Ch 23 - Emergency Medical Services

Question 1

first aid

Answer 1

the immediate care administered before complete medical care can be obtained to an individual who is injured or suddenly becomes ill

Question 2

what are the symptoms of asthma?

Answer 2

wheezing
coughing
dyspnea

Question 3

what happens during an asthma attack?

Answer 3

bronchioles constrict and become clogged with mucus

triggered by air pollutants, tobacco smoke, exposure to clod and emotional stress, chemical fumes, vigorous exercise, respiratory infections

Question 4

what is status asthmaticus and its symptoms?

Answer 4

a severe prolonged asthma attach that is life threatening
bluish coloration of skin and extremely labored breathing

emergency transport

Question 5

what is emphysema?

Answer 5

progressive lung disorder where terminal bronchioles leading into the alveoli becomes plugged with mucus
alveoli becomes damaged, less surface area to diffuse oxygen into blood

results in loss of elasticity in alveoli, inhaled air is trapped
making breathing very difficult

Question 6

what is hyperventilation

Answer 6

rapid and deep respirations causing individual to exhale too much carbon dioxide

other symptoms include dizziness, faintness, light headedness, visual disturbances; chest pain, tachycardia, palpitations, fullness in throat, numbness of fingers, toes and areas around mouth

Question 7

what causes a myocardial infarction and its symptoms?

Answer 7

partial or complete obstruction of one or both of the coronary arteries or their branches

symptoms: chest pain or discomfort described as squeezing/crushing pressure, severe indigestion or burning, heaviness, aching

pain may radiate out to neck, throat, shoulders, and arms

other symptoms: SOB, perspiration, nausea, fainting

Question 8

what is a stroke and its symptoms?

Answer 8

aka cerebrovascular accident

an artery to the brain is blocked or ruptures causing an interruption of blood flow to the brain

symptoms: sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm, leg on one side of the body; difficulty speaking; dimmed/loss of vision in one eye; double vision, dizziness, confusion; sever headache, and loss of consciousness

Question 9

what is shock?

Answer 9

failure of the cardiovascular system to deliver enough blood to all of the body’s vital organs

Question 10

general signs and symptoms of shock?

Answer 10

weakness, restlessness, anxiety, disorientation, pallor, cold clammy skin, rapid breathing and rapid pulse

Question 11

if shock is not treated and progresses?

Answer 11

significant drop in blood pressure, cyanosis, loss of consciousness and death

Question 12

which organs are most affected in shock?

Answer 12

heart, brain, lungs

which can be irreparably damaged in 4-6 minutes

Question 13

what is hypovolemic shock? first aid?

Answer 13

loss of blood or body fluids
external or internal hemorrhage
plasma loss from severe burns, severe dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, or profuse perspiration

first priority is control bleeding, replace fluids

Question 14

what is cardiogenic shock?

Answer 14

failure of the heart to pump adequate blood to all of the body’s vital organs

myocardial infarction is a common cause or severe CHF, dysrhythmias, acute valvular damage, pulmonary embolism

Question 15

what is neurogenic shock?

Answer 15

nervous system is unable to control the diameter of blood vessels

blood vessels dilate and blood pools away from vital organs

Question 16

good samaritan laws

Answer 16

protects an individual from being sued and found financially responsible for a patient’s injury except for gross negligence assuming he/she acts in good faith and uses a reasonable level of skill that does not exceed that individual’s scope of practice

Question 17

emergency care for external bleeding

Answer 17

apply direct pressure on wound

apply pressure on the pressure point, if needed

Question 18

pressure points

Answer 18

temporal
carotid
facial
brachial
femoral
radial ulnar
subclavian

Question 19

emergency care for nose bleed/epitaxis

Answer 19

sit , head tilted forward
pinch nostrils
allow clotting about 15 minutes
if bleeding stops, do not blow nose to loosen clot

Question 20

signs and symptoms of internal bleeding

Answer 20

bruises
pain,
tenderness
swelling at site of injury
rapid weak pulse
cold clammy skin
nauasea and vomitting
excessive thirts
drop in BP
decreased LOC

Question 21

emergency care for incisions and lacerations

Answer 21

apply pressure with dressing
clean wound with soap and water to remove dirt/debris
cover wound with dry sterile dressing

if more serious, do not clean and see provider

Question 22

emergency care for puncture wounds

Answer 22

allow bleeding for a few minutes to wash out bacteria
clean with soap and water
apply dry sterile dressing
tetanus shot (prevent tetanus bacterial infection)

Question 23

emergency care for abrasions

Answer 23

rinse with cold running water
wash with soap to remove dirt debris
allow provider to remove embedded debris
apply dry steril dressing

Question 24

color changes of contusions

Answer 24

aka bruises

bluish to greenish or yellow

Question 25

sprain

Answer 25

tearing of ligaments at a joint pain swelling discoloration

Question 26

strain

Answer 26

stretching and tearing of muscles or tendons pain and swelling

Question 27

impacted fracture

Answer 27

the broken ends of the bones are forcefully jammed together

Question 28

greenstick fracture

Answer 28

bone remains intact on one side but broken on the other

Question 29

transverse fracture

Answer 29

break occurs perpendicular to the long axis of the bone

Question 30

oblique fracture

Answer 30

the break occurs diagonally across the bone due to twisting force

Question 31

comminuted fracture

Answer 31

the bone is splintered or shattered into three of more fragments caused by extremely traumatic direct force

Question 32

spiral fracture

Answer 32

bone is broken into a spiral or S-shape caused by twisting force

Question 33

simple partial seizure

Answer 33

alert awake twitching or jerking less than 1 minute

Question 34

complex partial seizure

Answer 34

``` LOC altered little/no memory confusion, glassy stare, aimless wandering, lip smacking or chewing fidgeting with clothing up to 2 minutes ```

Question 35

generalized seizure

Answer 35

abnormal electrical activity spreads through the entire brain

Question 36

tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 36

a type of generalized seizure tonic phase: loses consciousness, rigid muscular contractions, odd posturing of body, cyanosis around mouth/lips, inhibited respirations, lose control of bladder and bowels clonic phase: body jerks violently, jaw muscles contract postictal state: depressed LOC, headache, no/little memory

Question 37

status epilepticus

Answer 37

prolonged seizures or in rapid succession without full recovery of LOC between them most serious type of seizure; potentially life threatening

Question 38

hypoglycemia symptoms

Answer 38

aka insulin shock ``` normal or rapid respiration pale, cold, clammy skin sweating, dizziness, headache aggressive or unusual behavior fainting, seizure, coma ``` give sugar, fruit juice asap

Question 39

diabetic coma symptoms

Answer 39

hyperglycemia; diabetic ketoacidosis ``` buildup of acid waste products in the blood polyuria excessive thirst and hunger vomiting abdominal pain dry warm skin rapid deep sighing respirations sweet fruity odor breath dt acetone rapid weak pulse ``` must go to Emergency care asap

Question 40

symptoms of hypothermia

Answer 40

``` shivering numbness drowsiness apathy glassy stare decreased LOC ```

Question 41

signs and symptoms of frostbite

Answer 41

cold and waxy skin white yellow or blue discoloration loss of feeling severe tissue damage common sites - hands fingers feet toes ears nose cheeks rewarming must be done at hospital do not rub

Question 42

heat stroke symptoms

Answer 42

``` red hot dry skin rapid weak pulse dizziness and weakness rapid shallow breathing decreased LOC seizures ``` transport to emergency care

Question 43

heat exhaustion symptoms

Answer 43

``` cold clammy skin pale gray profuse sweating headache nausea dizziness weakness diarrhea ``` replenish fluids and electrolytes cold compress to forehead rest if not better in 30 min, transport to emergency care

Question 44

heat cramps symptoms

Answer 44

painful muscle spasms of legs, calves, abdomen hot sweaty skin weakness rapid pulse cool environment rest replacement of fluids and electrolytes

Question 45

first degree burn

Answer 45

sun burn epidermis red warm dry painful

Question 46

second degree burn

Answer 46

partial thickness dermis red mottled blistered painful scarring

Question 47

third degree burn

Answer 47

full thickness beyond the dermis, into underlying tissues - fat, muscle, bone, nerves charred black brown cherry red and damaged tissues underneath often pearly white intense pain or no pain due to nerve damage dense scars

Question 48

rule of nines

Answer 48

``` adult vs infant head/neck 9% vs 18% trunk 36% upper extremities 9% each genitalia 1% lower extremities 18% each vs 14% each ```

Question 49

psychogenic shock

Answer 49

least serious caused by unpleasant physical or emotional stimuli, such as pain, fright, and the sight of blood sudden dilation of the blood vessels causes blood to pool in the abdomen and extremities

Question 50

capillary bleeding

Answer 50

slow oozing of bright red blood

Question 51

venous bleeding

Answer 51

slow and steady flow of dark red blood

Question 52

arterial bleeding

Answer 52

bright red blood that spurts

Question 53

emergency care for major/minor thermal burns

Answer 53

major: wrap in blanket to smother flames or roll around large amounts of water do not use ice water if burn covers a large surface greater than 20% do not use water activate EMS cover patient with nonfuzzy materal minor: immerse in cold water for 2-5 minutes apply sterile dressing

Question 54

emergency care for snakebite

Answer 54

``` wash bite area with soap and water immobilize injured part and position it below the heart activate EMS do not apply ice, tourniquet do not cut or suction the wound ```

Question 55

rabies

Answer 55

viral infection transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal skunks, bats, raccoons, cats, dogs, cattle, foxes rabies vaccine is administered upon contact

Question 56

animal bites

Answer 56

if minor rinse with soap water apply antibiotic ointment and sterile dressing see medical provider to check for infections and tetanus immunization serious bleeding do not clean, apply pressure, activate EMS