syncope
fainting
neurogenic shock
caused by damage to upper spinal cord
hyperglycemia
excessive sugar in the blood
Develops gradually over a period of hours or days
• Excessive thirst and urination, dry mucosa, rapid and deep
breathing, drowsiness, and confusion
• Insulin required—leads to diabetic coma if left untreated
what are the symptoms of a head injury (2) and deteriorating head injury symptoms (4)
1. hematoma
2. brain swelling
--deteriorating head injury
Irritability
o Lethargic
o Slowing pulse rate
o Slow respiratory rate
Common Signs and Symptoms of Shock
(6)
● Restlessness
● Apprehension or general anxiety
● Tachycardia
● Decreasing blood pressure
● Cold and clammy skin
● Pallor
epistaxis
nosebleed
hypovolemic shock
caused by blood loss
hypoglycemia
excessive insulin present
• Can occur if patient takes normal dose of insulin and does not eat (exam preparation)
• Signs of insulin shock
• Patients often recognize early signs and need a quick form of carbohydrate or take a glucose tablet.
What Constitutes an Emergency?
Any situation in which the
condition of a patient or a sudden
change in medical status requires
immediate action
Diabetes
• Healthy patient adjusts own insulin production and excretion to meet carbohydrate demands of the body.
• Patients with diabetes may be treated with insulin shot or diabetic pills and will need to adjust diet to balance insulin depending on whether they are type 1 or type 2.
vertigo
dizziness
vasogenic shock
caused by sepsis or anaphylaxis
roles as a medical imaging technician in an emergency (4)
1. preserve life
2. avoid further harm to patient
3. obtain appropriate medical assistance ASAP
4. must be able to recognize emergency situation and intake emergency measures
Emergency Priorities
(6)
• Ensure open airway.
• Control bleeding.
• Take measures to prevent or treat shock.
• Attend to wounds or fractures.
• Provide emotional support.
• Continually reevaluate and follow up appropriately.
Seizures
• Unsystematic discharge of neurons of the cerebrum that results in an abrupt alteration in brain function
• Accompanied by change in level of consciousness
• Generally a symptom of an underlying condition
• Take note of seizure event.
• Begins with little or no warning
o Patient may feel an “aura” as a precursor.
urticaria
hives
aura
sensation or motor phenomenon that precedes the onset of an epileptic event
common with seizures
what are the 2 types of AED
fully automatic
semi automatic
Deteriorating Situations during procedure
signs (5) and response (5)
Signs
• Sudden irritability
• Lethargy
• Slowing pulse rate
• Slowing respiratory rate
• Change in level of consciousness (LOC)
Response
• Maintain an open airway
• Move patient minimally
• Stop radiographic procedure
• Get medical assistance ASAP
• Monitor patient’s vital signs
cardiogenic shock
caused by cardiac disorder or heart failure
stroke aka Cerebrovascular Accident
what is it?
what is the warning sign?
what position should they be put in?
sudden paralysis on one side of the body and slurred speech
Commonly called a stroke or brain attack
• More likely to occur in older patients (over 75
years of age) but can occur in any adult
• May develop gradually or suddenly
• Warning signs:
• Loss of consciousness may necessitate CPR.
• Patient needs to be placed in recumbent
position ASAP.
list levels of consciousness (4)
1. alert and conscious
2. drowsy but responsive upon stimulus
3. unconscious and reacts to painful stimulus
4. comatose- unresponsive to all stimulus
Anaphylactic Shock
connected to what other shock?
• Vasogenic shock
• Most common type of shock encountered in medical imaging
• May occur with contrast media administration
• Signs and symptoms must be monitored as routine procedure
with contrast studies.
• Alert physician when signs occur.