Airway
What are 2 contraindications for CPAP?
Inability to protect/maintain airway, Recent upper GI surgery, Suspected pneumothorax
What are the 3 parts of the hearts electrical conduction system?
AV node, SA node, Purkinje fibers
Compression of what while pregnant will cause the mother to become lightheaded and nauseated?
Inferior vena cava
What fracture indicates use of a traction splint?
Closed mid femur fracture
A pt was alert and oriented during the primary assessment and suddenly became confused during secondary assessment. What should you do?
Check blood glucose level
When using a BVM on an adult, what tidal volume will cause noticeable chest rise and fall?
500 mL
What 2 heart rhythms will an AED shock?
V-fib and V-TACH
During delivery, you notice a loop of umbilical cord protruding. What is the appropriate next step?
Position pt with buttocks higher than her head, rapid transport
What are 3 types of pelvic fractures?
Straddle, Vertical shear, Open book
A pt with a head injury is now bradycardic, hypertensive, and has irregular respirations. What does this combination indicate?
Cushing’s triad, late sign of increased intracranial pressure
What are 3 pathologic conditions commonly found in asthma?
Bronchospasm, Bronchial edema, Excessive mucus secretion
How does nitroglycerin work, and what are the contraindications?
Vasodilation, systolic below 90, pt takes ED meds, pt has already had 3 doses
What are the 3 parts of the pediatric assessment triangle?
Appearance, Work of breathing, Circulation of the skin
What are 3 findings characteristic of a flail chest?
Paradoxical chest wall motion, Unstable segment of chest wall upon palpation, Multiple adjacent rib fractures in two or more places
What are the 7 types of shock?
Hemorrhagic hypovolemic, Nonhemorrhagic hypovolemic, Burn, Anaphylactic, Septic, Neurogenic, Cardiogenic
A pt with COPD develops hypoxia. What 2 internal factors are responsible for the decreased O2 levels?
Ventilation-perfusion mismatch due to uneven airflow and blood flow, Destruction of alveolar-capillary membranes reducing gas exchange efficiency
What are the 5 common signs and symptoms associated with CHF?
Fatigue/weakness, Activity limitations, Congestion (crackles, pink sputum, JVD), Edema, Shortness of breath
What are the differences between placenta previa and abruptio placentae?
Placenta previa is the placenta covering (full or partial) the opening of the cervix. Painless bleeding. Abruptio placentae is premature separation of placenta from uterine wall. Painful bleeding.
What are the steps to controlling a major external hemorrhage, and when should it be done?
Direct pressure with gloved hand, Direct pressure with ABD pad/sterile gauze, pressure dressing, tourniquet. XABC, control major hemorrhage first.
A pt sustains blunt chest trauma and develops severe respiratory distress, absent breath sounds on the right side, tachycardia, and falling BP. What does this indicate?
Tension pneumothorax
What are the common lower airway sounds, and what do they indicate?
Wheezing - bronchoconstriction
Ronchi - mucus in larger airways
Crackles/Rales - fluid in smaller airways
What is cardiac tamponade?
The filling of blood or fluid past the pericardium into the pericardial sac
What are 3 signs and symptoms of preeclampsia, and what is the primary difference between preeclampsia and eclampsia?
Hypertension, headaches, edema. Seizures differentiate between the two.
What is an epidural hematoma and what is a common cause?
Bleeding between the tough outer membrane covering the brain (dura mater) and the skull. Temporal bone fracture from trauma to side of head.
A pt sustained a stab wound to the chest. He is alert with JVD and muffled heart sounds. What are 3 findings that would indicate worsening cardiac tamponade?
Progressively narrowing pulse pressure, Faint muffled heart sounds, Visible bulging of the neck veins