3 Patient Care: Medical Emergencies (Radiation Oncology)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to medical emergencies, shock types, diabetic crises, respiratory and cardiac events, neurological emergencies, and oncology-specific acute conditions.

Medical Emergency

A sudden change in a patient’s condition requiring immediate action to preserve life and prevent further harm.

Emergency Priorities

Open airway, control bleeding, manage shock, attend to wounds/fractures, provide emotional support, and continually reevaluate the patient.

Crash Cart (Emergency Cart)

A wheeled cart that carries equipment and drugs needed for resuscitation and other emergencies.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to restore normal heart rhythm.

Head Injury—Levels of Consciousness

Alert, Drowsy (responds to voice/touch), Unconscious (responds to pain), Comatose (no response).

Shock

Life-threatening failure of the circulatory system to support vital body functions; requires immediate treatment.

Compensatory Stage of Shock

Early stage with cellular changes; skin cold/clammy, decreased urine output, but blood pressure remains normal.

Progressive Stage of Shock

Mean arterial pressure falls, capillary leak causes hypovolemia, organ systems begin to fail, tachycardia ~150 bpm.

Irreversible Stage of Shock

Organ damage is permanent, blood pressure stays low, renal/liver failure, lactic acidosis; recovery unlikely.

Hypovolemic Shock

Shock due to severe blood or fluid loss (15–25 %), e.g., hemorrhage, burns, prolonged vomiting/diarrhea.

Cardiogenic Shock

Shock caused by the heart’s inability to pump enough blood, often after myocardial infarction.

Neurogenic Shock

Shock resulting from disruption of autonomic pathways (e.g., spinal cord injury) causing vasodilation and hypotension.

Vasogenic Shock

Shock from excessive vasodilation without fluid loss; includes septic and anaphylactic types.

Septic Shock

Vasogenic shock caused by bacterial toxins leading to inappropriate vasodilation; 40–50 % mortality.

Anaphylactic Shock

Acute systemic allergic reaction (e.g., to contrast media, latex) with massive mediator release causing airway, cardiovascular, and skin symptoms.

Contrast Media Reaction

Allergic response to iodinated contrast; ranges from itching and urticaria to laryngeal edema and cardiac arrest.

Latex Allergy

Hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex proteins, presenting as dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, or anaphylaxis.

Type 1 Diabetes

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells; abrupt onset in youth; requires exogenous insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin resistance or impaired insulin production, usually in adults; often managed with lifestyle changes.

Hypoglycemia

Excessive insulin causing low blood glucose; rapid onset of hunger, sweating, shaking, confusion.

Hyperglycemia

Excess blood glucose; develops gradually, may progress to ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar coma.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Insulin deficiency leads to hyperglycemia, ketone production, dehydration, and metabolic acidosis; more common in Type 1.

Hyperosmolar Coma (HHNK)

Severe hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar non-ketotic state in Type 2 diabetes, often in elderly; treated like DKA.

Syncope

Transient loss of consciousness from reduced cerebral blood flow, with rapid, complete recovery.

Seizure

Uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain causing involuntary movements and altered consciousness.

Grand Mal (Tonic-Clonic) Seizure

Generalized seizure with loss of consciousness, muscle rigidity (tonic) followed by jerking (clonic).

Petit Mal (Absence) Seizure

Brief staring spell with impaired awareness; no convulsions.

Myoclonic Seizure

Quick, involuntary muscle jerks that may be focal or generalized.

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory airway disease with wheezing and shortness of breath due to bronchospasm.

Heimlich Maneuver

Abdominal thrusts used to relieve airway obstruction in a choking victim.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Basic life support involving airway, breathing, circulation to maintain blood flow and oxygenation during cardiac arrest.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

Legal order indicating that a patient should not receive CPR or advanced cardiac life support.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)

Rapid loss of brain function from interrupted blood supply; classified as ischemic (blockage) or hemorrhagic (bleeding).

Epistaxis

Nosebleed; may be anterior (common) or posterior; managed with nasal packing.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Drop in blood pressure upon standing, leading to dizziness or syncope; treated with fluids, sodium, stockings.

Vertigo

Sensation of spinning or motion due to vestibular or central nervous system dysfunction.

Dehiscence

Rupture of a surgical wound with tissue protrusion; cover with sterile dressing, relieve pressure, do not replace tissues.

Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome

Obstruction of the SVC causing facial swelling, dyspnea, venous distention; treated with steroids, diuretics, radiation or chemo.

Spinal Cord Compression

Neoplastic epidural compression causing pain and neurologic loss; managed with steroids, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy.

Severe Tumor Bleed

Rapid hemorrhage from highly vascular tumors, especially near end of life; may cause hypotension and cardiac arrest.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Metabolic disturbances from rapid tumor cell destruction: hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia.