Body
What is an abdominal evisceration and how do you treat it?
An abdominal evisceration occurs when internal organs protrude through an open wound in the abdomen.
Treatment: Do not push the organs back in. Cover with a moist, sterile dressing, then cover that with an occlusive dressing to keep moisture in.
What steps should be taken to treat a snakebite?
Keep the patient calm and still to slow the spread of venom.
Immobilize the affected limb at or slightly below heart level.
Remove tight clothing or jewelry near the bite area.
Clean the bite gently, but do not cut, suck, tightly wrap, or apply ice.
Name three different types of presentation during birth.
Breech: Baby is feet- or buttocks-first, which can complicate vaginal delivery.
Prolapsed cord: The umbilical cord slips ahead of the baby, potentially cutting off oxygen supply.
Shoulder dystocia: Baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery, making birth difficult.
What organs are found in RUQ of the abdomen?
Right Upper Quadrant: Liver, gallbladder, part of the pancreas, right kidney, and portions of the intestines.
What is the classification of a trauma when a foreign object is impaled in a patient?
It is classified as a penetrating trauma, which occurs when an object breaks through the skin and enters the body, causing injury to underlying tissues or organs.
Name the three anatomical layers of the skin.
Epidermis – the outer protective layer.
Dermis – the middle layer containing blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles.
Subcutaneous (hypodermis) layer – the innermost layer of fat and connective tissue that cushions and insulates the body.
Why do we place late stage pregnancy patients on their left side?
To relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava, improve blood return to the heart, and enhance circulation to both mother and fetus, reducing the risk of hypotension and decreased fetal perfusion.
How do you use the APGAR scale?
The APGAR scale assesses a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth by scoring five criteria—Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex response), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort).
Each category is scored 0–2, for a total score of 0–10.
7–10: Generally normal, no intervention needed.
4–6: May need assistance with breathing or stimulation.
0–3: Requires immediate resuscitation and advanced care.
What organs are found in LUQ of the abdomen?
Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ): Stomach, spleen, part of the pancreas, left kidney, and portions of the intestines.
What do you do if you hear air escaping from the chest? (chests should not make noise)
Cover the wound with an occlusive dressing (like a plastic wrap or specialized chest seal) to prevent air from entering the chest cavity.
If possible, tape it on three sides to allow trapped air to escape while preventing more from entering, and monitor for signs of tension pneumothorax during transport.
What is some of your biggest concerns with any blunt trauma injury?
Organ damage (e.g., spleen, liver, kidneys).
Spinal injuries that could affect movement or breathing.
Airway or breathing compromise if the chest or head is involved.
You have given your patient nitroglycerin. What is a possible side effect?
Headache, dizziness, or a drop in blood pressure (hypotension). Patients may also feel flushed or lightheaded.
When the baby has crowned, what would be a good next step for the EMR to take?
Support the baby’s head as it emerges, guide the head gently to prevent rapid expulsion, and check for any umbilical cord around the neck. Be prepared to support the shoulders and rest of the body as the baby is delivered.
What organs are found in RLQ of the abdomen?
Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): Appendix, right ureter, part of the intestines, and reproductive organs (right ovary and fallopian tube in females).
What can become a life threat at a moments notice?
Any airway problem, severe bleeding, or breathing difficulty can become life-threatening within moments and requires immediate attention and intervention.
What extra steps should be taken with patients of a gunshot wound or lightning strike?
Look for the entry and exit wounds.
What is a reliable sign of a spinal cord injury?
Loss of sensation or motor function (paralysis) below the level of injury is a reliable sign, often accompanied by pain, tingling, or loss of bladder/bowel control.
What do we use for a newborn to assist with extreme breathing difficulties?
Positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) using a bag-valve-mask or neonatal resuscitation device, providing gentle breaths to help the newborn establish effective respiration.
What organs are found in LLQ of the abdomen?
Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ): Part of the intestines, left ureter, and reproductive organs (left ovary and fallopian tube in females).
You have a patient that appears to have frostbite on their fingers and toes. What do you do?
Move the patient to a warm environment, remove wet clothing, and protect the affected areas from further cold or friction.
Do not rub or massage the skin, and do not let them walk. If possible, wrap the areas loosely in dry, sterile dressings and transport for medical care.
What is the best position for a patient with a potential evisceration?
Place the patient in a supine position with knees bent (flexed) if possible. This position helps reduce abdominal muscle tension, relieve pressure on the wound, and minimize further injury.
You have a patient with a hole in their chest. You can hear air escaping. What do you do?
Temporarily cover the chest wound with a gloved hand until an occlusive dressing can be properly applied.
What the the best indicator that birth is imminent.
Crowning, when the baby’s head becomes visible at the vaginal opening, is the most reliable sign that delivery is about to occur.
Why do we have to take special care of a childs' airway?
Children have smaller, more flexible airways that can obstruct easily, and their tongue is proportionally larger. They also tire quickly during respiratory distress, so airway obstruction can become life-threatening faster than in adults.
Care should be taken to help avoid what cardiac condition in hypothermic patients.
Ventricular fibrillation — rough handling or sudden movements can trigger this life-threatening heart rhythm in severely hypothermic patients. Always handle gently and limit movement during care and transport.