Chapter 16: Sudden Illness
Define Hypoglycemia:
low levels of blood sugar sudden onset occurs when eating has been delayed or when too much insulin was administered (blood sugar levels drops) May be fatal if left unattended
what is Status Epilepticus
two or more seizures with no period of consciousness Call 911- this is an emergency
list the 3 types of diabetes and specifics related to each one
type 1-insulin dependent or juvenile onset. Congenital type 2 -Maturity or adult onset, 90% of all cases are this type, usually non-insulin dependent, results from obesity and inactivity. gestational onset
what are some of the do's and do not's related to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
watch for dehydration -pinch test wait for nausea to pass before giving foods and liquids give clear fluids -sprite, 7-up water, jell-o pop sickles hot water bottle, warm bath lay on left side, knees bent suppository )by prescription Solid foods like crackers toast avoid milk and meats for 48 hours let diarrhea run its course and drink lots of fluids
list the stroke risk factors list the sings and symptoms of stroke
-(50+ years of age, Birth control pills and +30 years, overweight, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, sickle cell disease, substance abuse (crack), and Family History) -Sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm, leg, on one side of the body (strokes are usually unilateral) -Loss of speech difficulty speaking, difficulty understanding speech, -Blurred or decreasing vision (one side *Deviation of PEARL -unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, loss of balance -sudden severe headache -nausea, vomiting
list what you should do for the stroke victim and identify the position you should place them if they are conscious or unresponsive but breathing
-Call EMS, Monitor (do they need CPR), cover and keep them warm, do not give liquids or food Conscious Victim -have victim lay down with upper body and head slightly elevated Unresponsive -recovery position -chin extended to keep airway open
list the major 4 classifications of seizures
-Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizure *grand Mal* -Absence seizures *blank stare* -Complex partial Seizures *Part of brain involved* *Dazed, may mumbles or wobble* -Febrile Seizres *high fever (cold body/wet cloth)*
explain what happens when one has a Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizures (Grand mal seizure)
-often associated with epilepsy -may experience a "sensation" prior to seizure -loss of consciousness -stiff, then jerking motion -duration: 2 to 5 minutes -Muscle contraction, perhaps tongue biting -is usually followed by a period of coma or dowisness, headache, muscle soreness.
Angina pain usually lasts less than ______ minutes
10 minutes
defiantly call 911 if a seziure last longer than _____ minutes
5
what happens when a heart attack occurs
Blood supply to a portion of heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped
list the actions you should take in the event of a heart attack
Call EMS or transport Monitor ABC's/ give CPR if necessary Place Victims in least painful position -(usually in half sitting position, knees bent) -loosen tight clothing around neck and midsection. Give one aspirin if not allergic and check for other medications Determine if there is any history of heart disease Maintain composure/ reassure -Nitroglycerine/ give one aspirin if not allergic
explain what angina is and what it brings it on
Chest pain usually brought on by: -physical exertion, exposure to cold -emotional stress -due to ischemia -(reduce oxygen to part of the heart muscle -duration of pain (less than 10 min) -Usually relieved by nitroglycerin
what are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack (acute myocardial infraction)
Chest pressure, fullness squeezing or pain (pain last longer than 10 minutes) Radiating pain in other areas of upper body Shortness of breath Light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, and perhaps a feeling of indigestion May occur during rest or activity Pain not relieved by nitroglycerin Not all signs are always present Victim will be in denial Get help immediately
COPD refers to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. List the two main diseases associated with COPD
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
what is asthma and what seems to trigger an asthma attacks
Chronic, inflammatory lung disease Air passages narrow, Difficulty exhaling, tends to resolve with age. -Respiratory tract infection -Extreme temperature, especially cold - strong odors, perfumes, dust, fumes, smoke, allergens, air pollution -certain drugs (aspirin, beta blockers -Exercise
list signs of an asthma attack
Coughing Wheezing or whistling sound Chest tightness Shortness of breath Flared nostrils Cyanosis (Victims turn blue) Difficulty speaking Blue Lips/Fingertips These symptoms may also indicate other health problems such as pneumonia, cystic fibrosis
if one is suffering from abdominal pain/distress, what are some questions you need to ask the persons.
Cramping pain Constant Pain Nausea poor appetite fever diarrhea or vomiting is a virus going around chance of pregnancy abdomen rigid to touch -dire emergency
what should you do and not do for someone having a Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizure
Cushion head remove items that victim may bump into loosen tight neckwear place on left side medical-alert tag as seizure ends, offer help. Do not: give food or drink restrain victim put anything between victims teeth move to another place unless to protect from injury
list conditions that could lead to seizures
Epilepsy, heatstroke, poisoning, electric shock, hypoglycemia, high fever in children (fever convulsions), Brain injury, tumor, stroke, Alcohol withdrawal, drug abuse/overdose
list signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia
Gradual onset drowsiness extreme thirst/ dry mouth frequent unirnation flushed skin vomiting/ nausea fruity breath heavy breathing eventual stupor or unconsciousness
explain what pursed lip breathing is
When you barely open your lips and force air out
what usually relieves angina
Nitroglycerin
what are the common, general signs and symptoms of a sudden illness? p246
Person feels ill, dizzy, confused and weak. Skin color changes (flushed, pale or ashen), sweating breathing changes nausea or vomiting
How can you help a person having trouble with COPD? if they are in major distress should you call 911
Put them in a sitting position they usually have their own medication encourage fluid intake in acute distress? get medical attention.
what is hyperventilation and what usually causes it?
Shortness of breath usually brought on by emotional stress
what position should the person be in to take the nitroglycerine and why
Should be sitting or lying down -reduces blood pressure -reduces work for the heart (dilates arteries which increases blood flow.)
if someone is having an asthma attack, what should you do
Sit in upright position, leaning slightly forward Pursed lip breathing -This is when you barely open your lips and force air out Inhaler or other medications Monitor ABC'S if necessary Determine if cause of attack- remove victim from causative environment -abrupt change in outdoor temperature, dust, feathers, animals, tobacco smoke, paint, etc. Keep conversations brief Seek medical attention if necessary
explain, briefly, what happens when one has diabetes
a condition which glucose is unable to enter the cells
identify signs of hypoglycemia
Sudden onset sudden hunger trembling/shaking anger, bad temper (mood change) -Staggering, poor coordination pale Confusion, disorientation, altered mental status sweating eventual stupor or unconsciousness or seizure
what usually happens (in references to brain blood flow) when someone faints?
a sudden, brief loss of consciousness unassociated with a head injury occurs when the brain's blood flow is interrupted -often occurs when standing for prolonged periods of time (results in blood pooling) which may result in a drop in blood pressure -can be brought on by hypoglycemia, dehydration, anemia, heat exhaustion, slow heart rate, anxiety, and emotional stress
what causes Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA's)
a temporary interruption to blood flow in an artery in the brain
seizures (same as convulsions) result from
abnormal stimulation of brain cells/ a brain disturbance -exact cause is usually not known
many times a fainting victim does not need to be seen by medical personnel. Why?
because it's just a sudden loss of consciousness unassociated with head injury
what are the general steps in caring for sudden illness
call 911 help the victim rest and avoid becoming chilled or overheated reassure victim do not give them anything to eat or drink watch for changes and be prepare to give basic life support (BLS) if needed
when should you seek medical attention for abdominal distress?
constant pain unable to drink for 24 hours blood or brown grain matter in vomit vomiting following head injury additionally - black or bloody stool -rigid swollen distended stomach -pain when abdomen is pressed then released.
explain what to do if someone hyperventilates
encourage slow deep breathing inhale through nose and hold for several seconds Exhale slowly through pursed lips. Calm and reassure the victim do not place a paper bag over the head.
if a diabetic has low or high blood sugar levels, but you do not know which if happening what do you do for the person
if the victims symptoms are mild, give sugar as for low blood sugar, this additional sugar will not worsen the victims condition, but it could solve the problem if the victims has low blood sugar. If the victim does not improve in 15 min or signs and symptoms become worse an emergency is developing and the victim needs immediate medical attention.
what should you do for a fainting victim
prevent them from falling Have victim lie down on back elevate feel 8-12 inches Loosen tight clothing after recovery -give fluid with sugar -fresh air/ cool cloth
if anyone has chest pain, whether it lasts more or less than _____ minutes, you should call 911
ten minutes. You should call 911 immediately
define hyperglycemia
the body has too much sugar in the blood Pancreas fails to produce insulin to lower sugar levels
why does blood sugar, in the diabetic, remain too high
when the pancreas has problems producing insulin or the body can no longer use insulin properly the blood sugar can remain too high or too low