Cardiac and Pulmonary Emergencies

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

-rapid and irregular twitching of atria, chaotic electrical signals 

-most common type of arrhythmia

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

-congenital heart defect

-extra electrical activity between atria and ventricles = fast heart rate

Premature atrial contractions

early or extra heart beats from the atria

ventricular tachycardia (VT)

-fast and regular heart rate

-emergency if underlying disease

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

-rapid, disorganized electrical signals=ventricular quivering

premature ventricular contractions 

-extra electrical activity / heartbeats from the ventricles 

heart block (AV block)

-delayed or blocked electrical signals from atria to ventricles

-causes bradyarrythmia (slow heart rate)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

-genetic

-thickening and stiff walls of left ventricle snd septum

-can lead to sudden cardiac death or heart failure

Commotio cordis

-trauma to left side thorax

-temporary electrical disturbance 

-leads to ventricle fibrillation 

nitroglycerin

-vasodilator

-used to reduce chest pain

low-dose aspirin

-anti platelet drug

-prevents clots

-decreases risk of heart attack or stroke

OPA

-do not use on conscious patient

-holds tongue away from airway

-measure from counter of mouth to ear

-attach BVM

pulse oximetry 

-normal level 95-100

supplemental oxygen

-use for difficulty breathing, rapid respiration

peek flow meter

-used for patients with asthma

-measures exhalation

-normal range 400-700 l/min

-green 80-100%

-yellow 50-80%

-red <50%

bronchodilators

-opens airways 

-used in inhaler form 

-used for prevention and rescue 

meter dosed inhalers

-delvers a set amount of medication with ever puff

-shake before use, inhale, hold for 10 seconds, exhale

-use spacer for children

nebulizers

-turns liquid medication into mist

-10-15 min treatment

-fill med cup, attach hose, place mask of face, turn on machine, breathe normal