dd Flashcards
(75 cards)
What does the SBAR method stand for?
Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
SBAR is a communication framework used in healthcare settings to ensure effective and concise information transfer.
What are some vulnerable populations in the ED?
- Children
- Elderly
- Abuse victims
- Homeless/poor/uninsured
- Mental health/substance abuse patients
These groups may have unique needs and considerations when receiving emergency care.
What are the core competencies for an ED RN?
- Patient assessment
- Priority setting
- Critical thinking/decision-making
- Time management
- Multi-tasking
- Documentation
- Communication
- Adaptability
Additional certifications may be sought, such as BLS, ACLS, PALS, and CEN.
What is the responsibility of triage in the ED?
Triage is the registered nurse’s responsibility in the ED and cannot be delegated to LPN.
Triage involves assessing patients to determine the priority of treatment based on the severity of their condition.
Define the levels of trauma centers.
- Level I: Full spectrum of trauma services, usually urban, requires research
- Level II: Community-based, provides care for most injuries
- Level III: Stabilizes major injuries, transfers if necessary
- Level IV: Rural, basic stabilization and transfer capabilities
Level I centers are typically associated with large teaching hospitals.
What are the categories of the mass casualty triage tagging system?
- Emergent (Class I - Red Tag)
- Urgent (Class II - Yellow Tag)
- Nonurgent (Class III - Green Tag)
- Expectant (Class IV - Black Tag)
This system helps prioritize treatment during mass casualty incidents.
Fill in the blank: The START triage method is used to assess patients based on ______.
walking ability, breathing, circulation, and neurological status
START stands for Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment.
What are the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion?
- Flu-like symptoms
- Faint/dizzy
- Excessive sweating
- Headache
- Weakness
- Cool/pale/clammy skin
- Rapid/weak pulse
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea/Vomiting
Heat exhaustion can lead to severe dehydration and hyponatremia.
What is the treatment for heat stroke?
- Call 911
- Ensure patent airway
- Remove from hot environment
- Fan patient
- Apply ice packs/cool water
- Provide O2/intubation
- IV cooled fluids
Heat stroke is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate if not treated quickly.
What are the risk factors for hypothermia?
- Submersion in cold water
- Blood loss
- Immobility
- Elderly
- Alcohol consumption
- Illicit substance use
- Inadequate clothing/shelter
Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95°F (35°C).
What is the first priority in treating severe hypothermia?
Airway management and rewarming
Patients are not considered dead until they are ‘warm and dead’.
What are the grades of frostbite?
- Grade I: Reddening of skin and swelling
- Grade II: Fluid-filled blisters and partial-thickness skin necrosis
- Grade III: Dark fluid blisters, full-thickness necrosis
- Grade IV: Full-thickness injury, often requiring amputation
The severity of frostbite can range from superficial to full thickness.
What is the mnemonic for identifying poisonous coral snakes?
Red on yellow will kill a fellow, red on black venom lack
This mnemonic helps differentiate between harmful and non-harmful snakes.
What are the symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS)?
- Hypoxia
- Headache
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Irritability
- Apathy
- Chills
- Anorexia
AMS occurs due to exposure to low oxygen levels at high altitudes.
What is the recommended treatment for high-altitude cerebral edema?
Rapid descent, supplemental oxygen, and dexamethasone
Dexamethasone acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce cerebral edema.
What are common symptoms of hypoxia?
H/A, N/V, irritability, apathy, chills, anorexia
H/A: Headache, N/V: Nausea/Vomiting
What is the initial treatment for high-altitude sickness?
Rest and acclimate at the current altitude, administer O2 if needed and dexamethasone
Dexamethasone helps to reduce cerebral edema by acting as an anti-inflammatory in the CNS.
What are the signs and symptoms of high-altitude cerebral edema?
Hypoxia, AMS symptoms, neurologic symptoms (seizures, confusion, increased ICP symptoms)
AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness, ICP: Intracranial Pressure
What medication is used to decrease cerebral edema in high-altitude cerebral edema?
Dexamethasone
What are the symptoms of high-altitude pulmonary edema?
Hypoxia, AMS symptoms, SOB/dyspnea, tachypnea, dry cough, cyanosis of lips/nail beds
What medications may prevent high-altitude pulmonary edema?
Sildenafil or tadalafil
These medications cause pulmonary vasodilation.
What is the leading cause of accidental death in the US?
Drowning
Name three prevention strategies for drowning.
- Know how to swim
- Don’t swim alone
- Avoid alcohol/drugs when swimming/near water
What effect does saltwater have on the lungs when inhaled?
Draws protein-rich fluid into the vascular space of alveoli, causing pulmonary edema
