Acute and Chronic Illnesses
This occurs when the brain is suddenly deprived of its normal blood flow and momentarily shuts down. What is this called?
syncope (fainting)
Multiple rib fractures can result in a section of the rib cage breaking free from the surrounding tissues, a condition referred to as?
Flail Chest
This loose section (commonly referred to as a flail segment) will move in the opposite direction from the rest of the chest (i.e., will move inwards during inhalation and outwards on exhalation); this is called paradoxical movement.
External bleeding is life-threatening when significant quantities of blood are spurting or flowing freely (hemorrhaging) from a wound. What is the basic care for external bleeding?
Apply direct pressure
BONUS: when the blood soaks through the dressing, do we remove it and replace it?
Angina is defined as chest pain or pressure resulting from the heart needing more oxygen-rich blood than it is getting. What is the difference between STABLE Angina and UNSTABLE Angina?
STABLE Angina: usually occurs while exercising or being under emotional stress.
UNSTABLE Angina: is not typical for the pt, happens at rest and last longer than 10 minutes (very similar to MI but results are usually temporary and do not result in permanent damage.
When documenting information, what does the acronym GAME CTV stand for?
Gender-Age-MOI-ETA-C/C-Treatments-Vitals
what is the care for syncope?
recovery position - check ABC's - call 911 if unresponsive
What is the difference between a HEMOTHORAX and a PNEUMOTHORAX.
HEMOTHORAX is blood in the pleural space around the lungs.
PNEUMOTHORAX is air in the pleural space around the lungs
A subungual hematoma is a collection of blood or fluid between the nail bed and the fingernail. What is the basic care for this injury?
clean area, hand placed on firm surface, nail drill (or heated paperclip) to puncture the nail to drain fluid
This happens when there is a disruption of blood flow to a part of the brain. What is it?
Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
BONUS: What is the difference of a CVA to a TIA?
0-28 days old
What is the care for a seizure?
- check ABC's when seizure stops
- Place in recovery position
*Never put anything in a person's mouth*
What vital organ is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen?
the liver.
What is the basic care for a burn?
- remove jewelry/clothing from site (if its not stuck to the skin)
- cool affected area for at least 10 minutes
- Once area is cooled, cover with clean, dry dressing
When assisting a pt with ASA or Nitroglycerin, what are the contraindications to be aware of?
ASA: bleeding disorders - asthma - unresponsive
(ASA is a bloodthinner)
Nitro: Systolic BP lower than 90mmHg - allergy - ED meds in the last 48 hrs
(Nitro is a vasodilator)
What is the acronym to gather information/history in your Secondary Assessment?
S-A-M-P-L-E
Bonus Questions: What does SAMPLE stand for?
What is the care for someone having a diabetic emergency?
- position of comfort
- if responsive and can swallow, give them a form of sugar (12g Glucose Gel after checking 6 rights, 3C's, E)
- monitor for 10 min (if they do not improve, call 911)
When treating for a pelvic injury, the pelvic binding should not be removed once applied, until pt is in the Hospital. Manipulation and movement of an injured pelvis can cause severe damage. What would we want to avoid when transferring pt from the ground to the stretcher?
Do not roll the pt. a clamshell or scoop stretcher is ideal.
Describe the 3 depth classifications of a burn and their physical characteristics.
- Superficial (1st degree) - skin is red and dry
- Partial-thickness (2nd degree) - red with blisters
- Full-thickness (3rd degree) - brown/black charred
The coronary arteries supply the myocardium with oxygen-rich blood. If one or more of these arteries is blocked, the oxygen supply to the myocardium will be interrupted and will become hypoxic. When the hypoxic myocardium cells begin to die (myocardial necrosis), this is called a?
Myocardial Infarction (MI) or Heart Attack
When a pt reports pain, what acronym do we use to assess pain in our Secondary Assessment?
OPQRSTA
Onset-Provoke-Quality-Radiate/Region-Severity-Time-Alleviate
Explain the difference between Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia.
HYPOGLYCEMIA - BGL to be too low because insulin is too high
HYPERGLYCEMIA - BGL is too high because insulin is too low
The body’s cells need glucose (sugar) as a source of energy to function normally. Insulin (a hormone produced in the pancreas) is required for the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream to the body’s cells
You arrive on scene to a male laying on ground. When you approach, you hear a sucking sound coming from the wound on the chest when the male inhales and you see that it is actively bleeding. What do you do?
-direct pressure to control bleeding (when dressing becomes blood soaked, remove and replace with clean dressing to prevent the wound from being occluded)
-if they want to remain laying down, have them lay on their side in recovery, wound side down
Calculate the parentage of area burned using the rule of 9's for the following scenario.
You respond to a scene knowing there is an adult that has been burned. Their face, full anterior torso, and both posterior arms are burned.
31.5%
The compression to ventilation rate when there are 2 responders assisting a child is what?
15-2
You attend a call where you are indicated to assist with medication. What are we checking before we assist with meds?
6 rights, 3 C's, E
Right Person - Right Dose - Right Time - Right Meds - Right Documentation (before/after) - Right Route/Method
Colour - Clarity - Concentration
Expiry date