Chapter 16: Emergency Procedures Flashcards
Cardiac Arrest
Cessation of heart function, lose consciousness, no pulse, stops breathing. The person may be gasping, snorting or gurgling.
-Call 911
-CPR
-AED (defibrillator)
What is the most common abnormal heart rhythm experienced during cardiac arrest?
Ventricular Fibrillation
Dyspnea
Characterized as difficulty breathing
Symptoms:
-poor movement of the chest wall
-flaring of the nostrils
-straining of the neck muscles
-pale bluish color (cyanosis)
-snorting, gurgling, crowing sounds
Response:
-Call 911
Choking
No assistance is necessary if the airway is only partially blocked unless the obstruction cannot be dislodged and the person becomes hypoxic (oxygen deficient)
Response:
-Heimlich Maneuver
Asthma
Symptoms:
-wheezing
-shortness of breath
-tightness in the chest
-coughing
Triggers:
-Allergens
-Viruses
-Exercise
-Cold Air
Response:
-Take medication (bronchodilators)
-Sometimes breathing through nose of scarf is helpful
-Implement a longer warm-up and cool-down for asthmatic clients
CAD, Chest Pain, Heart Attack Emergency Response
Symptoms:
-Angina Pectoris
-Shortness of Breath
-Cold Sweat
-Nausea
-Lightheadedness
-Back or Jaw Pain
Response:
-Call 911
Syncope
“Fainting”
Common causes:
-Dehydration/heavy sweating
-Emotional Stress
-Severe Pain
-Exhaustion
-Sudden Postural Changes
Symptoms:
-Palpitations
-Irregular Heart Beat
-Warm Sensation
-Nausea
-Lightheadedness
-Sweaty Palms
-Visual “gray out”
Response:
-Have client sit or lie down
-Drink fluids
-Medication
Stroke
Symptoms:
-Off Balance Walking
-Slurred Speach
-Weakness or Numbness
-Vision loss
-Severe Headache
Response:
-Call 911
Obese BMI
> 30kg/m2
Diabetes and Insulin Reaction
(Hypoglycemia)
Causes:
-Vomitted
-Injected too much insulin
-Too much exercise w/o enough food
Symptoms:
-Headache
-Hunger
-Weakness
-Sweating
-Fatigue
-Personality Changes
-Seizures
-Coma
Response:
-Stop exercising
-Have client sit down
-Consume 20-30g of sugar
-Check Blood Sugar levels
—>should be at least 100mg/dL before resuming exercise
-If the person still does not feel better after a few minutes call 911
Heat Stress
Factors affecting thermoregulation:
-Heat
-High Humidity
-Diuretics
-Anti-depressants
-Antihistamines
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms:
-Weak, rapid pulse
-Low BP
-Fatigue
-Headache
-Dizziness
-General Weakness
-Paleness
-Cold, clammy skin
-Profuse sweating
-Elavated Body Temp 104• or less
Treatment:
-Stop exercising
-Move to a cool, well-ventilated area
-Lay down and elevate feet
-Give fluids
-Monitor Temperature
Heat Stroke
Symptoms:
-Hot, dry skin
-Bright red skin color
-Rapid strong pulse
-Irritable, aggressiveness, anxiety
-Labored Breathing
-Elevated Body Temp >105 degrees
Treatment:
-Stop exercising
-Remove clothing
-Wet towels, ice packs, fan
-Give fluid
-Transport to ER immediately
Severe Dehydration
Symptoms:
-Uncoordinated movements
-Altered Consciousness
Treatment:
-Give fluids
-Cool wet towels
-Call 911 if they’re vomiting and losing fluids
How to help clients avoid heat illness
-Exercise during cooler times of day
-Frequent water breaks on hot humid days
-Lightweight Clothing
-Watch for warning signs of cramping
-Avoid exercise when wet bulb glove temperature is >82 degrees
* WBGT is the temperature, humidity, and radiant heat combined
*Becoming acclimated to heat takes 10-14 days
-Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise
Fluid Intake Recommendations during exercise
2 hours prior= 500-600 mL
Every 10-20 minutes = 200-300 mL
After = 450-675 mL for every 0.5kg body weight lost
Cold Stress
Hypothermia Symptoms:
-Confusion
-Fatigue
-Dizziness
-Amnesia
-Apathy
-Difficulty Speaking
-Lethargy
-Hallucinations
-Loss of consciousness
Treatment:
-Take to the nearest warm shelter
-Remove wet clothing
-Warm blankets
-Keep person lying down to prevent drop in blood pressure
-Arrythmia May occur; keep AED nearby
-Call 911 during more serious cases of hypothermia
Frostbite
Symptoms:
-Areas become numb and painful and the skin becomes grayish or yellow with a waxy appearance that is hard to touch
*Frostbite Worsens by altitude, wind, exposure for long periods, and contact with cold objects.
*Those with diabetes and atherosclerosis are at high risk for frostbite because circulation is already impaired
Seizures
Occurs when there is abnormal and excessive electrical activity in the brain
Response:
-Clear the area so the victim doesn’t hit their head on furniture or objects
-Place a towel under the victims had to help protect it from injury
-Never restrain the victim or place anything in the victims mouth
-Call 911
-After the seizure, check to make sure the victims breathing, and if not, start CPR
-If necessary, roll the victim onto their side to prevent vomit or mucus from obstructing the airway
Soft-Tissue Injuries
Symptoms:
Abrasion, contusion, incision, laceration, avulsion, puncture
Response:
-Clean the area thoroughly and irrigate with plenty of water, then apply a dry dressing
-Apply direct pressure over the entry site to control bleeding. If the guys get soaked through, apply more gauze pads without removing the first ones
-Dizziness, confusion, agitation, pale, cold, clammy skin maybe signs of shock
-For any broken skin, tetanus shot may need to be updated
-RICE
Strain
An injury to a tendon, which connects muscle to bone
Compression Tape Application
Apply distally and wrap proximally
Fractures
Closed Fracture: A fracture where there is no breaking the surface of the skin
Open Fracture: there is an open wound that may or may not have the end of the broken bone protruding through it
Fracture symptoms:
-Deformity or Disfigurement
-Pain or tenderness
-Swelling
-Severe weakness and loss of function
-Bruising
-A joint locked in position
-Audible snap at the time of injury
-Abnormal motion or position of the insured limb
-inability to bear weight on the limb
-Discoloration
Treatment:
-Keep the victim quiet, do not allow him to move the insured part or attempt to put weight on it
-Remove or cutaway clothing that covers the injury
-Cover an open fracture with a sterile gauze
-Call 911
-Keep the victim lying down if there is significant bleeding to improve circulation to the heart and brain
-Apply gentle pressure to slower stop the bleeding
-Leave the protruding ends of the bone where they are. Do not attempt to push them back into place
Head Injuries
Symptoms of a concussion:
-Amnesia
-Confusion
-Memory loss
-Headache
-Drowsiness
-Loss of consciousness
-Impaired speech
-Tinnitus (hearing bells)
-Unequal pupil size
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Balance problems or dizziness
-Blurry or double vision
-Sensitivity to light or noise
-changes in behavior
Response:
-Stop training until given permission by a healthcare professional
-Trainer should check the ABC’s and start CPR if necessary
-If the victim can talk ask questions like their name and where they are while checking for unequal pupil size
