Cardiac
This 58-year-old male calls 911 for sudden onset chest pain that began 30 minutes prior to arrival. He describes the pain as a heavy pressure in the center of his chest that radiates to his left arm and jaw. He is diaphoretic and nauseated.
Past medical history includes hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type II diabetes. He is a current smoker with a 30-pack-year history.
Vital Signs:
• BP: 156/94
• HR: 104, regular
• RR: 22
• SpO₂: 94% on room air
• Skin: cool, pale, diaphoretic
Lung sounds are clear bilaterally. Heart tones are regular without murmurs. A 12-lead ECG shows ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.
This adult patient is using accessory muscles, speaking in short phrases, has expiratory wheezes, and an SpO₂ of 89% on room air.
Condition and Treatment
What is asthma and inhalers?
What is the most common type of back injury encountered by EMS professionals, often resulting from lifting or moving patients improperly?
What is a lumbar strain or sprain?
What is the primary purpose of an LVAD?
What is to assist the heart in pumping blood, typically in patients with severe heart failure?
A 65-year-old male presents with sudden onset abdominal pain described as tearing, radiating to the back, and has an increased blood pressure reading. What condition should EMS suspect?
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
This medication should be given early unless contraindicated to reduce platelet aggregation.
What is aspirin?
This intervention should be initiated when a patient has inadequate respirations despite small amounts of oxygen therapy.
What is positive pressure ventilation with a BVM?
Which patient should be placed on a backboard?
What is a critical intervention for a paramedic to perform if an LVAD patient presents with low blood pressure and altered mental status?
What is to assess the LVAD for alarms and ensure the device is functioning, then provide appropriate transport?
This device is applied proximal to a wound on a limb to control severe, life-threatening hemorrhage when direct pressure is ineffective.
What is a tourniquet?
These are the three priority prehospital interventions that should occur within the first 10 minutes of patient contact.
What are aspirin administration, oxygen if indicated, and acquisition of a 12-lead ECG with rapid transport/notification?
This 4-year-old presents with drooling, tripod positioning, muffled voice, and inspiratory stridor. Symptoms began rapidly and the child appears toxic.
What is epiglottitis?
What device should be used for a conscious adult with suspected spinal injury?
What is the backboard/collar?
What is an important consideration for EMS providers when transporting a patient with an LVAD?
What is the power source?
1. In a mass casualty incident, a patient who is unable to follow simple commands, is in respiratory distress, and has no radial pulse would be assigned this color tag.
2. In a mass casualty incident, a patient who is alert, has a patent airway, and is breathing adequately, but is unable to walk due to a suspected isolated femur fracture, would be assigned this color tag.
What is a red tag?
What is a yellow tag?
The patient becomes increasingly altered and weak. His chest pain persists. Shortness of breath when walks
Repeat Vital Signs:
• BP: 78/46
• HR: 118, weak and thready
• RR: 26
• SpO₂: 90% on 4 L NC
• Skin: cool, mottled, diaphoretic, pitting edema
Lung sounds wet. Jugular veins are distended.
Condition:
What is Congestive Heart Failure?
This 2-year-old has a barking cough, inspiratory stridor at rest, and worsened symptoms when agitated.
Condition and treatment
What is croup and racemic epi?
After a car accident, the car seat of a child has been rendered unusable. What is the recommended method for immobilizing the child during transport to ensure their safety?
What is a pediatric backboard, extra car seat?
What should never be performed on a LVAD patient?
What is swimming and baths?
For a patient who is found unresponsive with pinpoint pupils and severe respiratory depression, this is the medication administered to reverse the effects of their suspected opioid overdose.
What is Narcan (naloxone)?
This is the first and most important action an EMT should take when a chest pain patient suddenly becomes unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless
“What is immediately starting high-quality CPR?”
This adult patient is tachypneic with pink, frothy sputum, bilateral crackles, and severe respiratory distress. Blood pressure is 168/96.
What is initiation of CPAP for acute pulmonary edema?
This phase of a tactical emergency, this is the primary and most critical action to take for a casualty who is exposed to ongoing hostile fire.
What is Care under fire?
LVAD patient has no pulse, no breathing, and no signs of life.
Treatment:
What is CPR?
This is the first-line medication administered to a patient experiencing a severe allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis, such as respiratory distress and hypotension.
What is Epinephrine?