Airway Mngt
What is the primary purpose of airway management in emergency care?
To ensure that the patient has a clear and open airway to facilitate effective ventilation.
What are common signs of respiratory distress?
Increased respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles, cyanosis, and altered mental status.
It acts as a vasodilator by relaxing the blood vessels in the body, primarily the veins. It does dilate the coronary arteries of the heart. It reduced preload, so the heart does not have to pump as hard, thus decreasing the oxygen demand the heart needs.
What are the classic signs of shock?
Hypotension, tachycardia, altered mental status, and cool, clammy skin.
What is the primary concern in a diabetic emergency?
Blood glucose levels, which may be too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia).
Describe the steps of the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver.
Position the patient supine, place one hand on the forehead and apply gentle pressure to tilt the head back, while placing two fingers under the chin to lift it forward.
What condition is characterized by wheezing and difficulty exhaling?
Asthma or COPD
What medication is commonly administered for suspected myocardial infarction?
Aspirin
Differentiate between hypovolemic and cardiogenic shock.
Hypovolemic shock is due to low blood volume, while cardiogenic shock is due to the heart's inability to pump effectively.
Describe the signs and symptoms of a stroke.
Sudden weakness, speech difficulties, facial droop, and altered consciousness.
What are the indications for using a Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) device?
Indications include respiratory failure or arrest, and when the patient is unable to maintain their airway.
Explain the management of a patient experiencing a severe allergic reaction with respiratory compromise.
Administer epinephrine, provide supplemental oxygen.
Describe the signs of a cardiac tamponade.
Beck's triad: hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and jugular venous distention.
Support ABCs, identify and treat underlying cause, keep warm.
What is the appropriate response to a suspected poisoning?
Assess the patient, manage the ABCs, provide supportive care, and contact poison control as needed.
Explain the differences between oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways.
Oropharyngeal airways are designed for unconscious patients and prevent tongue obstruction, while nasopharyngeal airways can be used in conscious patients and provide a route for ventilation.
What is the importance of pulse oximetry in respiratory emergencies?
It measures the oxygen saturation in the blood, helping to assess the effectiveness of respiratory function.
Explain congestive heart failure and provide signs and symptoms.
When the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the body. This buildup, particularly in the lungs, can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and feet. Also, rapid or irregular heartbeat, a productive cough, difficulty concentrating, crackles in the lungs, JVD, enlarged liver.
Explain the concept of distributive shock and provide an example.
Distributive shock involves abnormal distribution of blood flow in the smallest blood vessels; an example is septic shock.
Explain the management of a seizure patient.
Protect the patient from injury, ensure the airway is clear, and monitor their postictal state.
What happens if you hyperventilate a patient?
Increases intra-thoracic pressure, decreases venous return to the heart and reduces cardiac output. It can also cause gastric inflation, potentially leading to vomiting and aspiration. Excessive ventilation can alter blood gas levels, potentially leading to respiratory alkalosis.
Discuss the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD involves the progressive obstruction of airflow due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, leading to insufficient gas exchange.
Describe the signs of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea.
Explain the concept of neurogenic shock and provide an example.
Occurs due to a disruption in the nervous system's control over blood vessels. This disruption leads to a loss of sympathetic tone, causing blood vessels to dilate and blood pressure to drop. A common example is a person experiencing a spinal cord injury.
Discuss the role of naloxone in opioid overdose management.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, restoring respiratory function.