BLS and Medical Emergencies Flashcards
(28 cards)
what are the shockable rhythms
VF and VT
what is the patient assessment for medical emergencies
airway
breathing
circulation
disability
exposure
how is airway assessed
can patient speak
check for see-saw respirations, central cyanosis or lack of breathing
if issues with patency use OPA
how is breathing assessed
look for chest rising and falling
compare to 12-20 breaths per min
ask to feel pulse and put hand on shoulder
assess rhythm, depth and equal expansion
how is circulation assessed
pulse - regularity, strength and speed
capillary refill test
how is disability assessed
ACVPU
a - alert
c - conscious
v - verbal stimuli
p - painful stimuli
u - unresponsive
what is assessed in exposure
check colour of hands, neck vessels, continence
what is given to all patients in an emergency
high flow O2
15l/ min
use non-rebreathing mask - ensure finger activates green valve to allow inflation of bag
what is the ABCDE for anaphylaxis
A - swelling, hoarseness
B - increased BR, wheezing
C - increased HR and hypotension
D - LOC
E - rash, swelling, abdominal cramps
what tx is provided for anaphylaxis
IM adrenaline 1:1000 0.5mg
give every 5 mins if not improving
phone ambulance
Z technique - apply traction to thigh, advance needle, aspirate, inject, remove needle 1/2 and release traction, remove needle fully
what is the treatment for angina
2 puffs 400mcg GTN spray sublingually
if GTN not effective treat as MI
what is the effect of GTN
dilates veins which reduces preload to heart, reducing work of myocardium
what is found on assessment of patient having MI
A - no issue
B - increased BR
C - increased HR
D - alert
E - pale, sweaty, crushing pain in chest, pain in left arm or jaw
what is the tx for MI
300mg aspirin chewed
send to hospital
what would you find on assessment of pt having mid asthma attack and what is the tx
B - chest tightness, normal breathing rate
C- normal HR
tx - 2 puffs 100mcg salbutamol
what would you find on assessment of pt having acute asthma attack and what is the tx
B - more than 25 breaths per min, audible wheeze
C - more than 115bpm HR
tx - fill spaces device with ten puffs of salbutamol and get pt to breathe for 20 seconds
what would you find on assessment of life threatening asthma and what is the treatment
B - less than 8 breaths per min
C - less than 40 bpm
tx - intubate and attached BVM and phone ambulance
what is the blue salbutamol inhaler
short acting B2 agonist
treats acute bronchial constriction by binding to B2 receptors causing relaxation of smooth muscle
onset = 2-3mins
lasts - 4-6 hours
what should you do if you are unsure if patient having asthma attack or anaphylaxis
administer IM adrenaline and then inhaler
what would you find on assessment of patient with hypoglycaemia
A - initially talking
B - increased BR
C - increased HR
D - alert
E - irritable/ confused/ pale
what is hypoglycaemia
when blood glucose levels fall below normal 4mmol/L
brain is affected in fall of glucose which causes neurones to become non-functional = can result in diabetic coma
what is the tx of hypoglycaemia
conscious - 3 glucose tablets/ gel
unconscious - 1mg IM glucagon then give oral glucose when they wake up
what is the action of glucagon
converts glycogen into glucose
releases glucose from liver
what would you find on assessment of someone having a seizure
A - compromised
B - variable, assess colour
C - variable, look at veins on back of hand
D - unconscious
E - seizure activity, incontinence
