ABGs & Principles of Emergency Care
This value reflects the acidity or alkalinity of blood and normally ranges from 7.35–7.45.
What is pH?
This is the most common preventable cause of death in trauma patients.
What is hemorrhage?
This type of shock is caused by severe infection.
What is septic shock?
This device delivers high concentrations of oxygen in emergency situations.
What is a non-rebreather mask?
This scale assesses level of consciousness in trauma patients.
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?
This ABG finding is seen in respiratory acidosis due to hypoventilation.
What is increased PaCO₂?
This rapid bedside ultrasound is used to detect internal bleeding.
What is FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma)?
This sign indicates early shock and involves an increased heart rate.
What is tachycardia?
This condition involves sudden narrowing of the airways causing wheezing and dyspnea.
What is an asthma exacerbation?
This condition is caused by bleeding within the brain tissue.
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
This is the first priority step in the primary survey of emergency care.
What is Airway assessment (A in ABCDE)?
This type of shock is most commonly seen in trauma due to blood loss.
What is hypovolemic shock?
This type of shock results from failure of the heart to pump effectively.
What is cardiogenic shock?
This is the hallmark sign of hypoxia seen on pulse oximetry.
What is low SpO₂?
This pupil finding suggests increased intracranial pressure.
What is dilated or non-reactive pupils?
A patient with pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 is experiencing this condition.
What is uncompensated respiratory acidosis?
This spinal precaution involves keeping the head and neck aligned to prevent further injury.
What is cervical spine immobilization?
This stage of shock is characterized by compensatory mechanisms maintaining blood pressure.
What is the compensated stage?
This life-threatening condition involves air in the pleural space causing lung collapse and mediastinal shift.
What is a tension pneumothorax?
This reflex indicates severe brain injury and abnormal posturing with extension.
What is decerebrate posturing?
This principle ensures life-threatening conditions are managed before diagnosis is complete.
What is the primary survey / ABCDE approach?
This trauma scoring system assesses eye, verbal, and motor response.
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?
This is the primary fluid used for initial resuscitation in hypovolemic shock.
What is isotonic crystalloids (e.g., normal saline or Ringer’s lactate)?
This intervention is immediately required for a patient with complete airway obstruction.
What is the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts)?
This triad is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure.
What is Cushing’s triad (bradycardia, hypertension, irregular respirations)?