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Caring for Medical Emergencies

Caring for Medical Emergencies. Topics. Illness-Related Emergencies Caring for Specific Illnesses. Objectives . List the common signs and symptoms of a general illness Discuss the steps for assessing an ill person Discuss the common causes of altered mental status

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Caring for Medical Emergencies

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  1. Caring for Medical Emergencies

  2. Topics • Illness-Related Emergencies • Caring for Specific Illnesses

  3. Objectives • List the common signs and symptoms of a general illness • Discuss the steps for assessing an ill person • Discuss the common causes of altered mental status • Describe the signs and symptoms of a person with an altered mental status

  4. Objectives • Discuss the appropriate care for a person with altered mental status • Describe the signs and symptoms of a person experiencing a generalized seizure • Discuss the appropriate care for a person experiencing a generalized seizure • Describe the signs and symptoms of a person experiencing a stroke

  5. Objectives • Discuss the appropriate care for a person experiencing a stroke • Describe the signs and symptoms of a person experiencing a diabetic emergency • Discuss the appropriate care for a person experiencing a diabetic emergency

  6. Objectives • Describe the signs and symptoms of a person experiencing chest pain • Describe the appropriate care for a person experiencing chest pain • Describe the signs and symptoms of a person experiencing difficulty breathing • Discuss the appropriate care for the person experiencing difficulty breathing

  7. Objectives • Describe the signs and symptoms of a cold-related emergency • Describe the appropriate care for a person experiencing a cold-related emergency • Describe the signs and symptoms of a person experiencing a heat-related emergency

  8. Objectives • Discuss the appropriate care for a person experiencing a heat-related emergency • Describe the signs and symptoms of a person experiencing an overdose or poisoning • Discuss the appropriate care for a person experiencing an overdose or poisoning

  9. Objectives • Describe the signs and symptoms of emergencies related to bites and stings • Discuss the appropriate care for a person experiencing an emergency related to a bite or sting

  10. Illness-Related Emergencies • Common signs of illness: • AMS • Unresponsiveness • Abnormal pulse or breathing • Abnormal skin signs • Unusual breath odors • Uncontrolled muscle activity

  11. Illness-Related Emergencies • Common symptoms of illness: • Chest or abdominal pain • Dizziness or headache • Numbness or tingling • Difficulty breathing • Fever or chills • Nausea • Itching or burning skin

  12. Illness-Related Emergencies • Assessment of the Ill Person: • Scene size-up • Primary assessment • Secondary assessment • Reassessment

  13. Quick Check • If there is a problem with the primary assessment, must you still do your best to complete a secondary assessment before EMS arrives? Why or why not?

  14. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Altered mental status: • Signs and symptoms: • Decreased level of consciousness • Confusion/disorientation • Asking repeated questions • Agitation or aggression

  15. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Altered mental status: • Priorities of care

  16. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Seizures: • Signs and symptoms: • Generalized seizure • Convulsions • Epilepsy • Priorities of care: • Protect the person • Airway • Postictal • Recovery position

  17. Quick Check • Assuming that the scene is safe, what is your top priority when caring for a person who is actively convulsing from a seizure?

  18. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Cerebral Vascular Accident (stroke): • Signs and symptoms: • Sudden change in mental status • Headache • Vision problems • Slurred speech • Facial droop • Paralysis (one side) • Priorities of care

  19. Quick Check • What is the ideal position for anyone with altered mental status who does not have a suspected neck or back injury?

  20. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Diabetes: • Signs and symptoms: • Altered mental status • Pale, moist skin • Irritable or unusual behavior • Fruity or sweet breath • Unresponsiveness • Priorities of care

  21. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Chest pain: • Signs and symptoms: • Chest pain • Pressure/heaviness in the chest • Radiating pain • Pale, moist skin • Shortness of breath • Priorities of care

  22. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Breathing problems: • Signs and symptoms: • Labored breathing • Increased breathing rate • Noisy breathing • Anxiety • Use of accessory muscles • Cyanosis • Priorities of care

  23. Quick Check • Is it appropriate to encourage a person to take his medication whether it has expired or not?

  24. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Cold-related emergencies: • Signs and symptoms: • Generalized hypothermia: • Cool skin • Shivering • Altered mental status • Loss of coordination

  25. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Cold-related emergencies: • Signs and symptoms: • Frostbite: • Pale and cold/cool skin • Firmness of skin • Los of sensation • Priorities of care

  26. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Heat-related emergencies: • Signs and symptoms: • AMS • Hot, moist or dry skin • Weakness/exhaustion • Muscle cramps • Dizziness • Priorities of care

  27. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Poisoning and overdose: • Four entry ways: • Ingestion • Injection • Absorption • Inhalation • Signs and symptoms • Priorities of care

  28. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Poisoning and overdose: • Signs and symptoms: • AMS • Convulsions • Difficulty breathing • Shallow respirations • Burns around the mouth • Priorities of care

  29. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Bites and stings: • Signs and symptoms: • Noticeable marks on the skin • Itching • Difficulty breathing • AMS • Dizziness • Nausea/vomiting • Priorities of care

  30. Caring for Specific Illnesses • Severe allergic reaction: • Signs and symptoms: • Swelling (lips, eyelids, throat) • Extreme difficulty breathing • AMS/anxiety • Hives/itching • Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea • Abdominal pain/cramping • Priorities of care

  31. Review Question • You are called to assist a co-worker who is complaining of itchy skin, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. You should suspect: • Generalized seizure • Brain attack (stroke) • Bite or sting • Diabetic emergency

  32. Review Question • Which one of the following is one of the most common signs or symptoms of a sudden illness? • Abdominal pain • Fever or chills • Headache • Altered mental status

  33. Review Question • The bluish color of the skin caused by a lack of oxygen to the tissues is called: • Cyanosis • Hypoxia • Perfusion • Contusion

  34. Review Question • When the normal electrical activity in the brain is interrupted, it can cause: • Angina • Hypoperfusion • Seizures • Strokes

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