PCM Incidents and Emergencies

Treatment of shock

1. Place the patient in a supine position with the head slightly lower than the lower extremities. This helps blood flow to the heart. 2. If head and chest injuries are present or if respiration is impaired, it may be necessary to place the patient supine with the body flat or with the head and chest elevated slightly. (If bleeding is the apparent cause of the shock and the wound is visible, attempt to control the bleeding as described for a laceration.)

What is orthostatic hypotension?

A drop in blood pressure due to a sudden change of posture.; The reduced venous return from the lower extremities results in decreased filling of the left ventricle, which leads to decreased cardiac output and, eventually, decreased cerebral perfusion. As a result, the patient experiences dizziness and possibly syncope when rising to stand.

Which of the following are considered severe reactions to an allergy?

Abdominal pain and difficulty swallowing

Which body part is often wrapped in a circular pattern with a "figure of eights"?

The forefoot and ankle

Over which body part should your hands be clasped when performing the Heimlich maneuver?

below the diaphragm

What is the proper procedure if you suspect a victim has become unresponsive due to asphyxiation (drowning)?

initiate CPR for two minutes then call 911

Which of the following are symptoms of heat exhaustion?

nausea and headache

Which condition occurs most frequently when a person attempts to stand rapidly from a stooped, kneeling, recumbent, or sitting position?

orthostatic hypotension

signs and symptoms of shock

pale, moist, cool skin; shallow and irregular breathing; dilated pupils; a weak, rapid pulse; diaphoresis; dizziness or nausea; and syncope.

Which of the following are signs of hypoglycemia?

Excited, agitated behavior

Which of the following conditions is life threatening and requires prompt emergency care?

Heat stroke

How should a seizing person be handled?

Convulsions should not be restrained or restricted

In which position should a person in shock be placed?

Supine with the head slightly lower than the lower extremities

Types of allergic reactions

Type 1 = immediate reaction (food allergies, bee stings, etc.) Type 2 = body rejects organ transplant Type 3 = body destroys tissues as a cascade of reactions (lupus, glomerulonephritis) Type 4 = Delayed reaction in T cells (poison ivy, dermatitis)