdose is unresponsive and not breathing (cardiac arrest), immediately begin CPR! Then, as soon as possible, assist family members with administering or, if allowed and trained, administer naloxone. You may assist a family member with administering naloxone to temporarily reverse the effects of opioids. Naloxone may be given via the nose using a nasal atomizer or nasal spray or via injection using an auto-injector.

Before assisting Emily with administration of her quick-relief medication, Coach Kelly follows the general care steps for assisting with medication administration. Which of the following are three of these steps? Select 3 answers.

- Assemble the medication device. - Explain to Emily what she is going to do. - Ask Emily to confirm that she has the right medication. To assist with medication administration, always follow these steps. Explain to the person or family member what you are going to do; offer to get their medication; ask them to confirm that you have the right medication; assemble the medication device, if necessary and, finally, give them the medication to self-administer. Note: You should not administer medications unless it is allowable by state laws and regulations and you are trained and authorized to do so. Additional training on medication administration is available through the American Red Cross, if you need it.

You are working at an outdoor cafe on a hot summer day. Suddenly you hear a commotion at a nearby table. You make sure the scene is safe. As you approach the person you notice they appear responsive, but they are having trouble breathing. Which of the following sudden illnesses are you most likely to suspect? Select 3 answers.

- Asthma - Anaphylaxis - Heart Attack

Vomiting and diarrhea in young children and infants can lead to which of the following? Select 2 answers.

- Dehydration - Shock In children, especially younger children and infants, vomiting, diarrhea or both can lead to dehydration (too little fluid in the body) and shock.

Which of the following are examples of life-threatening sudden illnesses? Select 2 answers.

- Diabetic emergency - Anaphylaxis Examples of life-threatening sudden illnesses include heart attack, asthma attack, anaphylaxis, diabetic emergency, seizures, shock, opioid overdose and stroke. In young children and infants, high fever and dehydration, resulting from vomiting, diarrhea and other conditions, can become life-threatening.

When is it important to consult a healthcare provider if a young child or infant has a fever? Select 3 answers.

- The infant is younger than 3 months and has a fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or greater. - The child or infant has a febrile seizure. - The fever is associated with change in behavior or activity. It is important to consult a healthcare provider if a young child or infant has a fever if: (1) The infant is younger than 3 months and has a fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or greater; (2) The child is younger than 2 years and has a fever of 102.5° F (39.2° C) or greater; (3) The child or infant has a febrile seizure; (4) The fever is associated with change in behavior or activity, neck pain, poor feeding, decreased urination, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, pain with urination, back pain or a rash.

Which of the following is not a general care step you should take when assisting a person with their medication?

Administer the medication and monitor the person until EMS arrives.

What should Coach Kelly do at this point?

Call 9-1-1 and get equipment.