This emergency device delivers an electrical shock to the heart in an attempt to restore a normal heartbeat.
What is a defibrillator?
A patient suddenly faints or “passes out.”
What is syncope?
The right lung has this many lobes.
What is three?
This chronic respiratory disease commonly causes shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing.
What is asthma?
Before irrigating a patient's eye to remove a foreign body, the MA should do this first.
What is wash their hands?
This simple test measures the amount of air a patient exhales and is commonly used to help manage asthma.
What is peak flow rate?
These are the “3 Cs” to remember when responding to an emergency.
What are Check, Call, and Care?
A patient is breathing rapidly and deeply, causing too much carbon dioxide to be expelled.
What is hyperventilation?
These tiny branches of the bronchi carry air deeper into the lungs.
What are bronchioles?
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two conditions associated with this chronic lung disease.
What is COPD?
If a person feels faint but has not yet lost consciousness, have the person sit and place their head here.
What is between their knees?
This test evaluates lung function and requires a minimum of three “blows.”
What is spirometry?
This color-coded measuring tape helps determine appropriate emergency equipment and medication dosing for children.
What is Broselow tape?
Face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty should make you suspect this neurologic emergency.
What is a stroke/CVA?
During this phase of breathing, the diaphragm contracts, pulls downward, and flattens.
What is inspiration?
Loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness are classic symptoms of this disorder.
What is sleep apnea?
During an asthma attack, help the patient into this position rather than having them lie flat.
What is a comfortable sitting position?
This small machine turns liquid medication into a fine spray that the patient inhales.
What is a nebulizer?
In a code situation, at least one healthcare team member should be assigned this important responsibility.
What is documenting everything that occurs?
A diabetic patient’s blood glucose has dropped too low, possibly because of too much insulin.
What is hypoglycemia/insulin shock?
This type of respiration occurs when oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between body cells and the blood.
What is internal respiration?
A bad cough lasting three or more weeks can be a sign of this bacterial respiratory disease.
What is pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)?
You suspect poisoning. Unless Poison Control specifically tells you otherwise, you should NEVER make the patient do this.
What is vomit?
This device attaches to the mouthpiece of a metered-dose inhaler and slows the delivery of medication.
What is a spacer?
These statutes may protect a caregiver who provides emergency assistance away from the workplace, but they do not apply to care given at your place of employment.
What are Good Samaritan statutes?
A patient has chest pain, cold sweats, and heartburn-like symptoms; you should call 911 within five minutes of the onset of pain.
What is a myocardial infarction (MI)?
Hyperventilation lowers carbon dioxide and bicarbonate levels, causing body pH to rise and producing this acid-base disorder.
What is respiratory alkalosis?
Sudden unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid breathing, and hemoptysis may indicate this life-threatening complication of a DVT.
What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
A choking patient can still speak and cough. This indicates this type of airway obstruction.
What is a partial airway obstruction?
When administering this respiratory treatment, the MA must remember that it is considered a medication and requires a provider's order for both the amount and the method of administration.
What is oxygen?