Veterinary Nursing- First Aid and Emergency Treatment

Define first aid

treatment given to an animal by the first person to arrive at the scene

What are the aims of first aid?

to prevent an animals condition deteriorating, to reduce suffering and to preserve life

What are the protocols of first aid?

they aim to reduce mortality rates, coordinating communication with owners, transport of patient and procedures for admission

What should be included on a crash cart?

et tubes and ties, laryngoscope, tracheostomy tubes, ambu bag, syringes and needles, IV cannulas and tape, drugs.

What factors affect the success of emergency medicine?

severity of primary illness, amount of fluid or blood loss, age, pre-existing conditions, extent of injury/trauma or time delays

What are the three categories of first aid-requiring conditions?

life threatening emergencies, emergencies requiring immediate medical attention and minor emergencies

Give examples of life-threatening emergencies

cardiac arrest, severe haemorrhage, RTA, poisoning

Give examples of emergencies requiring immediate medical attention

haematuria, neurological abnormalities, compound fractures, dystocia

Give examples of minor emergencies

minor burns, vomiting, wounds, abscesses, lameness

How do we put animals in the recovery position?

lie the animal in lateral recumbency, check the airway by pulling the tongue to the side and extending the head, stretch out the legs

What is internal bleeding?

bleeding inside the body that is not visible

What is external bleeding?

visible wounds

What is arterial bleeding?

forceful bleeding with bright red blood

What is venous bleeding?

flow of bleeding with darker red blood

What is capillary bleeding?

oozing action with pink/red blood

How can we control bleeding?

direct pressure, maintain for 5 minutes or pressure bandaging applied for short periods of time

What is cardiopulmonary arrest?

a cessation of spontaneous ventilation and systemic perfusion, which without treatment leads to hypoxia and death

What are the signs of cardiac arrest?

agonal breathing, absence of heartbeat, lack of femoral pulse, loss of consciousness, fixed dilated pupils

What is CPR?

cardiopulmonary resuscitation that aims to reverse cpa, maintains ABC's using et tubes, ventilation using ambu bag or anaesthetic circuit and compressions

How do we give compressions?

lay patient in lateral recumbency with hand on chest, forcefully pressing down at 100-120bpm

What measures can we give to provide advanced life support?

fluid bolus, adrenaline, atropine and lidocaine

What are the signs of death?

apnoea, absence of heart beat for more than 3 minutes, loss of corneal reflex or pupil dilation, grey mucous membranes, cooling of body temperature and rigor mortis

What must we establish when taking an emergency phone call?

animal and owner details, nature and extent of injuries

What acronym can be used to take a patients capsule history?

AMPLE

What does AMPLE stand for?

allergies, medications, past history, lasts (meal, medication, defecation, urination) and events

What is the aim of triage?

to assign priority to emergency patients

What are the stages of triage?

primary survey, secondary survey and patient assessment

What do we need to check when establishing 'DRABC'

danger, response airway, breathing and circulation

What acronym is used to structure a patient assessment?

more in depth DRABC

What is involved in the primary survey?

30-60 seconds DRABC

What is involved in the secondary survey?

systematic examination cranially-caudally