Medical Emergencies in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences

Practice flashcards covering definitions, scales, and protocols for medical emergencies in a radiology setting based on Chapter 20.

Emergency

Any situation in which the condition of a patient or a sudden change in medical status requires immediate action.

Crash Cart

An emergency cart containing equipment and drugs for immediate availability during a medical crisis to reduce response time.

AED

Automatic external defibrillators used for ventricular fibrillation; types include fully-automatic and semi-automatic.

GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale)

A scale evaluating LOC based on eye opening, verbal response, and motor response; high score is $15$, and a score of $8$ or less is considered severe.

AVPU

A mental status assessment tool where A stands for alert, V for verbal, P for pain, and U for unresponsive.

Neurogenic Shock

Shock caused by damage to the upper spinal cord or spinal anesthesia.

Hypovolemic Shock

Shock caused by the loss of blood and/or tissue volume.

Cardiogenic Shock

Shock caused by a cardiac event such as infarction.

Vasogenic Shock

Shock caused by sepsis, deep anesthesia, or anaphylaxis.

Anaphylactic Shock

A type of vasogenic shock and the most common type encountered in medical imaging, often associated with contrast media administration.

Hypoglycemia

A condition caused by excessive insulin, which can occur if a patient takes their normal dose but does not eat during exam preparation.

Hyperglycemia

A condition of excessive sugar in the blood that develops gradually over hours or days, characterized by excessive thirst and urination; can lead to a diabetic coma.

Heimlich Maneuver

A technique used to dislodge an airway obstruction using successive abdominal thrusts to increase intra-thoracic pressure.

CAB of CPR

The sequence of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Compressions, Airway, and Breathing (ventilations).

CPR Compression Rate

Compressions should be delivered at a rate of $100$-$120$ per minute.

CPR Compression-to-Ventilation Ratio

The standard cycle consists of $30$ compressions and $2$ breaths.

Narcan (Naloxone)

Medication administered during an opioid-induced cardiac event if a patient has a pulse but is not breathing.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

Commonly called a stroke, it is more likely to occur in patients over $75$ years of age and requires immediate recumbent positioning.

F.A.S.T.

A mnemonic for stroke signs: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech slurred, and Time to call 911.

Epistaxis

The medical term for a nosebleed.

Vertigo

Dizziness that is often a precursor to syncope; requires assisting the patient to a seated or recumbent position.

Syncope

The medical term for fainting; a self-correcting, temporary state of shock resulting from lack of blood flow to the brain.

Aura

A physical sensation experienced by many seizure patients that serves as a precursor or warning sign.

Sims Position

The position used after a seizure where the patient is placed face downward to permit vomitus and secretions to escape.

Wound Dehiscence

A situation where a wound's layers separate, requiring immediate attention.

Claustrophobia

The extreme fear of closed or tight spaces, common in some MR patients.