Cardiology
You are dispatched to a 57-year-old male with chest pain. Which of the following pain descriptions is MOST consistent with a cardiac problem?
Crushing/pressure
What are the primary causes of shock?
vasodilation, excess fluid loss, and impaired heart function
Either there isn't enough pressure to push the blood through, there isn't enough blood to push, or the pump that is pushing isn't working properly. When dealing with a shocky patient, start trying to reconcile the cause and address it to resolve the shock!
Removal or significant damage to the pancreas would result in which of the following conditions
Diabetes
Removal of the pancreas will also remove its "islet" cells (which make insulin), resulting in the hyperglycemia seen in diabetes
What phase of the cardiac cycle is defined by relaxation of the myocardium
The diastolic phase is the relaxation of the heart as a whole, which allows blood to fill the atrium in preparation for the contractile systolic phase that will eject blood into the circulation.
A child with an upper respiratory illness presents with swelling of the epiglottis, what side effects is likely if this condition worsens?
Airway Compromise
Epiglottitis is a swelling of the structure that protects the airway from food/fluid while swallowing. If this condition goes unchecked it can result in obstruction of the glottis (portal into the trachea), airway compromise, and death. Epiglottitis generally presents with a combination of shortness of breath, noisy breathing (stridor), tripod positioning, and drooling.
A non-modifiable risk factor for cardiac arrest is which of the following?
Family History
What are the primary goals of shock management?
correcting the underlying problem and maintaining the ABC's
describes the function of the spleen
Filters and removes bacteria from the arterial blood
The spleen is an organ that is made up of a large number of fenestrated (leaking) blood vessels that expose the blood to a large number of immune cells such as neutrophils and lymphocytes, these cells then consume bacteria and parasites present in the blood. Individuals without a spleen are prone to infections and meningitis from certain bacterial organisms.
What is the main function of red blood cells?
To carry Oxygen
The anatomy of the airway consists of the upper and the lower airways. The upper airway starts at the mouth and nose; where does it end?
Larynx
The airway is divided into two different anatomical locations; the upper airway and lower airway. The upper airway starts where air enters the body - the nose (Nares) and the mouth. Air will pass through the nose and is filtered and warmed before passing through the remainder of the upper airway and entering the lower airway. The upper airway ends at the larynx, the structure below the epiglottis that contains the vocal cords.
Peripheral vascular resistance is indicated with:
diastolic pressure
Name 3 causes that are associated with obstructive shock?
pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, tension pneumothorax, constrictive pericarditis, and restrictive cardiomyopathy
Obstructive shock is caused by cardiac pump failure not directly related to the heart
What is peritonitis?
the thin layer of tissue inside the abdomen becomes inflamed.
What blood vessels connects directly to the heart
superior vena cava, inferior vena cava; the ascending aorta, pulmonary veins, and pulmonary arteries
What is a primary function of the lungs' alveoli
Removing waste (CO2) from the bloodstream
The lower airway consists of all structures below the epiglottis. Its main function at the alveolar level is respiration--the transfer of oxygen (O2) into the blood and waste (CO2) out of the blood. Filtering air is the role of the oropharynx and the nasopharynx. Keeping solids and fluids out of the lungs is the role of the epiglottis and pulling air into the lungs is accomplished by the diaphragm.
What is present when a patient complains of dizziness when sitting up or standing up, accompanied by a significant increase in pulse rate or decrease in blood pressure?
Orthostatic hypotension
What type of shock are classified as distributive shock?
septic shock, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, neurogenic shock, anaphylactic shock, toxic shock, end-stage liver disease, and endocrine shock
What is the difference between involuntary and voluntary guarding?
Involuntary guarding is a condition of the musculature itself in response to peritonitis, while voluntary guarding occurs when a patient tries to prevent you from touching them out of fear of causing pain.
What phase of the cardiac cycle results in the palpable pulse that is felt in the arteries
Systolic phase
Respiratory Rate for a Adult, child, infant
12-20
15-30
25-50
A 70-year-old male has a terrible headache. RR 26, HR 78, BP 200/120, SPO2 93%. Which of the following is the primary problem that must be addressed?
Blood Pressure
The massively increased pressure in conjunction with a headache represents hypertensive emergency (i.e., symptomatic)
EMS is called for a nursing home patient who has had 2 days of abdominal discomfort with vomiting and diarrhea. The patient now has rapid, shallow breathing and is minimally responsive. Which of the following exam elements is likely to be the most abnormal for this patient due to their symptoms of hypovolemic shock?
Circulatory Status
What are 3 findings are specific to upper GI bleeding
Bloody vomit
Fresh active red colored bloody vomit
abdominal tenderness
Which vessels carries oxygenated blood
the pulmonary vein is the only vein that carries oxygenated blood:
It acts to return blood to the heart (left ventricle) from the lungs
What is the entrance of food or fluid into the airway
Aspiration