OSCA Emergency Assessment and Clinical Management

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the primary survey (ABCDE), oxygenation devices and criteria, pharmacology, and core acute presentations including Asthma, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Anaphylaxis, and Opioid Overdose.

AVPU Scale

A rapid assessment framework used to evaluate neurological response (R) by classifying patient responsiveness as Alert, Responsive to Voice, Responsive to Pain, or Unresponsive.

ABCDE Approach

A systematic primary assessment protocol for evaluating and treating critically ill patients, addressing Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure in order of priority.

$\text{SpO}_2$ Interpretation Categories

Clinical oxygen saturation benchmarks and corresponding actions: Normal ($95\text{--}100\%$, monitor), Mild hypoxaemia ($91\text{--}94\%$, assess and consider $O_2$), Moderate hypoxaemia ($86\text{--}90\%$, oxygen therapy), and Severe hypoxaemia ($\le 85\%$, urgent intervention).

Nasal Cannula

A low-flow oxygen delivery device operating at a flow rate of $1\text{--}6\,L/\text{min}$ that delivers a fraction of inspired oxygen ($\text{FiO}_2$) of $24\text{--}44\%$.

Simple Face Mask

A variable-performance oxygen mask delivering a flow rate of $5\text{--}10\,L/\text{min}$ with an estimated $\text{FiO}_2$ range of $40\text{--}60\%$.

Non-Rebreather Mask (NRB)

A high-concentration oxygen reservoir mask delivering an $\text{FiO}_2$ of $90\text{--}100\%$ at a set flow rate of $10\text{--}15\,L/\text{min}$.

Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM / Ambu Bag)

A positive-pressure ventilatory support device delivering $90\text{--}100\%$ $\text{FiO}_2$ at an oxygen flow rate of $15\,L/\text{min}$, indicated at $10\text{--}12\text{ breaths/min}$ for inadequate ventilation or respiratory arrest.

Normal Adult Urine Output

The standard physiological output range of $0.5\text{--}1\,mL/kg/\text{hour}$, corresponding to minimum rates such as $> 25\,mL/\text{hour}$ for a $50\,kg$ adult, $> 35\,mL/\text{hour}$ for a $70\,kg$ adult, and $> 50\,mL/\text{hour}$ for a $100\,kg$ adult.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A neurological assessment measuring Eye response ($1\text{--}4$), Verbal response ($1\text{--}5$), and Motor response ($1\text{--}6$) totaling 3 to 15. A score of $\le 8$ indicates severe impairment, coma, and inability to protect the airway.

Blood Glucose Level (BGL) Ranges

Physiological glycemic thresholds: normal range is $4\text{--}8\,mmol/L$, hypoglycaemia is below $4\text{--}8\,mmol/L$ (treated with IV glucose or IM glucagon), high reading is $8\text{--}15\,mmol/L$, and hyperglycaemia is above $15\,mmol/L$.

Asthmatic Airway Pathophysiology

Airway changes occurring during an acute exacerbation, consisting of smooth muscle tightening (bronchoconstriction), mucosal inflammation and wall thickening, and alveolar air trapping.

Salbutamol

A Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (SABA) bronchodilator that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle with an onset of action of $5\text{--}15\text{ mins}$ and a duration of $3\text{--}6\text{ hours}$; side effects include tremor, palpitations, and headache.

Ipratropium

A Short-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (SAMA) anticholinergic bronchodilator added via nebuliser in moderate-to-severe acute asthma; exhibits an onset of $15\text{--}30\text{ mins}$ and a duration of $2\text{--}4\text{ hours}$.

Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate

A smooth muscle relaxant indicated in severe or life-threatening asthma that has failed to respond to initial inhaled bronchodilators; additionally stabilizes the heart from beta-agonist side effects.

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

A medical emergency characterized by the obstruction of coronary artery blood flow—typically by an atherosclerotic plaque and thrombus—resulting in myocardial ischemia and tissue necrosis.

Aspirin (AMI Indication)

An antiplatelet agent administered as a single chewable $300\,mg$ oral dose during acute coronary syndrome to prevent platelet aggregation and thrombus propagation.

Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN)

A sublingual vasodilator that widens vascular beds and improves coronary blood flow; administered as 1 spray every $5\text{ minutes}$ up to a maximum of 3 doses, contraindicated if systolic blood pressure is below $100\,mmHg$.

Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

A severe hypersensitivity presentation featuring airway compromise (stridor, hoarse voice), breathing distress (wheezing, dyspnoea), hypotension, tachycardia, angioedema, and urticaria (hives).

Intramuscular Adrenaline

The first-line emergency medication for anaphylaxis that combats laryngeal edema and vasodilation; repeated after $5\text{ minutes}$ if symptoms fail to resolve.

Serum Tryptase

A mast cell marker assessed via diagnostic laboratory blood sampling to confirm mast cell degranulation in acute anaphylactic reactions.

Classic Opioid Overdose Triad

The hallmark diagnostic triad of opioid toxicity comprising central respiratory depression, loss of consciousness (coma), and pinpoint pupils (miosis).

Naloxone

A competitive opioid receptor antagonist with high affinity for $\mu$ (mu) opioid receptors; acts within $2\text{--}3\text{ minutes}$ via IV to reverse respiratory depression, with a short half-life of $30\text{--}90\text{ minutes}$.

Isotonic Fluid Bolus

An intravenous administration of $500\,mL$ of $0.9\%$ sodium chloride given over $5\text{--}10\text{ minutes}$ to rapidly restore circulating intravascular volume in hypotension, hypovolemia, or shock.

Silent Chest

A grave red-flag clinical finding in severe asthma where extreme bronchoconstriction and air limitation lead to absent breath sounds and cessation of wheezing, signaling imminent respiratory arrest.

Novel Synthetic Opioids Overdose Presentation

Systemic features associated with high-potency synthetic opioid poisoning, including coma, cyanosis, chest wall rigidity, pulmonary edema, gurgling breath sounds, foaming of the mouth, bradycardia, hypotension, and ileus.

Bradypnoea in Opioid Overdose

A pathologically low respiratory rate of $4\text{--}8\text{ breaths/min}$ (or below 8) caused by central nervous system depression, mandating immediate bag-valve-mask ventilatory support with $100\%$ oxygen.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

An acute-phase inflammatory protein synthesized by the liver in response to inflammatory mediators; sampled to assess and quantify systemic inflammation.