First Aid Test Three

stroke

-A cerebrovascular accident or "CVA" also called a brain attack -Oxygen rich blood is disrupted by blockage or aneurysm -Blockage from blood clot, cholesterol or fat lining the artery -Risk factors: hypertension, smoking, diet, diabetes -Prevention: control blood pressure, don't smoke, eat right, exercise, diabetes control -FAST -FACE: weakness on one side -ARM: weakness or numbness in one arm -SPEECH: slurred speech or trouble speaking -TIME: if these symptoms are occurring call 911 -Caring: Call 911, If you see fluids coming from mouth, assist them to their paralyzed or weakened side so they do not choke on fluid, Stay with them and monitor their ABCs, Offer reassurance, Have them rest comfortably -You may need them to use gestures to communicate. Example- squeezing your hand or having them bling their eyes

anaphylaxis

-An allergic reaction that occurs suddenly, within seconds or minutes after the victim comes into contact with a poisonous substance -May see hives, redness, itchy eyes, nausea, restlessness, dilated pupils, labored breathing, chest pain or discomfort -Treatment: Call 911, Epi-pen if they have one, Treat what you can and keep them calm -Epi-pen: Ask if it is their medication (it is a controlled substance)- they must identify if it is their medication, Tip it up right, so the medicine drops down (must be clear in the window), Read side for directions, Hold for ten seconds, The needle does not retract, once the needle is out, it is out- put it back in the box, container, etc.- downside so the tip is away from people, Document time that injection was given, Massage injection site

poisoning signals

-As you approach the victim be aware and cognizant of what you are seeing around the victim -You may see spilled containers, open medicine cabinets, animals, insects, etc. -List of symptoms on page 306

inhaled poison

-Be very aware if you suspect a poisoning. Especially true for inhaled poisoning -Inhaled poisonings are generally from gasses such as carbon monoxide. Most gases are odorless and you don't want to become poisoned as well -Never encourage the victim to vomit unless advised to by medical professionals

insects

-Between .5 to 5 percent of Americans are severely allergic to substances in the venom of bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets -For some people, being stung can bring anaphylaxis (call 911) -Such highly allergic reactions account for nearly 50 deaths each year -However, for most, the sting is just highly painful and uncomfortable

poisoning

-Between 1 and 2 million poisonings happen each year -Poison: any substance that can cause injury, illness or death when introduced into the body -Four ways to be poisoned- give an example -Inhalation- Carbon monoxide -Ingestion- Eating something -Absorption- Almost always unintentional, Through the skin (rashes, poison ivy, poison oak) -Injection- Spider bites, Bee stings

spider bites

-Bites usually occur on the arms and hands of victim reaching to a dark area like a garage or attic -The bite of a black widow is a sharp pin prick followed by dull pain: Muscular rigidity in the shoulders, back and abdomen, Restlessness, Anxiety, Profuse sweating, Weakness, Drooping eyelids -The bite of a brown recluse may produce little to no pain, but more localized pain will follow after an hour- Blood filled blister will for under the skin (look like a bulls eye), This will increase in size until it ruptures, leaving a black scar

care for spider bite

-Black widow: there is an anti-venom for this type of bite: If the victim knows they were bitten by this spider, call 911 to get them medical attention, Recognize the symptoms for the fastest treatment -Brown recluse: There is no anti-venom, Health care professionals will clean the area and provide antibiotics and pain medicine, Let heal from inside to outside

care for insect stings

-Examine the sting site to see if the stinger is still in the skin -If still present, you need to remove the stinger without causing further poisoning -Scrape the stinger away with a fingernail, or the edge of a plastic card -Be aware of the venom sac still being attached to the stinger -Never use tweezers or fingers to remove the sac as you can squeeze the remaining venom into the skin -Wash the site with soap and water and cover the site, you can use a cold pack to help with inflammation and pain -Observe the patient periodically for sign of allergic reaction to the sting

cold related emergencies

-Frost bite and hypothermia are the most common -Frostbite occurs in body parts exposed to the cold -Hypothermia occurs when the body cannot generate enough heat to maintain normalcy -hypothermia: core temperature below 95 degrees

care for frostbite

-Get person out of the cold -Do not attempt to re-warm the area if there is a chance that it can refreeze or if you are close to a medical facility -Handle the area gently, never rub the area -Warm the area by soaking in warm water (100-105) until normal color returns -Loosely bandage -Is if the finger or toes are effected, place sterile gauze between them to keep separated -Take precautions to prevent hypothermia -May need to call 911

poisoning care

-If you think someone has been poisoned call the Poison control center and follow their instructions -Do not give them anything to eat or drink. Unless advised by medical personnel -If the person has vomited, with a gloved hand, save a sample of the vomit as it can be tested for toxins -If the person is unconscious and you expect poisoning, call 911

how body temperature is controlled

-In order to work efficiently, the human body must maintain a constant temperature (98.6) -The body maintains its temperature by constantly balancing heat loss with heat production -The body generates heat primarily through the conversion of food to energy, also by muscle contractions during exercise and shivering -When the body gets too hot, blood vessels near the skin dilate or widen to bring more blood to the surface allowing heat to escape -When the body is cold the opposite occurs -When constriction of blood vessels fails to keep the body warm, the body shivers to produce heat -The body is cooled by sweat evaporating or by air moving over the skin

heat exhaustion

-Is the early stage and most common form of heat related illness -Typically occurs after long periods of exercise in the heat -Common in athletes, construction workers, fire fighters and factory workers -Signals: Cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin- Headache, nausea, dizziness- Weakness, exhaustion- Heavy sweating -Can usually be reversed with prompt care

sudden illness

-May result from a condition that has a rapid and intense onset and then subsides quickly -Or it may result from persistent condition over a long period of time -Sudden illnesses you may encounter: Fainting, Diabetic emergencies, Seizures, Stroke, Heart attack shock -What to do?: Do no further harm, Monitor the patient's ABCs, Help them rest comfortably, Keep them warm, but not hot, Reassure them, keep them calm, Give the specific care they may need

absorbed poison

-Millions of people suffer irritating effects of brushing against a poisonous plant -Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac -In most of these cases EMS is not needed unless the patient is having a severe allergic reaction that is creating a difficult or stressful situation for them -Chemicals of the skin: if the chemical is a dry powder, brush off (with a gloved hand) what you can and then rinse for 10-20 minutes with water -If the chemical is wet: rinse the area with large amounts of water for 20 minutes -If the chemical is dry or wet and is on clothing, you may need to remove the clothing. Remember to be discrete for the patient

ingested poison

-Most common ingested poisoning is food borne illness -Nearly 76 million people suffer food poisoning each year -Food poisoning symptoms begin about 1-48 hours after eating -Do not induce vomiting unless instructed -In most food illness cases, you will be instructed to so the bacterial cannot be absorbed in the small intestine -If the person swallowed a caustic or corrosive you may be instructed to give the patient water to help dilute the poison -Vomiting these agents can cause further damage to the esophagus on the way back up

snakes

-Of the estimated 7000 to 8000 people reported bitten by poisonous snakes annually in the United States, fewer than five die -Four kinds of poisonous snakes found in the United States -Rattlesnakes- Account for most bites and deaths -Copper head -Water moccasin (cotton mouth) -Coral snake -identify by picture

tick treatment

-Once again, remove the tick from the skin if you see it -You may need tweezers or a pointed object -Do not burn the tick off -Do not put petroleum jelly or nail polish on the tick -Save the tick once you get it off, so it can be analyzed for type and if it is carrying any diseases -Clean the wound with soap and water -Apply Neosporin and bandages, see a doctor to be on the safe side

fainting

-One of the most common sudden illnesses you will encounter -Also called "syncope" -It is partial or complete LOC -Caused by a temporary reduction in blood to the brain -Triggered by emotional stress excessive pain, some medical conditions related to the heart, standing for long periods of time -Fainting is a form of shock, so be aware of the signs -Care: Usually a self-correcting condition, if you can get to them before they fall, attempt to help them to the floor so they don't hurt themselves, Lay them on their back and raise their legs 12", Loosen tight clothing (scarves, ties, belts), Check them for injury, If LOC does not resolve, quickly call 911

signals of snake bites

-One or two distinct puncture wounds, which may or may not bleed -The exception is the coral snake, whose teeth leave a semicircular mark -Severe pain and burning at the wound site immediately after or within four hours of the incident -Swelling and discoloration at the wound site immediately after or within four hours of the incident

hypothermia

-Out of the cold -Take wet clothing off, add layers on -Warm packs on head, armpits, groin, behind legs -Warm sips of water -Try to warm up slowly -Don't just throw them in hot water, don't submerge!

heat cramps

-Painful spasms of the skeletal muscle -Usually affect the legs, and the abdomen, and can occur in any voluntary muscle -Exact cause is unknown. But believed to be a combination of fluid and salt loss due to heavy sweating -Develop rapidly and usually occur during or after heavy exercise in heat -Rest, light stretching, and fluid intake are usually enough to help the body recover

wood ticks and dog ticks

-Rocky mountain spotted fever -Spotted rash on wrists, ankles then spreading to the rest of the body -Fever, chills, head ache, joint pain, muscle ache -Early treatment is needed or the kidneys will begin to shut down -Other names: black fever, mountain fever, tick fever, spotted fever, pinta fever -Season: spring-summer

domestic and wild animal bites

-The bite of a domestic wild animal carries the risk of infection, as well as soft tissue injury -Dog bites are the most common -Illness of concern: rabies, tetanus -Care: clean bite thoroughly with soap and water, and apply antibacterial ointment and cover with bandage, refer to doctor if necessary

frostbite

-The freezing of body tissues -Depends on: air temperature, length of exposure, wind -Can be superficial or deep- Superficial occurs when the skin is frozen but the tissues below are not- Deep involves the freezing of the skin and the underlying tissues -Body cells are damages or destroyed when fluid in and between the cells freezes and swells -Signals: Lack of feeling, Skin appears waxy, Skin is cold to touch, Skin that is discolored (flushed, white, yellow, blue)

heatstroke

-The least common but most severe -Most often occurs in people who are ignoring other symptoms -Develops when the body's regulating systems are overtaxed -Sweating often stops because body fluids are too low -Signals: Red, hot, dry skin- Changes in LOC- Vomiting

spiders

-There are very few spiders in the US that can cause death -However, the black widow and brown recluse can make you seriously ill, in some cases, fatal -How to identify: will have to identify on test -Black widow: hour glass shaped, red spot on underbody -Brown recluse: light brown spider with a darker brown violin shape on top of its body -Where they live: Dark, out of the way places where they are seldom disturbed

factors effecting body temperature regulation

-Three main things: air temperature, humidity, wind -Clothing -Breaks during heat exposure and cold exposure -Water intake -Who's at risk: -People who work strenuously in heat or cold environments -Elderly -Young children -Predisposing health conditions (Cardiovascular) -People who have suffered from this in the past -People on medications to help eliminate water from body

care for heat related emergencies

-Time is of the essence -The longer heat illness goes untreated, the worse the condition becomes -If you recognize early: Cool the body, Give fluids, Take steps to minimize shock, Rest comfortably, and monitor the patient for worsening conditions, be ready to call 911 -In late stages: Call 91, Cool the body quickly with the means you have (Be careful though, too fast can cause acute hypothermia), Monitor the patient until EMS arrive, Be prepared for CPR

human bites

-Very common -There are 42 known species of bacteria that have been reported in human saliva, so it is not surprising that serious infection often follows a human bite -Care: clean bite thoroughly with soap and water and apply antibacterial ointment and cover with bandage. Refer to doctor if necessary

seizures

-When normal functions of the brain are disrupted by injury, disease, fever, poisoning or infection the electrical activity of the brain becomes irregular -Epilepsy: a chronic epileptic condition- Usually controlled with medication -What the victim describes: they experience an aura or abnormal sensation or feeling, some say they hallucinate, hear strange sounds, tastes or smells -Seizures usually last from 1 to 3 minutes -What to do: Protect the victim from injury if in convulsions, Maintain an airway as best as possible, Do not under any circumstance put something in their mouth -When the victim comes to they may be drowsy and disoriented and will need to rest -Most seizure patients are fine and recover quickly but be on the look-out for injuries that occurred during the tremor -Types: -Febrile: usually seen in children who have a sudden rise in body temperature -FYI: petimal seizures and grandmal seizures

heat and cold emergencies

-When the body is overwhelmed in its attempt to regulate body temperature, a heat or cold related emergency can occur -A heat or cold related emergency can happen anywhere, inside or outside -Signals of heat or cold related emergencies are progressive and can quickly become life threatening -Clothing and the environment play a large contributor to the individuals susceptibility

diabetes

-a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or stops production completely -18.2 Million Americans have this condition -Can be linked to kidney, heart, periodontal disease and stroke -Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, it is needed for sugar to pass into the cells -Types of diabetes -Type I: body produces little or no insulin -Type II: body produces insulin but does not sue it effectively, or too little insulin is produced

diabetic emergencies

-a situation in which the patient becomes ill due to blood sugar imbalance, whether blood sugar levels be high or low -Hyperglycemia: high blood sugar- Because blood sugar is high (sugar is not being used effectively) the body begins to break down other energy sources such as fat. This can lead to other life threatening conditions called diabetic ketoacidosis- If this condition is not treated quickly then the patient will go into diabetic coma (too much blood sugar) -Patient may be acting as if they are drunk -Hypoglycemia: low blood sugar- Can be low due to too much insulin, Inadequate diet, Over exercise, Emotional stress- In this situation, blood sugar is being used too fast, Leaving insulin levels too high, resulting in insulin shock -Care: -When in doubt of the patient's condition, give them sugar -If there is no improvement in symptoms, you know that the patient needs insulin

care for elapid bites

-coral snake -Difference between elapid and pit bite: after you wash it, you should apply an elastic roller bandage -Care for a bit from an elapid snake, such as a coral snake, is the same for a pit viper, except that after washing the wound, you should apply an elastic roller bandage

care for pit viper bites

-rattlesnake, copper head, cotton mouth -Call 911 or the local emergency number -Wash the wound -Keep the injured area still and lower than the heart -If possible, carry a person who must be taken to a medical facility or have him or her walk slowly -Do not apply ice -Do not cut the wound -Do not apply suction -Do not apply a tourniquet -Do not use electric shock, such as from a car battery

deer tick

-very tiny and hard to see -in late spring, early summer -The tick will attach itself to deer or field mice -But general rule of thumb is that it will attach itself to any warm blooded animal -Be aware in the wooded grassy areas -Lyme disease -Greatest risk of being bitten is from May to July -Starts as a rash- Then spreads out 6-8 inches- In fair skinned people, the center will be lighter, in dark skinned people it will look like a bruise -Other signals: Fever, chills, Headaches, Weakness, fatigue, Flu like joint pain -In advanced stages can cause: Arthritis, Numbness, Memory loss, Vision and hearing problems, Brain or nervous system damage, Irregular heart beat