Medical Emergencies

Question 1

What is an emergency?

Answer 1

Any situation in which the condition of a patient or a sudden change in medical status necessitates immediate attention and action

Question 2

What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?

Answer 2

Neurologic Assessment tool; Address three areas of neurological functioning: Eyes open, motor response & verbal response; 15pts total

Question 3

Signs of LOC

Answer 3

Signs of Levels of Consciousness: Alert & conscious, drowsy, unconscious, comatose

Question 4

What are deteriorating situations?

Answer 4

Sudden irritability, lethargy, slowing pulse/respiratory rate, change in LOC

Question 5

What is shock?

Answer 5

Failure of circulatory system to support vital body functions; Body’s reaction to illness, trauma or severe physiologic/emotional stress

Question 6

What is shock caused by?

Answer 6

Loss of body fluid, cardiac failure, decrease blood vessel tone or obstruction in blood flow to vital organs

Question 7

What are the four types of shock?

Answer 7

Cardiogenic, Hypovolemic, Neurogenic & Vasogenic Shock

Question 8

What is Neurogenic Shock?

Answer 8

Blood vessels become relaxed dilated (Blood pools in venous system); Caused by spinal anesthesia or damage to upper spinal cord

Question 9

What is Hypovolemic Shock?

Answer 9

Insufficient amount of fluid & heart unable to pump enough to body; Caused by loss of blood or tissue (Hemorrhage, burns, vomiting, diarrhea, GI bleeding)

Question 10

What is Cardiogenic Shock?

Answer 10

Failure of heart to pump an adequate amount of blood to organs; Caused by a variety of cardiac disorders

Question 11

What is Vasogenic Shock?

Answer 11

Peripheral vascular dilation produced by factors such as toxins that directly affect blood vessels; Caused by sepsis, deep anesthesia, anaphylaxis

Question 12

What is the most common cause of 7% of heart attack deaths?

Answer 12

Cardiogenic Shock

Question 13

What is anaphylactic shock?

Answer 13

Vasogenic Shock; Most common in rad dept; May occur w/ contrast media administation

Question 14

How is shock severity and time related?

Answer 14

Longer it takes to develop reaction, the less severe it is; Most severe reactions arise quickly

Question 15

What are mild reactions?

Answer 15

Localized itching (@ injection site); Urticaria (Hives); Nasal congestion; Swelling (Eyes & face); Tearing of eyes; Flushed (warm feeling); Nausea & vomiting

Question 16

What are moderate reactions?

Answer 16

Tachycardia/Bradycardia; Hypotension/Hypertension; Bronchospasm (wheezing/constricted airways); Dyspnea; Laryngeal edema (acute inflammation causing air flow obstruction)

Question 17

What are severe reactions?

Answer 17

Decreased BP; Weak/thready pulse; Bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, severe dyspnea, cyanosis; Dysphasia, abdominal cramping, vomiting, diarrhea; seizures, respiratory/cardiac arrest

Question 18

What position facilitates breathing?

Answer 18

Semi-Fowlers position/sitting position

Question 19

What is PE?

Answer 19

Pulmonary Embolus; Occlusion of pulmonary arteries by thrombus; Blood clot forms & lodges in pulmonary artery; Originates in lower extremity & travels to lungs

Question 20

What causes PE and what are its symptoms?

Answer 20

Trauma, surgical procedures (orthopedic & abdominal), pregnancy, CHF, prolonged immobility; swelling in lower extremities, pain, sudden onset

Question 21

What is Diabetes Mellitus (Definition, Cause, Result)?

Answer 21

Group of metabolic diseases that result from a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism; Caused from insufficient production of insulin or inadequate utilization of insulin; Results in abnormal amount of glucose in blood or hyperglycemia

Question 22

What are the four types of diabetes mellitus?

Answer 22

Type I & II, diabetes associated w/ other conditions & gestational diabetes

Question 23

What is hypoglycemia (Definition, Cause)?

Answer 23

Excessive insulin is present (low blood sugar); Caused by patient taking normal dose of insulin without eating

Question 24

What are the symptoms of Hypoglycemia? And what treatment is used?

Answer 24

Intense hunger, weakness, shaky, sweat excessively, confused/irritable; quick form of carbohydrate or glucose tablet

Question 25

What is Hyperglycemia (Definition, Development time)?

Answer 25

Excessive sugar in blood and characteristics of diabetes; Gradually develops over hours/days

Question 26

What are the symptoms of Hyperglycemia? And what treatment is used?

Answer 26

Excessive thirst & urination, dry mucosa, rapid/deep breathing, drowsy/confused; Insulin required (diabetic coma if untreated)

Question 27

What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (Definition, cause)?

Answer 27

Insufficient insulin causes liver to produce more glucose resulting in hyperglycemia; kidneys excrete glucose w/ water & electrolytes resulting in polyuria, dehydration & electrolyte imbalance

Question 28

What may diabetic ketoacidosis result from?

Answer 28

Patient detained in imaging department & missing insulin medication

Question 29

What are symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis?

Answer 29

Tachycardia, headache, blurred/double vision, extreme thirst, sweet odor to breath

Question 30

What is CVA (Alternate names, cause)?

Answer 30

Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke/Brain Attack); Due to occlusion/rupture of blood supply to brain

Question 31

What are symptoms to CVA?

Answer 31

Paralysis on one/both sides, slurred/no speech, extreme dizziness, loss of vision, severe headache, temporary loss of consciousness

Question 32

What are seizures (definition, cause)?

Answer 32

Generalized brain function disturbance & changes in LOC; Caused by infectious disease, extreme stress, head trauma, brain tumors, vascular disease, congenital malformation, odors/flashing lights (seizure patients)

Question 33

What are different types of Generalized seizures?

Answer 33

Tonic-clonic/Grand mal seizure; absence or petit mal seizure

Question 34

What are Generalized seizures?

Answer 34

Affects both sides of brain

Question 35

What are symptoms of generalized seizures?

Answer 35

Sharp cry as air is rapidly exhaled; rigid muscles & wide eyes; jerky body movements, rapid irregular respirations; vomit/froth; urinary/fecal incontinence; deep sleep after seizure

Question 36

What are Complex seizures?

Answer 36

Focal/Partial seizure; Affects one side of brain

Question 37

What are symptoms and signs of complex seizure?

Answer 37

Motionless or emotional outburst of fear, crying, anger; Facial grimacing, lip smacking, swallowing, panting; confusion for several minutes after episode w/ no memory of incident (affects memory)

Question 38

What are Simple seizures?

Answer 38

Focal/Partial seizure; finger/hand shaking, unintelligible speech, dizzy, strange odors, tastes or sounds, does not loose conscious (no affect on memory)

Question 39

How can seizure patients be helped?

Answer 39

Pillow under head; No restraints; do not insert hard object in patient’s mouth; Sim’s position

Question 40

What is Syncope & Vertigo?

Answer 40

Syncope = fainting; Vertigo = dizziness; Vertigo is a precursor to syncope; transient loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood supply to brain

Question 41

How can a patient be assisted to fall?

Answer 41

Knees behind patient & arms around waist

Question 42

What are signs of agitated/confused patients?

Answer 42

History of outbursts/growing confusion/disorientation; increasing agitation (pacing back & forth); animated & noisy conversation with person not present