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