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EMT Test 5 > Special Populations > Flashcards

Flashcards in Special Populations Deck (59)
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1
Q

disability

A

conditions interfering with the ability to engage in activities of daily living

2
Q

hearing loss

A

can come from trauma/medical or congenital birth defect

3
Q

advanced directive that EMS uses

A

DNR

4
Q

what can we do help you - what works well - how do you normally move the pt

A

.

5
Q

ventilate with BVM

A

.

6
Q

congential disease

A

from birth

7
Q

Acquired

A

deafness could be in both categories

8
Q

CPAP

A

Continuous Positive Pressure Devices

9
Q

trach tube 15mm adapter BVM fits on it

A

….

10
Q

AICD - Automatic Internal Cardiac Defibrillator

A

if it is firing it is an ALS call

11
Q

don’t take blood pressure on the arm with a fistula

A

..

12
Q

PICC line

A

peripherally inserted central catheter - central IV catheter

13
Q

Disability

A

• Condition interfering with the ability to engage in activities of daily living
• Developmental disability
– Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome
• Result of traumatic injury or medical condition
– Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury

14
Q

Terminal Illness

A

• End stage cancer, heart failure, kidney failure, progressive fatal diseases
(Huntington’s, Lou Gehrig’s)
• May depend on technology to sustain life or relieve pain
• Advance directives
• Special emotional needs

15
Q

Obesity

A
  • Increases risk of multiple diseases
  • Special measures to care for obese patient
  • Allow patient to assume comfortable position for breathing
  • Have enough assistance when lifting or moving patient
16
Q

Homelessness and Poverty

A
• Serious health problems related to homelessness and poverty
– Mental health problems
– Malnutrition
– Substance abuse problems
– HIV/AIDS
– Tuberculosis
– Pneumonia
17
Q

Autism

A

• Affects 1 in 91 children
• Affects ability to communicate
• May need to modify assessment
techniques and treatment protocols

18
Q

ABCS of Dealing with Autistic Patients

A
  • Awareness
  • Basic
  • Calm
  • Safe
19
Q

Autism Awareness

A
  • EMT must adapt approach and strategies to patient
  • Disruption of routine not well tolerated by patient
  • Communication can be challenging
  • May have escalation or meltdown—involuntary tantrum-like behavior
20
Q

Autism Interactions Basics

A
  • Instructions—simple, clear precise
  • Questions—short, closed-ended
  • Equipment—keep to minimum; do not overstimulate
  • Treatment—defer interventions that are precautions rather than necessary
21
Q

Autism Calm

A
  • Calm creates calm
  • Start with one-to-one contact
  • Clear, controlled voice
  • Empathy, compassion
  • Take extra time—unless life-threatening emergency, follow patient’s timeline
22
Q

Autism Safe

A
  • Begin treatment where patient is found
  • Remove things that may aggravate child
  • Do toe-to-head survey, one step at a time
  • Consider taking breaks during exam
  • Let patient tell you when ready for next step
23
Q

Advanced Devices: Knowledgable Caregivers / Pt

A
  • Caregivers likely trained on device
  • Ask: Has problem occurred before? What fixed it?
  • Have you been taught how to fix this problem?
  • Have you tried to fix this problem? What happened?
  • How do you normally move patient?
24
Q

Following Protocols

A
  • Is the problem with the device life threatening?
  • Do I have the knowledge to fix this problem?
  • Do I have supplies needed to fix this problem?
  • Is it within my protocols or within medical control authorization?
25
Q

Types of Diseases

A

• Congenital
– Congenital heart disease, cleft palate, congenital deafness
• Acquired
– COPD, AIDS, traumatic spinal cord injury, deafness

26
Q

Special Concerns

A

• Patient with a chronic disease may experience sudden worsening of disease
• Patient may also develop acute illness
– Acute illness may be more devastating because of coexisting chronic disease

27
Q

Respiratory Devices

A
  • Continuous positive airway pressure devices
  • Tracheostomy tubes
  • Home ventilators
28
Q

EMT Assessment and Transport

A
  • Problems not usually related to machine
  • Patient may wish to bring machine to hospital
  • Alert ER staff of use in radio report
29
Q

Tracheostomy Tubes

A
  • Surgical opening through neck into trachea in which breathing tube is placed
  • BVM fits on end of tube
  • Mucus build-up in tube
  • Patient may or may not be able to speak
30
Q

EMT Assessment and Transport

Tracheostomy Tubes

A
  • Check tube
  • If clogged, clear using whistle tip catheter
  • Patient may buck during suction
  • May need to ventilate with BVM
  • During transport, elevate patient’s head to allow drainage
31
Q

Home Ventilators EMT Assessment & Transport

A
  • Make sure vent tube has no mucus build-up
  • Assure that BVM is connected to oxygen
  • If transporting ventilator, secure device
32
Q

Cardiac Devices

A
  • Implanted pacemaker
  • Automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator (AICD)
  • Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
33
Q

AICD

A
  • Implanted in upper left chest or upper left abdominal quadrant
  • Detects life-threatening cardiac rhythms
  • Delivers shock to correct dysrhythmia
  • Shock very painful to patient
  • Cannot be felt by caregivers
34
Q

EMT Assessment and Transport: ACID

A
  • May want to request ALS
  • Treat as high-risk cardiac patient
  • High-concentration oxygen
  • Frequent reassessment
  • If cardiac arrest, use CPR and AED as indicated
35
Q

LVAD EMT Assessment and Transport

A
  • Battery failure: plug into AC source
  • Pump failure: use hand or foot pump
  • Battery should be secured so as not to pull tubing
36
Q

Gastrourinary Devices

A
  • Feeding tubes
  • Urinary catheters
  • Ostomy bags
37
Q

Feeding Tubes EMT Assessment and Transport

A
  • Secure tube to patient’s body with tape prior to transport
  • Keep nutrients higher than tube
  • Put protective cap in place to prevent leakage
38
Q

Urinary Catheters EMT

Assessment and Transport

A
  • During transport, keep catheter bag lower than patient (not on floor)
  • Document any urine discoloration or odor
  • Empty bag if one-third to one half full
  • Document amount emptied
39
Q

Ostomy Bags

A
  • Connected to site of colostomy or ileostomy
  • Not visible through clothing
  • Common problems: infection at stoma site, blockage, dislodgement
40
Q

Ostomy Bags EMT

Assessment and Transport

A
  • Use care when transporting patient

* Object is to prevent breakage or dislodgement of bag

41
Q

Dialysis

A
• Patient has renal failure
• Dialysis replaces functions of kidney: waste removal and fluid removal
• Two forms of dialysis
– Hemodialysis
– Peritoneal dialysis
42
Q

Hemodialysis

A
  • Performed by attaching patient to external machine (dialyzer)
  • Usually at dialysis center
  • Large needles and tubing remove and return blood
  • Complications: bleeding from A-V fistula, infection
43
Q

Peritoneal Dialysis

A
  • Permanent catheter implanted through abdominal wall into peritoneal cavity
  • Dialysis solution runs into abdominal cavity and is absorbed by intestines
  • Complications: dislodging of catheter, infection (peritonitis)
44
Q

Dialysis EMT

Assessment and Transport

A
  • Don’t take blood pressure on any arm with shunt, fistula, or graft
  • Rupture of shunt, fistula, or graft causes fast, significant blood loss
  • Direct pressure to control bleeding
  • Treat for shock
  • Transport
45
Q

Central IV Catheters

A

• Surgically inserted for long-term delivery of medications or fluids
– IV chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition
• Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
• Central venous line
• Implanted port
• Complication: infection at site

46
Q

Central IV Catheters EMT

Assessment and Transport

A
  • Use of central IV usually restricted to hospital personnel
  • Be aware of type of catheter
  • Avoid tugging
  • Avoid contamination
47
Q

Physical Impairments

A

• Hearing, sight, speech, walking, standing
• Each limitation requires different
assessment/treatment approaches
• Physical impairment does not mean mental impairment
• Impairment may be partial or complete

48
Q

Physical Impairments EMT

Assessment and Transport

A
  • Provide necessary assistance
  • Assess impairment—baseline or new
  • Determine comfort level
  • Explain actions and treatments
  • When transporting, bring all aids required by patient
49
Q

Abuse and Neglect

Vulnerable Population

A
  • Patients dependent on others
  • More vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect
  • May be children or adults
  • Elderly especially vulnerable
50
Q

Abuse and Neglect

What to Look For

A
  • Stories that are inconsistent with injuries
  • Multiple injuries in various stages of healing
  • Repeated injuries
  • Caregivers’ indifference to patient
51
Q

Abuse and Neglect

What to Do

A

• Do not make accusations
• Do best to get patient out of environment
• Report suspicions according to
requirements of jurisdiction

52
Q

Chapter Review: Special

A

• Patients with special challenges include those who are homeless or living in poverty, are very obese, have sensory impairments, are terminally ill, have developmental disorders, and who are technology-dependent.

53
Q

Chapter Review: Special

A
  • A disability is a condition that interferes with a person’s ability to engage in everyday activities, such as working or caring for oneself.
  • The homeless, poor, and obese are at increased risk for health problems.
54
Q

Chapter Review: Special

A
  • Do not assume that a particular patient with special challenges requires EMS for problems related to the disability or chronic condition.
  • Treat patients with special challenges with empathy and respect.
55
Q

Chapter Review: Special

A

• When dealing with patients who have autism, use ABCS: Awareness, Basic, Calm, and Safety.
• Patients, their families, and their
caregivers are often very knowledgeable about patient needs and special equipment. Rely on their expertise and
involve them in care.

56
Q

Remember: Special

A

• Assistive equipment and special
accommodations allow many with special challenges to live normal lives.
• Beware of overstimulating a patient with an autism spectrum disorder.

57
Q

Remember: Special

A

• To ensure proper care, you must recognize, understand, and evaluate the patient’s special health care challenges in
addition to the presenting problem or chief complaint that led to the call to EMS.

58
Q

Remember: Special

A

Remember
• Caregivers and patients can provide valuable information on special health challenges and advanced medical devices.
• A chronic disease or medical condition may present as a primary problem or may complicate another illness or injury.

59
Q

Remember: Special

A

• When encountering an advanced medical device, consider what the device is doing
for the patient and how important the device is to the patient’s survival.
• Special health challenges often make patients more vulnerable to abuse and neglect.