Emergency Care -- Chapter 19
To determine possible stroke, what is a patient often asked to say?
"You can't teach an old dog new tricks"
What are the bodies response mechanisms when it is the fight-or-flight mode?
--increase pulse --increase respirations --elevated blood pressure --constricted pupils
What is the bodies response to someone who is hyperglycemic?
--increase urination --nausea --excessive thirst and hunger
List the causes of hypoglycemia?
--takes too much insulin --overexercises --vomits a meal --increases metabolic rate by fever or shivering
What three items are evaluated in the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale?
1. Facial droop 2. Arm Drift 3. Speech
How many hours does a patient have to receive a clot-buster?
3
What is the normal blood glucose range for an adult?
60-140
What do patients experience before a seizure?
AURA -- a sensation that patient has -- could be a smell, sound, or general feeling
What are the differences between hypoglycemcia and hyperglycemia? signs and symptoms
In hypoglycemia, the cells are STARVING for sugar, quick onset In hyperglycemia, the body has to much sugar, fruity smell
What is the difference between a TIA and a stroke?
a TIA will have a complete resolution of their symptoms without treatment with 24 hours
What is thrombolytic?
a clot-busting drug
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
a condition that occurs as the in hyperglycemic patients in which excessive dehydration occurs and starving body cells begin to burn fats and proteins that result in excessive waste products being released into the system
What is the definition of status epilepticus?
a prolonged seizure or situation when a person suffers two or more convulsive seizures without regaining full consciousness
What is an ischemic stroke?
a stroke caused by a blockage in which a clot or embolism occludes an artery
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
a stroke caused by bleeding into the brain
What is receptive aphasia?
a symptom of a stroke in which the patient will speak clearly but have no understanding of what you are saying.
What is the treatment within the scope of practice of an EMT for a patient with a diabetic emergency?
administering oral glucose
What is epilepsy?
an umbrella term used when a person has multiple seizures from an unknown cause
What is used to describe difficulty in speaking or understanding speech as a result of a stroke?
aphasia
What is the action of insulin?
binds to the glucose to help transfer glucose from the blood across cell membranes into the cells
What are the syptoms of hyperglycemia?
develops over days or weeks / altered mental status / chronic thirst or hunger / nausea / dehydration / shock / rapid respirations / dropping blood pressure / fruity smell
What is Type 1 diabetes?
does not have enough insulin in his system to transfer glucose into the cells -- would be prescribed insulin
What is a typical cause of seizures in a pregnant woman?
eclampsia (a severe complication of pregnancy)
What is the best known of the conditions that result in seizures?
epilepsy
What is syncope?
fainting
What is a typical cause of seizures in children 6 months to 3 years of age?
high fever (febrile seizures)
What is a transient ischemic attack? (TIA)
it is a ministroke -- has typical signs and symptoms of a stroke
What is the role of glucose in the body?
it is the body's basic energy source
What is Type 2 diabetes?
occurs when the body's cells fail to use the insulin properly -- can control it with diet or medications
What is one of the most common signs of a stroke?
one-sided weakness
What 3 substances are needed for the reticular activating system (RAS) to work correctly?
oxygen / glucose / water
What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?
rapid onset / mimics a drunker stupor / altered mental status / fight-or-flight / pale, cool, sweaty skin / tachycardia / rapid breathing / seizures
What is the medical term for fainting?
syncope
What standardized test is used to evaluate a potential stroke?
the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
The factors cause dizziness and syncope are generally related to what?
the brain
What is the treatment for an unresponsive diabetic patient?
treat like any other patient with altered mental status --call ALS --secure the airway and provide ventilations --be prepared to perform CPR
How long could a TIA last?
up to 24 hours
What is a common cause of most strokes?
when a blockage occurs in which a clot or embolism occludes an artery (ischemic stroke)
