ER Med - Pa

Resuscitation

The process of reviving a person who is in cardiac arrest or near death.

Shockable rhythms

Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, which require defibrillation.

Non-shockable rhythms

Pulseless electrical activity and asystole, which do not respond to defibrillation.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation involves chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation.

Pulseless VT

Ventricular tachycardia without a pulse, treated with synchronized cardioversion.

Supraventricular tachycardia

A rapid heart rhythm originating above the ventricles, managed with Valsalva maneuver or adenosine.

Airway obstruction

Can be partial or severe, requiring different maneuvers like back blows, abdominal thrusts, or intubation.

Pulse checks

Central pulses like femoral or carotid are used to assess circulation during resuscitation.

Hypothermia management

Rewarming techniques and protocols for different levels of hypothermia, including ECMO as a gold standard.

Burns treatment

Immediate intubation, fluid resuscitation, and monitoring for complications like infection.

Trauma assessment

ABCDE approach for evaluating and managing traumatic injuries, including airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure/environment.

Roll-over

A technique involving three or more people where one person is designated for head control and commands, while the other two individuals roll the patient by placing hands on specific areas like the shoulder, pelvic ring, and extremities.

Signs of head trauma

Indicators such as otorrhagia, retroorbital bruising, and Battle’s sign (ecchymosis over the mastoid) that suggest potential head injuries.

Mobilizing

The process of moving a patient using tools like a scoop stretcher, which involves separating the stretcher into two pieces and rolling it under the patient's back.

Vacuum splints

Devices used for fractures that work by removing air to conform the splint to the limb.

Closed fracture

A type of fracture that needs reduction before splinting, involving pulling on the proximal and distal joints, administering pain medication, and monitoring for signs like changes in color, pulse, paleness, cyanosis, or numbness below the splint.

4Hs 4Ts

Acronyms representing potential causes of cardiac arrest, including Hypoxemia, Hypovolemia, Hyper/hypokalemia, Hypothermia, Tamponade, Tension pneumothorax, Thrombosis, and Toxins.