Triage
Explain the importance of triaging in mass casualty incidents.
It ensures that those who need immediate care receive it first, maximizing survival rates.
What are the signs of a possible ectopic pregnancy?
Abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and shoulder pain.
What are the signs of respiratory distress in a child?
Increased work of breathing, nasal flaring, grunting, and retractions.
Describe the difference between an open and closed fracture.
An open fracture breaks the skin, while a closed fracture does not.
What are the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose?
Pinpoint pupils, coma, decreased respirations
What colors are typically used in the START triage system and what do they represent?
Red (immediate), yellow (delayed), green (minor), and black (deceased).
Describe the Apgar scoring system and its components.
The Apgar score assesses a newborn's health based on Appearance, Pulse, Grimace response, Activity, and Respiration.
What is the most common cause of fever in infants under three months?
Infections, often requiring immediate medical evaluation.
What are the signs of internal bleeding?
Signs include abdominal pain, bruising, and hypotension.
What is the significance of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?
It assesses a patient's level of consciousness based on eye, verbal, and motor responses.
According to the National ICS, what is a person's manageable span of control?
3-7
What are the typical signs of preterm labor?
Regular contractions, lower back pain, and pelvic pressure before 37 weeks of gestation.
What are the signs and symptoms of epiglottitis?
A severe sudden sore throat, difficulty swallowing and breathing, drooling, and a muffled voice. A high-pitched sound when breathing in, known as stridor.
Explain the signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax.
Severe shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, and a racing heart. Signs include low blood oxygen levels, low blood pressure, and an altered mental status. Tracheal deviation away from the affected side, decreased or absent breath sounds. In severe cases, cyanosis (bluish skin) and distended neck veins may be present.
What is the primary treatment for an insulin overdose?
Administer glucose to the patient and monitor vital signs closely.
Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) relies on what three physiologic parameters to prioritize the medical treatment and transport of patients?
Respiration, pulse, mental status
What are the signs of placenta previa?
Painless vaginal bleeding in the third trimester.
What are the signs and symptoms of croup?
Croup is a condition that causes swelling in the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea), leading to symptoms like a barking cough, hoarseness, and noisy breathing. These symptoms are often worse at night and can last for 3 to 5 days.
What is the appropriate response to a suspected spinal injury?
Stabilize the head and neck, and avoid moving the patient unless absolutely necessary.
What are the symptoms of a stroke, and how should an EMT respond?
Sudden weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, and facial droop; transport immediately and notify the receiving facility.
In order to quickly sort patients during an MCI event into categories, what should you do when you arrive on scene to sort the Priority 3 or Green patients?
Make an announcement to your "walking wounded" to move to a nearby location you have deemed safe.
How do you manage prolapsed cord presentation in a delivery?
Instruct mother to pant through contractions. Ensuring the mother is in a position to relieve pressure on the cord, such as the knee-chest position or Trendelenburg position, and immediately contact ALS and receiving hospital. Attempt to manually lift the presenting part of the baby above the prolapsed cord to prevent compression.
They increase their heart rate to increase cardiac output.
Explain signs of increasing ICP in a suspected head injury?
Bradycardia, irregular respirations, hypertension.
What are signs and symptoms of cholecystitis?
Cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, can manifest with a variety of symptoms, most commonly intense pain in the upper right abdomen, which may radiate to the right shoulder. Other signs include fever, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and light-colored stools may also occur.