Emergency Medical Protocols and Anatomy: SAMPLE, DCAP-BTLS, and Vital Signs

What does SAMPLE stand for?

Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Last Oral Intake, Events Leading Up

What does DCAP-BTLS stand for?

Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling

What is expressed consent?

Consent given verbally or by action from a competent patient

What is implied consent?

Consent assumed when a patient is unconscious or unable to make decisions

What is informed consent?

Consent given after risks and benefits are explained

What information should be included in a verbal report to the hospital?

Unit ID, age, sex, chief complaint, vitals, treatment, ETA

What is the adult CPR compression rate?

100-120 compressions per minute

How deep should adult CPR compressions be?

At least 2 inches

How often should breaths be given with an advanced airway?

1 breath every 6 seconds

What is a sign of partial airway obstruction?

Coughing

What is another sign of partial airway obstruction?

Wheezing

What are the three parts of a breathing assessment?

Look, Listen, Feel

What is the normal adult respiratory rate?

12-20 breaths per minute

What is the flow rate for a nasal cannula?

1-6 L/min

What is the flow rate for a nonrebreather mask?

10-15 L/min

What is the flow rate for a BVM?

15 L/min

When should a patient be ventilated with a BVM?

When breathing is absent, too slow, or inadequate

What happens during an asthma attack?

Bronchioles constrict, swell, and produce mucus

What lung sound is commonly heard with asthma?

Wheezing

What is pneumonia?

An infection of the lungs

What lung sound is commonly heard with pneumonia?

Crackles

How should a stoma patient be ventilated?

Through the stoma

What is the primary function of capillaries?

Exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste

What is perfusion?

The circulation of blood to tissues

What are signs of inadequate perfusion?

Pale skin, altered mental status, weak pulse, cool skin

What is the late sign of shock?

Hypotension

What is profound hypotension?

Blood pressure too low to adequately perfuse tissues

What is hypovolemic shock?

Shock caused by blood or fluid loss

What is cardiogenic shock?

Shock caused by heart pump failure

What is obstructive shock?

Shock caused by a physical blockage of circulation

What is neurogenic shock?

Shock caused by loss of nervous system control of blood vessels

What is septic shock?

Shock caused by severe infection

What is anaphylactic shock?

Shock caused by a severe allergic reaction

What are the components of blood?

Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets

What do red blood cells do?

Carry oxygen

What do white blood cells do?

Fight infection

What do platelets do?

Help blood clot

What is visceral?

The membrane covering an organ

What is parietal?

The membrane lining a body cavity

What is physiology?

The study of how the body functions

Why is trending important?

It shows changes in patient condition over time

What is the normal adult pulse rate?

60-100 beats per minute

What is tachycardia?

Heart rate greater than 100 bpm

What is bradycardia?

Heart rate less than 60 bpm

What does blood pressure measure?

The force of blood against artery walls

What does the systolic blood pressure represent?

Pressure when the heart contracts

What does the diastolic blood pressure represent?

Pressure when the heart relaxes

What medication reverses opioid overdoses?

Naloxone (Narcan)

What medication is used for severe allergic reactions?

Epinephrine

What does activated charcoal do?

Absorbs certain poisons in the digestive tract

What is an autoinjector?

A device that automatically injects medication

What is ATP?

The cell's main energy source

What organelle produces most ATP?

Mitochondria

How many chambers does the heart have?

Four

What are the four chambers of the heart?

Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle

Which chamber of the heart is the strongest?

Left ventricle

What type of bleeding is easiest to control?

Capillary bleeding

What type of bleeding is most serious?

Arterial bleeding

What does proximal mean?

Closer to the torso

What does distal mean?

Farther from the torso

What does superior mean?

Toward the head

What does inferior mean?

Toward the feet

What does medial mean?

Toward the midline

What does lateral mean?

Away from the midline

What does hypoglycemic mean?

Low blood sugar

What are signs of hypoglycemia?

Sweating, confusion, weakness, altered mental status

What does the sympathetic nervous system activate?

Fight-or-flight response

What are effects of the sympathetic nervous system?

Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils