Chapter 21: Emergency Medical Procedures
General signs and symptoms of shock
Weakness, restlessness, anxiety, disorientation, pallor, cold and clammy skin, rapid breathing, and rapid pulse
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Wheezing, coughing, and dyspnea. Patient may have a bluish discoloration of the skin and extremely labored breathing
List three important cardiovascular function to maintain the body to function properly
1. Adequate pumping action of the heart 2. Sufficient blood circulating in the blood vessel 3. Blood vessels being able to respond to blood flow
List some examples of inhaled poisons
1. Car exhausts 2. malfunctioning furnaces 3. fire 4. Pain, spray, insect spray
List 2 basic type of fractures
1. Closed fracture: there is a break in a bone but no break in the skin over the fracture site 2. Open fracture: A break in a bone along with penetration of the overlying skin surface
List five major types of shock
1. Hypovolemic 2. Cardiogenic 3. Neurogenic 4. Anaphylactic 5. Psychogenic
List 4 ways a poison can enter the body
1. Ingestion 2. Inhalation 3. Absorption 4. Injection
What are some characteristic of venous bleeding?
1. Occurs when a vein has been punctured or severed 2. It is characterized by a slow and steady flow of dark red blood
List two type of seizures
1. Partial seizure- most common type- the abnormal electrical activity is localized into specific areas of the brain 2. Generalized seizure - abnormal electrical activity spread through the entire brain
List two example of ingested poisons
1. Pesticides 2. Contaminated food 3. Gasoline products
The partial seizures are further classified as
1. Simple partial seizure - including twitching or jerking in just one part of the body 2. Complex partial seizure - patient's level of consciousness is affected, and patient has little or no memory of the seizure afterward
List some factors that affects on the severity of a burn
1. The depth of the burn 2. The percentage of the body involved 3. The type of agent causing the burn 4. The duration and intensity of the agent 5. The part of the body affected
List some characteristic of psychogenic shock?
1. The least serious type of shock 2. Caused by unpleasant physical and emotional stimuli, such as pain, fright, and the sight of blood 3. Sudden dilation of the blood vessels causes blood to pool in the abdomen and extremities
What are the characteristics of capillary bleeding?
1. The most common type of external bleeding 2. Consists of a slow oozing of bright red blood 3. Occurs with minor cuts, scratches, and abrasions
What are some characteristic of aterial bleeding
1. The most serious type of external bleeding( least common) 2. An atery is punctured or severed. 3. It is characterized by bright red blood that spurs
List five OSHA Standard that should be followed when administering first aid
1. Wear protective clothing and gloves to cover cuts or other lesions of the skin 2. Sanitize your hand as soon as possible after removing gloves 3. Avoid touching objects that may be contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials 4. If your mucous membrane( in eyes, nose, mouth) come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious material, flush them with water as soon as possible 5. Make sure that your first aid kit contain personal protective equipment, such as gloves, a face shield and mask, and a pocket mask
What are the conditions caused by overexposure to heat
1. heat cramp - least serious 2. heat exhaustion 3. heatstroke - most serious
Pressure point
A site on the body where an artery lies close to the surface of the skin and can be compressed against an underlying bone
Symptoms of external bleeding
Obvious bleeding, restlessness, cold and clammy skin, thirst, increased and thready pulse
Crash cart
A specially equipped cart for holding and transporting medications, equipment, and supplies needed to perform lifesaving procedures in an emergency
Chemical burn
Occur in the workplace and at home
Wound
A break in the continuity of an external or internal surface, caused by physical means
Incision
A clean smooth cut caused by sharp cutting instrument
What is the purpose of first aid kit?
A first aid kit contains basic supplies to provide emergency care to individual who have been injured or become suddenly ill
What is the cause of anaphylactic shock?
A life threatening reaction of the body to a substance to which an individual is highly allergic
Explain why it is important to check the patient for a medical alert tag
A medical tag provides information on a medical condition the patient may have
Emergency Medical Service System
A network of community resources, equipment, and emergency medical technicians ( EMTs) that provides emergency care to victims of injury or sudden illness
What is status asthmaticus?
A severe prolonged asthmatic attack that is life-threatening Patient can move only a small amount of air TRUE emergency situation
What is emphysema?
A progressive lung disorder in which the terminal bronchioles that lead into the alveoli become plugged with mucus It usually found in heavy smokers, patient with chronic bronchitis and elderly patients whose lung have loss their natural elasticity
Aura
A sensation perceived by the patient that something is about to happen Ex: strange taste, smell, sound or twitch
Seizures
A sudden episode of involuntary muscular contraction and relaxation, often accompanied by changes in sensation, behavior and level of consciousness
Abrasion
A wound in which the outer layers of the skin are scrape or rubbed off
Laceration
A wound in which the tissues are torn apart, leaving ragged and irregular edges
Puncture
A wound made by a sharp, pointed object piercing the skin layers and sometimes the underlying structure
Hymenoptera
All of the insect can cause allergic reaction such as honeybee, bumblebees, hornets, etc
Dislocation
An injury in which one end of a bone making up a joint is separated or displaced from its normal position
Burn
An injury to the tissue that causes by exposure to thermal, chemical, electrical or radioactive agents
What is the difference between an open wound and a closed would?
An open wound is a break in the skin surface or mucous membrane that exposes the underlying tissue. Ex: incisions, laceration, punctures, A close would involves an injury to the underlying tissues of the body without a break in the skin surface or mucous membrane. Ex: Contusion or bruise
Fracture
Any break in a bone
Splint
Any item that immobilize a body part
Poison
Any substances that causes illness, injury or death if it enters the body
What is the most effective way to control bleeding?
Apply pressure to the bleeding site The pressure functions is slowing down or stopping the flow of blood The amount of pressure is depend on the site on the body area
Thermal burn typically occur where?
At home, as a result of fire, scalding water, stove, curling iron
What are some symptoms of anaphylactic shock?
Begin with Sneezing, hives, itching, angioederma, erythema, disorientation Progress to difficulty in breathing, dizziness, fainting and loss of consciousness
Hemorrhaging
Bleeding
Define internal bleeding
Bleeding that flow into a body cavity or an organ, or between tissue
What are the pressure point uses most often?
Brachial and femoral arteries
Some sign and symptoms of internal bleeding
Bruises, pain, tenderness, swelling, drop in BP,
What cause the nosebleeds
Cause by an upper respiratory infection but can result from a direct blow from a blunt object, hypertension, strenuous activity, and exposure to high altitudes
CVA
Cerebrovascular Accident - stroke
Characteristic of full-thickness ( 3rd drgree) burn
Destroy completely the epidermis and dermis and extends into underlying tissue such as fat, muscle, bone, nerve Affected area appears black, brown, and cherry red, underneath often pearly white Dense scars, must be carefully monitored
What are the symptoms of hyperventilation?
Dizziness, faintness, and light-headedness, visual disturbances, chest pain, tachycardia, palpation, fullness of throat, and numbness and tingling of the fingers, toes, and the area around the mouth
Explain the tonic-clonic activity that patient exhibits
During tonic phase, patient suddenly loses consciousness, exhibit rigid muscular contraction, respiratory are inhibit, may lose control of the bladder or bowels (30s) During clonic phase, the patient's body jerks about violently, the patient's jaw muscles contract, which may cause pat to bite the tongue and lip ( 10-30 mins)
What is the difference between EMT-basic and EMT-paramedic?
EMT basic( EMT-B) has received formal training and is certified to provide basic life support measures EMT paramedics (EMT-P) is qualifies to provide advanced life support care, including advanced airway maintenance, starting intravenous drips, administration of medication, cardiac monitoring
Who is EMT?
EMT is professional provider of prehospital emergency care, which includes care at the scene and during transportation to the hospital
What factors place an individual at higher risk for developing heat- and cold-related injuries?
Elderly infant Young children Individual who works, exercise outdoor, have medical conditions that cause poor blood circulation Who under influence of drugs or alcohol
What causing seizures?
Electrical activity of brain is disturbed, causing the brain cells to become irritated and overactive
EMD
Emergency Medical Dispatcher
EMS
Emergency Medical Service
Characteristic of partial-thickness (2nd degree) burn
Epidermis and extends into dermis Burn areas appears red, mottled and blistered, often very painful and swelling Blisters should not be broken cause it provide a protective barrier against infection Heal in 3-4 weeks, some scarring
Example of absorbed poison
Fertilizers pesticides used for lawn and garden
What is causing hyperventilation?
Hyperventilation is often the result of fear or anxiety of individual. It can also cause by diabetic coma, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, high fever, etc
What is the cause of the hypovolemic shock?
Hypovolemic shock is caused by loss of blood or other body fluid Condition including external and internal bleeding, plasma severe burns; severe dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea
What is the purpose of crash cart
If an emergency situation occur in the medical office, the physician can immediate care for patient
Explain why it is important to not moving the patient unnecessary
It can result in further injury or can be life threatening to a patient with a serious condition
What cause myocardical infarction?
It caused by partial or complete obstruction of one or both of the coronary ateries or their branches.
What is the cause of cardiogenic shock?
It caused by the failure of the heart to pump blood adequately to all the body's vital organs It commonly seen in MI, heart failure, acute valvular damage When patient develop cardiogenic shock, it is difficult to reserve and has a high fatality rate ( 80-90%)
Explain why that you need to make sure it is safe before approaching the patient
It is important to protect yourself from harm in an emergency situation
What is the cause of neurogenic shock?
It occurs when the nervous system is unable to control the diameter of the blood vessel Most common seen in brain and spinal injuries: blood vessel dilated, not enough blood to fill the dilated vessel-> BP drop significantly
MI
Myocardical infarction - heat attack
What are the signs and symptoms of a fracture?
Pain and tenderness, deformity, swelling and discoloration, loss of function of the body part, and numbness and tingling
Status epilepticus
Seizures are prolonged or come in rapid succession without full recovery of consciousness between them
What animal tend to have a high incidence of rabies?
Skunks, bats, raccoons, cats, dogs, foxes
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body; difficulty in speaking, dimmed vision or loss of vision in one eye, double vision, dizziness, confusion, severe headache; loss of consciousness
What spiders ( found in US) have bites that can result in serious or life-threatening reaction
The black window spider and brown recluse spider
Spiral fracture
The bone is broken into a spiral or S-shape causing by a twisting force
Comminuted fracture
The bone is splintered or shattered into three or more fragments
Greenstick fracture
The bone remain on one side but broken on the other
Transverse fracture
The break occur perpendicular to long axis of the bone
Oblique fracture
The break occurs diagonally across the bone; generally the result of a twisting force
Impacted fracture
The broken ends of the bone are forcefully jammed together
What happen during asthma attack?
The bronchioles constrict and become clogged with mucus, which accounts for may of the symptoms of asthma
What is the main difference between thermal burn and chemical burn?
The chemical continues to burn the patient's tissues as long as it is on the skin
First Aid
The immediate care administered before complete medical care can be obtained to an individual who is injured or suddenly become ill
List some characteristic of superficial burn
The most common type of burn - epidermis layer Skin appears red, is warm and dry to the touch, is usually painful Heals in 2-5 days, does not cause scarring Ex: Sunburn
What are the symptoms of heart attack?
The principal symptoms is chest pain or discomfort. Patient describe chest pain as squeezing or crushing pressure, severe indigestion or burning, heaviness, or aching.
Explain why that you should remaining calm and speaking in a normal tone of voice
The reason is because these measures help calm and reassure the patient
Strain
The stretching and tearing of muscles or tendons When lifts a heavy objects
Sprain
The tearing of ligament at a joint. From fall, sports injury, MVA
Poison control center
These center have access to information about almost all poisonous substances
Explain why it is important to activate the emergency medical services
This is the most important step that you can take to help a patient who has experienced an injury or sudden illness
What are the responsibilities of an emergency medical dispatcher?
To answer the emergency call, listen to the caller, obtain critical information, determine what help is needed, and send the appropriate personnel and equipment
Explain why it is important to follow OSHA Standard when providing emergency care
To reduce and eliminate exposure to bloodborne pathogen and other potentially infectious material
What is the purpose of first aid?
To save life, reduce pain and suffering, prevent further injury, reduce the incidence of permanent disability and increase the opportunity for an early recovery
What is the best-known type of generalized seizure?
Tonic-clonic seizure ( Grand mal seizure)
List two major type of cold-related injury?
frostbite and hypothermia
Crepitus
grafting sensation, caused by the bone fragments rubbing against each other
Epitaxis
nosebleed
What species of snakes are poisonous?
rattlesnakes, copperhead, cottonmouths, and coral head
Shock
the failure of the cardiovascular system to deliver enough blood to all the body's vital organs