Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Human Disease > Medical Emergencies > Flashcards

Medical Emergencies Flashcards

(74 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What could cause upper airway obstruction at dentist?

A

increased blood and saliva for prolonged periods
LA effect pharyngeal reflexes
dental equipment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the most common causes of upper airway obstruction at dentist?

A
  1. inhalation of foreign object

2. laryngospasm (vocal cord spasm = hard to breath/speak)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What symptoms suggest upper airway obstruction?

A
  • sudden onset
  • coughing & spluttering
  • complaint of difficulty breathing
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Symptom of larynx blocked?

A

can’t breath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Symptom of main bronchus blocked?

A

hard to breath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How do you assess upper airway obstruction?

A

LOOK - colour of pt, ease of breathing, paradoxical chest/abdominal movt (one side rises more / chest moves inwards on inhalation), accessory m. used)
LISTEN - absence of or additional sounds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the SIGNS of upper airway obstruction?

A
  • paradoxical chest/abdominal movt (one side rises more / accessory m. used) - seesaw movt.
  • accessory mm used
  • central cyanosis - late sign
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are SIGNS of PARTIAL upper airway obstruction?

A
  • inspiratory stridor (if obstruction at or above larynx)
  • expiratory wheeze (likely if lower airways obstruction)
  • gurgling (suggests liquid / semi-solid foreign material in upper airway)
  • snoring (tongue / palate partially blocks pharynx)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How do you manage upper airway obstruction?

A
  • head tilt / chin lift or jaw thrust
  • remove visible foreign body
  • airway adjuncts (guedel airway)
  • high flow oxygen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are commonest conditions that affect breathing?

A
  • hyperventilation
  • asthma
  • (angina)
  • (heart failure)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How do you assess breathing in ABCDE?

A
  • assess Airway first
  • determine if life threatening condition (asthma, angina, heart failure)
  • LOOK - sweating, central cyanosis, use of accessory m., abdominal breathing
  • count respiratory rate
  • LISTEN - stridor, wheeze, gurgling
  • FEEL - air on cheek
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a normal respiratory rate in adults / children?

A 
Adults = 12-20 breaths /min
Children = 20-30 breaths /min
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Which is worse - an increase of decrease in respiration?

A

decrease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do you manage breathing issues?

A
  • bag & mask
  • pocket mask
  • call 999
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is hyperventilation?

A

Minute ventilation exceeds metabolic demands resulting in haemodynamic changes.
Blowing off too much CO2
Can be acute or chronic
Linked to panic disorder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are symptoms of hyperventilation?

A
  • shortness of breath / wheeze
  • chest pain / palpitations
  • belching / dry mouth
  • dizziness
  • peripheral paresthesia / circumoral numbness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How do you manage hyperventilation?

A
  • reassure pt
  • paper bag / cupped hands
  • small dose of benzodiazepines eg lorazepam (unlikely at dentist)
  • consider anxiety mgt
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Give an example of a benzodiazapine given in hyperventilation?

A

lorazepam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Why might giving a benzodizapine be bad if you think pt is hyperventilating?

A

Benzodiazapines depress respiratory system.

Bad if another cause - asthma, angina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Asthma - two of more of what symptoms must be present to be diagnosed with asthma?

A

wheeze
breathlessness
chest tightness
cough

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

When are asthmatic symptoms likely to be worse?

A
  • at night / early morning
  • after exercise
  • cold air
  • allergen exposure
  • after taking aspirin, beta blockers
  • history of atopy (hyperallergic)
  • family history of atopy or asthma
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Why does aspirin make asthma worse?

A
  • aspirin increases leukotrienes (because COX blocked, therefore decrease in prostaglandin / thromboxane pathway, increase in leukotrienes pathway)
  • leukotrienes increase broncial muscle contraction
  • which increases wheezing / shortness of breath
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How does aspirin work?

A

Membrane phospholipids
I
arachidonic acid
I (COX) I (5-lipoxygenase)
Prostoglandins (inflam) Leukotrienes
Thomboxane (platelet aggregation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is atopy?

A

hyperallergic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are the risk factors for severe asthma?
- previous near fatel asthma (admitted to hospital) - Previous ventilation or respiratory acidosis - previous hospitalisation (esp in past year) - 3+ classes of asthma medication - heavy use of beta2 agonist (asthma not controlled) - brittle asthma (don't respond to treatment, inc inhaled treatments, high dose corticosteroids, long acting beta2 agonists)
26
What psychological issues are linked to asthma?
- non compliance (treatment) - DNA appointments - reduced GP contact - freq home visits - self discharge from hospital - psychosis / depression / self harm - denial - alcohol abuse - obesity - employment issues - income issues - social isolation - childhood abuse - severe domestic / marital / legal stress
27
What could cause acute asthma at dentist?
- LA with vasoconstrictors (sulphites in vasoconstrictors = bronchospasm) - GA / sedatives (avoid - can cause asthma / respiratory failure) - avoid penicillin as many asthmatics are allergic - NSAIDS - aspirin, barbituates, beta-blockers, cyanoacrylates, mefanamic acid, morphine, pancuronium, suxamethonium
28
What drugs should be avoided at dentist for asthmatic?
- LA with vasoconstrictors (sulphites in vasoconstrictors = bronchospasm) - GA / sedatives (avoid - can cause asthma / respiratory failure) - avoid penicillin as many asthmatics are allergic - NSAIDS - aspirin, barbituates, beta-blockers, cyanoacrylates, mefanamic acid, morphine, pancuronium, suxamethonium
29
What are symptoms / signs of MILD asthma?
- increase wheeze - complaints of chest tightness - increased respiratory rate - tachycardia
30
What are symptoms / signs of MODERATE asthma?
- same as mild, but increased symptoms - and increased freq of attacks - no symptoms of severe - wheeze - complaints of chest tightness - increased respiratory rate - tachycardia
31
What are symptoms / signs of SEVERE asthma?
- inability to complete sentences in one breath - respiratory rate >25 breaths/min - tachycardia >110 beats/min (normal = 70) - use of accessory muscles
32
What are symptoms / signs of LIFE THREATENING asthma?
- cyanosis | - respiratory rate
33
How do you manage asthma?
- ABCDE - high flow O2 (10-15L/min) - salbutamol - 4-6 puffs in spacing device. Repeat every 10mins - nebuliser - with salbutamol - 999 if severe
34
What drug goes in nebuliser?
salbutamol
35
How many puffs of which drug should be put into spacing device during asthma attack?
4-6 puffs salbutamol
36
What emergencies affect cardiovascular system at the dentist?
Syncope - most common Heart disease - angina, MI Anaphylaxis
37
What is the most common cardiovascular issue in the dental surgery?
syncope
38
What forms part of the cardiovascular examination in an emergency?
Look at colour of hands - blue, pink, pale, mottled? Assess temp of pt peripheries Capillary refill time - should be
39
Signs and symptoms of syncope?
- pale, sweaty, clammy - light headedness - slow pulse rate (may be rapid) - low BP - (loss of consciousness)
40
What do you do if pt fainted?
- reassure pt - lie back, legs raised - Oxygen 10-15L/min - loosen tight clothing - monitoring breathing and circulation
41
What is recovery rate for a faint?
Fast. | If not a quick recovery, could be another cause (eg MI)
42
What are SYMPTOMS of acute chest pain?
- central crushing chest pain (not always) - may radiate to left arm, neck, back, epigastrium (pain may only be in jaw, arm, epigastrium) - nausea, vomiting - sweating - difficulty breathing / shortness of breath
43
What is the sign of an inferior heart attack?
Slow pulse
44
What is management for angina?
- reassure pt - oxygen - Nitrate - GTN (nitroglycerin)- spray / tablets under tongue - 999 if prolonged
45
What is management for MI?
MONASH! - Monitor pt - Oxygen - Nitrate (GTN) - Aspirin (300mg PO) - Help - 999
46
What dose of aspirin should be given in MI?
300mg PO
47
What is anaphylaxis?
Hypersensitivity reactions - mild symptoms - urticaria, pruritis (itching) - severe symptoms - hypotension, airway compromise Acute, life threatening, IgE antibody-antigen mediated hypersensitivity reaction Life threatening airway +/- breathing +/- circulation problems Linked to skin and mucosal changes
48
What is pruritis?
itching
49
What % of pop is affected by anaphylaxis?
up to 15%
50
Common causes of anaphylaxis?
Food - shellfish, nuts, milk products, eggs, nitrates/nitrites (eg bacon, processed meat, some veg) Drugs - penicillins, muscle relaxants, NSAIDS, opiates Latex Radiographic contrast media Additives in medicines (inc topical drugs)
51
What acronym covers symptoms of anaphylaxis? What are the symptoms of each letter?
FAST Face - rash, swelling, urticaria, erythema, rhinitis (runny nose), conjunctivitis, red/pale face Airway - hard to breath, swallow, speak, tongue swelling, hoarse voice, bronchospasm (leads to wheeze), upper airway oedema (leads to stridor) Stomach - pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea Total body - rash, swelling, weakness, pallor/cyanosis, sense of doom, loss of consciousness, hypotension
52
What are the facial symptoms of anaphylaxis?
rash, swelling, urticaria, erythema, rhinitis (runny nose), conjunctivitis, red/pale face
53
What are the airway symptoms of anaphylaxis?
hard to breath, swallow, speak, tongue swelling, hoarse voice, bronchospasm (leads to wheeze), upper airway oedema (leads to stridor)
54
What are the stomach symptoms of anaphylaxis?
pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
55
What are the total body symptoms of anaphylaxis?
rash, swelling, weakness, pallor/cyanosis, sense of doom, loss of consciousness, hypotension
56
How do you manage anaphylaxis?
- ABCDE Airway - ensure patent, give oxygen Breathing - assess respiratory rate, consider salbutamol in spacer device Circulation - lie pt flat, check pulse and BP Adrenaline - epi-pen - 0.3mL or 1:1000 (300mcg) - IM - 0.5mL of 1:1000 (500mcg) - repeat after 5 mins (or 10 / 15 mins) Disability - assess conscious level Exposure - extent of rash MUST go to hospital
57
What are the signs of hypoglycaemia?
- sweating, clammy, trembling - rapid heartbeat - poor concentration - slurred speech, can't complete sentences - aggression - fitting - loss of consciousness
58
How do you confirm a diagnose of hypoglycaemia?
automated blood glucose measurement device | aka glucometer
59
What is a normal blood glucose level?
4-7mmol/L before food
60
What blood glucose level suggests hypoglycaemia?
61
How do you treat hypoglycaemia?
- oral glucose - drink, tablets, glucose gel - can't swallow - buccal glucose gel - IM glucagon (glycogen to glucose in liver)
62
How long will recovery after glucagon IM given in hypoglycaemia?
10mins
63
What glucagon dose should be given in hypoglycaemia?
Adults - 1mg (IM) Children 8yrs+ / 25kg+ - 1mg (IM) Children
64
What is epilepsy?
- common, chronic neurological disorder - recurrent seizures due to abnormal neuronal activity in brain - can be unprovoked, flashing lights, hyperventilation - mild = disorientation - moderate = collapse - severe = consulsions
65
What are the types of epileptic seizure?
Simple partial seizure - hallucination, confusion, disorientation Complex partial seizure - may become unconscious Tonic-clonic seizure - unconscious, then convulsions
66
What is a Simple partial seizure?
hallucination, confusion, disorientation
67
What is a complex partial seizure?
may become unconscious
68
What is a tonic-clonic seizure?
unconscious, then convulsions
69
What are signs / symptoms of tonic-clonic seizure?
- may see aura before seizure - tonic phase - brief cry before loss of consciousness, rigid extended body - clonic phase - widespread jerking movt May also have - tongue biting, incontinence, cyanosis
70
What is speed of recovery post-epileptic fit?
Slow. | pt may be confused.
71
How do you manage epileptic fit?
ABCDE - circulation - may be hypotensive - disability - check glucose (pt with hypoglycaemia may have a fit) MOVE - Monitor - reassess ABCDE - Oxygen - Verify help coming - prepare doc for transfer - Emergency action - recovery position, away from sources of injury
72
What do you do in self-terminating seizure?
- recovery position - if know epileptic, check they are accompanied - may not want to go to hospital
73
What do you do in a prolonged seizure?
- ensure good airway - consider buccal or intranasal midazolam - 999 (may not need if it happens a lot)
74
What drug might you give in prolonged seizure and what are dose levels?
Midazolam 1-5yrs = 5mg 5-10yrs = 7.5mg 10yrs+ = 10mg NB only give if confident

Human Disease (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions