Sudden Medical Emergencies
What are six signs of a diabetic emergency?
Changes in the level of responsiveness Changes in behaviour Rapid breathing Cool, pale, sweaty skin Appearance of intoxication Seizures
What are some signs that a woman is about to give birth?
Contractions that are 2 minutes apart or less. The mother says that the baby is coming. The mother feels the urge to push. The mother feels as though she needs to have a bowel movement. The baby is crowning.
How do you care for a woman who is about to give birth?
Create a birthing area by placing clean blankets and or towels As the baby is being birthed, support the head Wipe any fluids or mucus away from the baby's mouth and nose Check the baby's ABCs. Actively dry the baby to stimulate crying and breathing Place the baby directly onto the mother's chest and cover the baby with a cloth or towel Let the placenta and cord drop onto a clean towel. Do not clamp, tie, or cut the cord. Record the time of birth. If the mother has any bleeding tears, apply gentle pressure to them.
What is fainting?
Fainting is a brief period of unresponsiveness that happens when there is not enough blood flowing to the brain
What are some common causes of seizures?
Fevers Infections Head injuries Heat stroke Poisons (including drugs) Drug or alcohol withdrawal Diabetic emergencies Audio-visual stimulation (e.g., flashing lights)
How should you care for someone with a
If the person is able to follow simple commands, answer questions, and swallow safely, have the person eat or drink something that contains sugar. If the person's condition does not improve within 10 minutes, call EMS/911 and administer more sugar if it is safe to do so. If the person's condition improves, recommend that he/she eat a complete meal.
What should you do if you think a person is about to faint?
If you think that someone is about to faint, have the person sit or lie down.
What are some common signs/symptoms of seizures
Involuntary muscle movements Drool or foaming at the mouth Uncontrolled repetitive motions An altered level of responsiveness
Should you give a diabetic person insulin?
No
What are the preferred sugar sources for diabetics?
Oral glucose tablets, chewable candy, fruit juice, fruit strips, milk, or other forms of sugar.
How should you care for someone who has fainted?
Place the person in the recovery position. Encourage the person to follow up with his or her healthcare provider.
How do you care for someone who is having a seizure?
Protect the person from injury by: Moving objects that could cause injury Protecting the person's head with a soft object Do not try to hold the person down Once the seizure is over, roll the person into the recovery position. The person may be drowsy or disoriented for up to 20 minutes.
When should you call EMS/911 regarding fainting?
The person is unresponsive for more than a few minutes. The person is pregnant. The person's medical history is unknown. You suspect that the person fainted as a result of a serious injury or illness.
Should you call EMS/911 for febrile seizures?
Yes
When should you call EMS for a diabetic emergency?
You are unable to give the person sugar The person is not fully awake The person has a seizure The person's condition does not improve within 10 minutes of having sugar
When should you call EMS/911 if someone is having a seizure?
You do not know the person's medical history The seizure lasts more than a few minutes. The person has several seizures in a row. The person is unresponsive for an extended period.
