Exam 5: Medical Emergencies

Question 1

What causes migraine headaches?

Answer 1

constriction of blood vessels in the brain = increase pressure

Question 2

What is a symptom associated with migraine headaches?

Answer 2

photophobia

Question 3

What is a stroke also called?

Answer 3

cerebrovascular accident

Question 4

What type of headache is associated with a stroke?

Answer 4

“the worst headache of my life”

Question 5

What causes an ischemic stroke?

Answer 5

embolism in the vessels of the brain

Question 6

What causes a hemorrhagic stroke?

Answer 6

aneurysm/trauma | rupture of blood vessel = bleed out

Question 7

Which type of stroke is more fatal?

Answer 7

hemorrhagic = bleed out

Question 8

What symptom/sign greatly contributes to a stroke?

Answer 8

hypertension

Question 9

How can you differentiate between the 2 types of stroke?

Answer 9

CT will show if blood is present or not (ischemic)

Question 10

What does FAST stand for?

Answer 10

facial droop | arm dropping | slurred speech | time to act

Question 11

How can you assess arm dropping in suspected stroke patients?

Answer 11

have patient hold arms up palms up = if one begins to drop down = stroke

Question 12

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke.

Answer 12

headache | hemiparesis/hemiplegia | aphasia | AMS | HYPERTENSION

Question 13

What is hemiparesis/hemiplegia?

Answer 13

weakness on one side of body

Question 14

What is an important question to ask bystanders/family/friends about a stroke patient?

Answer 14

when was the last time patient was acting normal

Question 15

What is the window of time from onset of stroke when a patient has a great chance of survival? What is it for really?

Answer 15

3hrs or less | clot-busting medication

Question 16

In which stroke patient can receive clot busting medication?

Answer 16

ischemic only

Question 17

What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Answer 17

stroke that lasts for a short time and resolves itself

Question 18

What causes a TIA?

Answer 18

thrombotic particles get stuck in the blood vessel = block the vessel until it breaks free

Question 19

Signs and Symptoms of TIA

Answer 19

stroke symptoms that last less than 24 hrs

Question 20

How do you treat TIA?

Answer 20

treat it like a stroke

Question 21

What are 3 conditions that can mimic a stroke?

Answer 21

hypoglycemia | postictal state | subdural/epidural bleeding

Question 22

What is syncope?

Answer 22

temporary LOC due to short period of cerebral hypoxia

Question 23

What are 4 causes of syncope?

Answer 23

hypoglycemia | lack of O2 | vagal stimulation | seizures

Question 24

How do you transport patients who fainted?

Answer 24

SUPINE

Question 25

Define seizure.

Answer 25

uncoordinated, random, chaotic electrical charges in the brain

Question 26

What is a convulsion seizure?

Answer 26

has the tonic/clonic movement

Question 27

What is tonic and clonic?

Answer 27

tonic = rigid muscles | clonic = jerking of extremities

Question 28

What is an aura in seizures?

Answer 28

feeling that you know when a seizure is about to happen

Question 29

What is the post-ictal state of a seizure?

Answer 29

patient is no longer seizing but is still in an altered mental state | doesn't know what happened but is disoriented | still not normal self

Question 30

What is Epilepsy?

Answer 30

disorder of having multiple seizures

Question 31

Stages of a Seizure (Generalized/Convulsion)

Answer 31

Aura > Tonic/Clonic > clenching of jaw/biting of tongue > incontinence > post ictal state

Question 32

What is a Focal seizure?

Answer 32

patient is conscious | a simple part of body is seizing

Question 33

What is status epilepticus?

Answer 33

multiple seizures in one episode | patient does not get out of the post-ictal state

Question 34

What are 4 structural causes of seizures?

Answer 34

tumor | infection | ICP | stroke

Question 35

What are the 4 metabolic causes of a seizure?

Answer 35

hypoxia | hypoglycemia | overdose | Delirium-Tremens

Question 36

What is delirium tremens?

Answer 36

people with alcohol abuse = used to having alcohol in system = withdraw = can cause seizures

Question 37

What is a common type of seizure seen in kids? What is it due to?

Answer 37

febrile seizures = high fevers

Question 38

What are the 5 things you must do for a Seizure case?

Answer 38

remove anything patient can hurt themselves on during a seizure | NEVER restrain | protect head by padding underneath it | LET them have the seizure | ALS

Question 39

What is DM Type I also called? What is it?

Answer 39

juvenile onset | immune system attacks beta cells in pancreas = no insulin = insulin dependent DM

Question 40

What is DM Type II?

Answer 40

have too much insulin in body (not insulin dependent)

Question 41

What is the range for normal blood sugar?

Answer 41

80-120 mg/dl

Question 42

What is the blood sugar range for hyperglycemia?

Answer 42

> 200 mg/dl

Question 43

What is the blood sugar range for hypoglycemia?

Answer 43

60 mg/dl >

Question 44

Signs and Symptoms of hyperglycemia

Answer 44

hypotension | dehydration | excited

Question 45

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Answer 45

300-600 mg/dl | kussmaul respirations (huffing) | sweet, fruity odor

Question 46

Treatment for diabetic cases

Answer 46

supine | O2 | oral glucose (hypoglycemia)

Question 47

Treatment for inhaled poisons

Answer 47

move patient to fresh air | O2

Question 48

How to treat patients who tried to commit suicide by buildup of CO in car?

Answer 48

call additional resources for extrication

Question 49

Signs and Symptoms of skin contact poisons.

Answer 49

burns | itching | irritation

Question 50

Removal method for powder poisons

Answer 50

BRUSH off first | RINSE with water

Question 51

How do we treat poison contact in eyes?

Answer 51

remove contact lenses | irrigate 20 mins

Question 52

What is used to treat ingested poisons?

Answer 52

Activated charcoal

Question 53

Contraindications for active charcoal

Answer 53

N/V | corrosives, caustics or petroleum | decreased LOC

Question 54

What is the dosage for activated charcoal?

Answer 54

1g per 1kg

Question 55

How to treat injected poisons?

Answer 55

airway/O2 | transport

Question 56

Signs and Symptoms of Sedative/Hypnotic drugs (barbiturates and benzos)

Answer 56

ataxia | bradycardia | hypotension | respiratory hypoxia

Question 57

Signs and Symptoms of Delirium Tremens

Answer 57

agitation/restlessness | tremors | hallucinations

Question 58

Signs and Symptoms of opioid drugs

Answer 58

lethargy | constricted pupils | cyanosis | hypotension

Question 59

Signs and Symptoms of a CNS Stimulant (ie: Ecstasy)

Answer 59

hypertension | tachycardia | dilated pupils

Question 60

Signs and Symptoms of hallucinogens

Answer 60

hypertensive | visual disturbances | blank stare | nystagmus | seizures

Question 61

Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Agents

Answer 61

lacrimation | defecation | salivation | urination

Question 62

Signs and Symptoms of food poisoning from botulism

Answer 62

blurry vision | weakness | ataxia | breathing problems