Signs / Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms of a stroke.
Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side.
Confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech. Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Facial droop (one side of the face may sag)
What is the first responder’s responsibility when caring for a patient having a seizure?
Move nearby objects away from patient to prevent injury.
Do not restrain the patient. let the seizure run its course. Do not put anything in the mouth and monitor the airway and breathing
Provide care after the seizure ends
Name the 5 routes of transmission and explain.
Direct contact — spread by touching an infected person or their body fluids.
Indirect contact — spread by touching a contaminated object or surface.
Droplet transmission — spread by respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking.
Airborne transmission — spread by tiny particles that stay in the air and can be breathed in.
Vector-borne transmission — spread by insects or animals, such as mosquitoes or ticks.
Define exposure.
Exposure: Initial contact with a substance or condition that might cause injury, illness, or harm.
You have been taking care of a patient that appeared to be having a seizure. When the seizure has ended, the patient appears to be confused and tired. What is this called?
The postictal stage: the period after a seizure when the patient may be confused, tired, sleepy, or unresponsive as the brain recovers.
S/S of a
Migraine headache
Tension headache
A migraine is usually a throbbing headache with nausea, light sensitivity, and sometimes visual changes.
A tension headache is a mild to moderate headache with a tight, pressing pain, often from stress or muscle tension.
What is one of the most obvious signs that indicates a patient has a fracture?
Deformity of the limb or affected area (bone looks out of place, bent, or twisted)
Name the routes of poisoning and how they occur.
Inhalation — breathed into the lungs
Ingestion — swallowed into the digestive system
Absorption — taken in through the skin or mucous membranes
Injection — enters through a needle, bite, or sting
Define the following:
Absence seizure
Generalized seizure
Absence seizure: a brief seizure that causes a short period of staring or unresponsiveness, usually lasting only a few seconds.
Generalized seizure: a seizure that begins in both sides of the brain at the same time and usually affects the entire body. Common symptoms: Loss of consciousness/Muscle stiffening/Rhythmic jerking movements
A patient is covered with a dry pesticide covering his body including his arms and chest. What do we do?
Brush off the dry powder then dilute the areas with water for an extended period of time.
S/S of a meningitis/encephalitis. (brain infections)
Headache – often severe.
Fever – elevated body temperature.
Neck stiffness (moving chin to chest)
Sensitivity to light
Confusion, drowsiness, or altered mental status
What is our best patient care when moving a patient with a non traumatic hip injury.
Extra care must be taken when doing any movement or lifting to avoid additional injury.
Describe the medical acronym DUMBELS.
DUMBELS is a medical acronym used to remember the common signs of organophosphate or nerve agent poisoning.
Define the following:
Partial seizure
Status epilepticus
Partial seizure: localized symptoms, such as unusual movements, sensations, or changes in awareness. Often remains conscious.
Status epilepticus: a prolonged seizure or repeated seizures without the patient regaining consciousness in between.
Patient has a severe bleeding injury. You have managed the wound appropriately with a tourniquet.
What else needs to be done for good patient care?
Put the patient in a supine position and give a blanket to keep them warm and prevent shock.
An elderly patient presents confused, dizzy, and listless. They present to you a multitude of medications. What could be the cause of their symptoms?
Elderly can get confused on when, where, or if they have properly taken their medications. The cause could be a medication error producing unusual side effects.
When dealing with paranoia and hearing voices, what is our best plan of action/support of this patient?
Give support, be calm, supportive, listen and keep a safe distance. Do not play along with the delusions.
What does each letter in DUMBELS stand for?
D – Diarrhea: increased intestinal activity leads to watery stools.
U – Urination: excessive urination due to bladder muscle stimulation.
M – Miosis: constricted pupils from parasympathetic stimulation.
B – Bradycardia/Bronchospasm: slow heart rate and narrowing of airways.
E – Emesis: vomiting from gastrointestinal irritation.
L – Lacrimation: excessive tearing from eye irritation.
S – Salivation/Sweating: increased secretions from salivary and sweat glands.
Define:
Lactic Acid
Pathological fracture
A chemical your muscles make during extreme exercise that can cause burning and fatigue.
A bone break that occurs in a bone weakened by disease, rather than from a significant injury or trauma.
Your patient has fallen from the roof of his barn. You don't see any bleeding but feel some depression when palpating his head. What is this injury?
Closed head injury.
A patient involved in trauma was alert but is now confused and responses have become slower. You are concerned about this change in mental status. What could be the cause?
Increased pressure on the brain.
What is the treatment for nerve agent poisoning and who should receive it.
Duo-dote is the medication used as an antidote for nerve gas poisoning. First responders including self are recipient of the duodote by IM.
Name and explain the various types of bleeding.
Arterial: bright red, spurting.
Venous: dark red, steady flow.
Capillary: slow oozing.
External: visible outside.
Internal: hidden, signs include pain, swelling, increased heart rate/breathing rate, nausea.
Name the types of burns and how they appear.
First-degree burn (superficial)
Affects only the outer layer of skin (epidermis)
Appearance: red, dry, painful, no blisters
Example: mild sunburn
Second-degree burn (partial thickness)
Affects epidermis and part of the dermis
Appearance: red, moist, blisters, very painful
Can cause swelling
Third-degree burn (full thickness)
Destroys all layers of skin and may reach underlying tissues
Appearance: white, brown, black, or charred; leathery; usually painless due to nerve damage
Requires medical attention
Fourth-degree burn
Extends through skin into muscle, bone, or tendons
Appearance: black, charred, dry; underlying structures may be visible
Very serious, often requires surgery or amputation
1st degree: red, painful, no blisters (superficial)
2nd degree: red, blistered, very painful (partial thickness)
3rd degree: white/black, leathery, often painless (full thickness)
4th degree: black, charred, into muscle/bone (Extends through skin into muscle, bone, or tendons)
You have a trauma patient that is verbally responsive, pale in color and breathing at 7 times a minute. What is your first treatment.
Initiate assisted breathing using spinal precaution devices.