Chapter 20 Flashcards by Rachel Brenner

What is an emergency?

Condition of patient of sudden change in medical status that requires immediate action: technologist must recognize when assistance is warrented or needed

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Priorities for working with patients in medical emergencies:

Ensure an open airway (A)
Control bleeding (B)
Prevent Shock (C)
Attend wounds and fractures
Provide emotional support
Continually re-evaluate and follow up

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What do crash carts contain?

Drugs and equipment to handle life threatening situations

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How are drawers ordered on crash cart?

ABC order

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What drugs are on crash cart?

Atropine - respiratory stimulant/bradycardia
Benadryl - allergic reactions
Cordarone - heart arrhythmias
Dilantin - seizures/anti-convulsant
Lasix - edema
Xylocaine - local anethetic
Intropin - shock
Epinephrine - cardiac arrest and anaphylaxis

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What are non-drug items on crash cart?

Backboard - CPR
Flashlight
Levine tubing - NG tube
Jelco cannulas - IV tube
Cut down tray - PICC lines
Connectors - connect tubing
Surgical lubricant - place NG tube

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Levels of consciousness

Least severe - alert and conscious; can full respont to stimuli and questions
More serious - drowsy; can be roused with loud voice or gentle contract
More serious - unconscious and only reacts to painful stimuli
Most serious - comatose or unresponsive to all stimuli

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Signs of deteriorating head injury

Irritability
Lethargy
Slowing pulse rate
Slowing respiratory rate

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How should Rad Tech respond to deteriorating head injuries

Stop the procedure
Maintain open airway
Minimal movement
Get assistance
Mointor vital signs

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What is shock?

Indicates the failure of the circulatory system to support vital body functions

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Types of shock?

Hypovolemic
Cardiogenic
Neurogenic
Vasogenic

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What is Hypovolemic shock?

Loss of blood/tissue fluid

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What is Cardiogenic shock?

Caused by cardiac arrest issues

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What is Neurogenic shock?

Spinal anethesia or damage to upper spinal cord; CNS is damaged

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What is Vasogenic?

Most common - caused by infection, anesthesia, or anaphylaxis

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What kind of shock do X-ray techs encounter?

Hypovolemic or vasogenic

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When does Anaphylaxis usually occur?

After a contrast media injection

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How to prevent shock?

Prevent sudden changes in body temp

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What factors contibute to shock?

Pain
Anxiety
Stress

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What two aspects do you need to pay attention to when caring for the patient?

Physical and
Psychological care

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Signs and symptoms a patient might be going into shock:

Anxiety
Tachycardia
Decreased blood pressure
Cold and clammy skin
Pallor - pale skin

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Severe contrast reactions can result in:

Cardiac arrest or death

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Symptoms of a mild contrast reaction:

Localized itching
Uticaria - hives
Nausea or vomitting

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What is generalized itching and hives an indicative of?

Systemic reaction - more serious reaction

First thing administered to patient in the event of a reaction?

Benedryl or epinephrine

More serious contrast reactions might include:

Laryngeal edema Shock Cardiac arrest

What is insulin?

Hormone that helps regulate carbohyrdate and fat metabolism in the body

What is hypoglycemia and what are the symptoms?

Excessive insulin/low blood sugar; weak, shaky, sweat, confused, irritable

What is hyperglycemia?What are symptoms?

Excessive sugar/low insulin; thirst, urination, dry mucosa, rapid and deep breaths, drowsy and confused

What can happen if patient is hypoglycemic?

Can go into insulin shock; needs carbs, ask patient to sit or lie down

What can happen if patient is hyperglycemic?

Needs insulin - can go into a diabetic coma

What is happening when "wheezing" occurs?

Loss of elasticity of bronchi

What should the tech do in case of an asthma attack?

Stop the procedure Set the patient upright Allow patient to use asthma meds

How to assess for choking?

Can you breath Red face, clutches throat Encouraged to cough

How to perform Heimlich if pregnant?

Stand in back Arms around patient Thumb side of fist placed about center of sternum Chest thrusts - not abdominal

Signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest

Sharp chest pain Pain down the left arm Pallor SOB, palpatations, anxious

Warning signs of CVA?

Slurred or loss of speech Paralysis Dizziness and loss of vision

What should a technologist do if patient is experiencing CVA?

Signs and symptoms reported to nurse/physican Do not stand/move CPR may be required

Who is more likely to have CVA?

Adults over 75

Nausea/vomitting is what type of response?

Psychological and physiological

How should patient breathe if nauseaus?

Slowly and deeply through their mouths

If patient is going to vomit, how should they be positioned? And what should be provided?

In a position where they don't aspirate - side/erect Turn head Provide emesis basin

What is epistaxis?

Nose bleed

What to do in case of a nose bleed?

Do not put patient in recumbent position Lean them foward Put digital pressure on nostril Don't tilt head back Apply moist compress Seek medical attention after 15 minutes

What is vertigo?

Dizziness

Another word for syncope?

Fainting

What to do if patient is experiencing vertigo?

Put them in a seated or recumbent position

What is syncope?

Self-correcting mechanism to get blood flow back to the brain

What is a temporary form of shock?

Syncope

What to do if patient faints?

Get in recumbent position with feet elevated, loosen any tight clothing, moist cool towel to forehead

What is orthostatic hypotension?

Dizziness or vertigo from sitting/standing too quickly

What happens during a mild seizure?

Brief loss of consciousness or may stare into space. May be slightly confused and weak

What happens during a severe seizure?

Involunatry contractions of muscles on 1 or both sides Lasts one to several minutes

What should tech do if patient has a seizure?

Do not restrain, but prevent injury Do not stick fingers in their mouth Move to floor After seizure, make sure airway is open

What is an aura?

Physical or mental warning of seizure

What is dehiscence?

When sutures separate allowing contents to spill our of cavity

What to do in the event of dehiscence?

Do not try to put contents back in Place sterile dressing over Put patient in seated/slightly forward position Get help

What is eviseration?

Loss of organs from a body cavity

Medicaton used to decrease anxiety during MRI

Xanax Valium Versed