EMR - Day #7 Flashcards
(36 cards)
What kind of drug should a patient not have before taking Nitro?
Any kind of vasodilator, ex) viagara
How long does it have to have been if a patient has self administered aspirin before they take another dose?
It needs to have been at least 12 hours.
What are common causes of seizures?
Epilepsy
Disease
Infection
Fever
Metabolic disturbance
O2 deprivation
Poisoning
Brain injury
Should you check a patients BGL if they have been or are still seizing?
Yes, always check the BGL of a pt. if they have been or are seizing.
What types of seizures are there?
Generalized seizures
Partial (focal) seizures
Absence
Febrile
Status epilepticus
What is a generalized seizure?
This is the common seizure, there are four parts to it.
1) aura: moment before (sometimes burnt toast smell)
2) tonic: tightening of muscles
3) clonic: jerking movements
4) postictal: end of seizure
What is a partial (focal) seizure?
It is when not the full body is seizing, ex) only one arm is seizing
What is an absence seizure?
It is a short lapse, moment of staring into space almost
What is a febrile seizure?
It is a seizure caused by a fever, common in children/infants.
What is status epilepticus?
This is when a seizure has been going on for 5 mins or more, or when multiple seizures have happened in a row without the patient fully returning.
How should seizures be treated?
Manage the patients airway
15 lpm O2 via NBR
Consider BVM
Protect patient
Position 3/4 prone when done seizing
Rapid transport
Supportive care
What is a migraine?
A migraine is a very severe headache that can have neurological effects
Ex) visual disturbances, photophobia, confusion
How do you treat migraines?
Pain management and supportive care.
What are causes of altered mental status?
A alcohol, acidosis, arrhythmias
E environmental, electrolytes, endocrine
I insulin
O overdose
U underdose, uremia
T trauma, tumour
R respiratory
I infection
P poison, psychosis
S stroke, syncope, shock, seizure
What is type 1 diabetes (IDDM)?
These types of diabetics are insulin dependent, usually onsets in childhood and is managed with insulin.
What is type 2 diabetes (NIDDM)?
This is usually onset in adulthood and is managed with diet and lifestyle, these patients are non-insulin dependent.
Why is insulin needed?
Because it is what allows glucose to enter the cells and be used by them in the body.
What are the types of diabetic emergencies?
Hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia.
What is hyperglycaemia?
It is when the BGL is too high and the insulin is too low in the body.
What is hypoglycaemia?
It is when the BGL is too low and the insulin level is too high in the body.
When should you administer oral glucose to a patient?
When they have a decreasing LOC with a history suggesting hyper or hypo glycemia and have a BGL of 4.0mmol/L.
How will a hyperglycaemic patient present?
Decreasing LOC
Tachycardia
Deep, rapid resps.
Fruity odour on breath
Fever
Warm/dry skin
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
How will a hypoglycaemic patient present?
Decreasing LOC
Cold, clammy skin
Weak/uncoordinated
Headache
Irritable
Coma
How often should you admin oral glucose?
Every 5 minutes until a patient is above 4.0mmol/L
