Holy Acronyms
The "A" in ABC
Airway
The appropriate dose for acetylsalicylic acid in an adult patient with chest pain.
324mg (4x81mg)
The heart has this many chambers, no secrets are kept here.
4
BGL: 48 mg/dl
Hypoglycemia
Any patient with a suspected head or neck injury should be wearing this.
Cervical Collar
We use this acronym to assist us in gathering the history of the present illness.
OPQRST(I)
2.5mg in 3mL of water
Albuterol
60-100
The normal resting heart rate range for an adult.
Shortness of breath, hives and nausea after a PB&J.
Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)
First intervention in bleeding control.
Direct Pressure
For past pertinent history or fill yourself up on Costco freebies.
SAMPLE
For an alert diabetic, or an alien lifeform that kills your husband and makes demands in your kitchen.
Oral Glucose
About an inch in diameter and a foot long, this begins at the left ventricle.
Aorta
Rales, shortness of breath lying flat and pedal edema.
CHF
Tool used for a mid-shaft femur fracture.
Traction Splint
15's a charm, 3 is a bad day.
Glasgow Coma Score (GCS)
The route of administration of epinephrin for an anaphylactic reaction, not an AOL pickup line.
IM (Intra-muscular)
The primary, natural pacemaker.
Sino-Atrial Node (SA)
The term for tissue or organ death due to a block in blood flow, like in a heart attack.
Infarction
Using your hand to brace after a fall is a common cause of fracture to one or both of these bones in the lower arm.
Radius and Ulna
Two parts, if you're not careful the second part might be confused with a Korean boy band. Checking for trauma.
DCAP-BTLS
0.5mg, can tag team with another drug to make an asthma kicking duo.
Ipatropium Bromide (Atrovent)
Also referred to as the bicuspid valve.
Mitral Valve
Hypotension, JVD and Muffled Heart Sounds
Beck's Triad (Cardiac Tamponade)
An injury to the spinal cord or brain can cause widespread blood vessel dilation resulting in this.
Neurogenic/Distributive Shock