EMT Diseases

Asthma

small airways constrict, wheezing on inspiration and expiration

Treatment: Albuterol by small-volume nebulizer or inhaler, give oxygen

anaphylaxis

allergic reaction where blood vessels dilate (drop in BP & tissues in respiratory system swell): moderate to severe dyspnea, tightness in the chest, wheezing, muffled voice, stridor, generalized hives, pallor or flushed skin, swelling of facial area or injection site, tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea, decreased oxygen saturation, feeling of impending doom

Treatment: high-concentration oxygen, administer epinephrine auto-injectors

bronchitis

inflamation of bronchiole lining due to infection w/excess mucus, chronic/productive cough, wheezing, cyanosis, no fever, fluid in air passages, wheezing, ronchi, tachypnea

Treatment: give oxygen

congestive heart failure

failure of the heart to pump right, excessive blood or fluid in lungs or body

Edema, tachycardia, dyspnea, normal BP, cyanosis, diaphoresis, white or pink sputum, anxiety or confusion b/c hypoxia, jugular vein distention, enlarged liver or spleen

Treatment: CPAP or high-concentration oxygen

croup

Viral illness, inflammation of larynx, trachea, & bronchi

fever, barking cough, mostly seen in pediatric, stridor, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, nasal flaring, retraction of rib muscles, restlessness, paleness with cyanosis

Treatment: position of comfort, high-concentration oxygen (humidified)

emphysema

alveoli break down, reduce surface area for exchange & lose elasticity: barrel chest, pursed lip breathing, dyspnea on exertion, hypoxic drive, low oxygen levels

Treatment: high-concentration oxygen

pneumonia

infection of lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi. coughing, fever, chest pain, severe chills, shortness of breath, chest pain (pleuritic & sharp), confusion

Treatment: oxygen or CPAP, albuterol inhaler if prescribed

spontaneous pneumothorax

lung collapses w/o injury & air leaks into thorax. sudden sharp chest pain, shortness of breathtire easily, tachycardiac, breathe fast, low oxygen sat, cyanosis

Treatment: oxygen, auscultate lungs for diminished sounds

pulmonary embolism

clot, air or fat blocks an artery in the lung.

sharp, pinpoint pain, dyspnea, anxiety, cough, sweaty skin, tachycardiacm tacypnea, dizzy, pain or swelling in legs, wheezing, hypotensive.

Treatment: oxygen

Tuberculosis

Bacterial infection of the lungs;

fever, coughing, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, shortness of breath, productive sputum, bloody sputum, chest pain

Treatment: oxygen & proper BSI with pt & EMT

epiglottitis

inflammation around & above epiglottis causing swelling; sore throat, painful/difficult swallowing, tripod position, sick apperance, muffled voice, stridor, drooling

pulmonary edema

swelling/fluid in the lungs; dyspnea, rapid, shallow respirations, frothy pink sputum at nose and mouth

Treatment: CPAP (oxygen)

COPD

umbrella term for blocking airflow in lungs; chronically produce sputum, chronic cough, difficutly expelling air from lungs, long expiration, symptoms of emphysema and bronchitis, abnormal breath sounds, barrell chest

acute myocardial infarction

Blockage of blood flow to the heart; heart attack; sudden onset of weakness, nausea, sweating, chest pain described as squeezing or crushing that does not change with each breath, pain, discomfort or pressure in lower jaw, arms, back, abdomen, or neck, irregular heartbeat, syncope, dyspnea, pink frothy sputum

Treatment: oxygen, aspirin, 3 nitro

angina pectoris

chest pain similar pain to AMI but goes away after 5 minutes caused by starvation of oxygen;

Treatment: oxygen, aspirin, & nitroglycerin

kidney infection

Infection of the kidney, shown as urinary pain, flank pain, increased temperature and altered mental status

Treatment: Administer oxygen and transport

appendicitis

infection of the appendix, pain in lower right quadrant; nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fever, chills, rebound tenderness

Treatment: oxygen

hyperglycemia

high blood sugar; gradual onset, warm, dry skin, intense thirst, no hunger, vomiting, rapid, deep respirations (Kussmaul respirations), sweet, fruity breath, normal to low BP, rapid, weak, thready pulse, restlessness, coma, slurred speech, unsteady gait, gradual response to treatment

Treatment: oxygen

hypoglycemia

low blood sugar; rapid onset, pale, cool, moist skin, no thirst, intense hunger, no vomiting, normal or rapid breathing, normal breath odor, normal to low BP, rapid, weak pulse, irritablity, confusion, seizure, coma, unsteady gait, immediate response to treatment

Treatment: oxygen & oral glucose

hypoxia

insufficiency of oxygen in the body's tissues, AMS, cyanosis

Treatment: supply oxygen

respiratory failure

reduction of breathing to the point where oxygen intake is not sufficient to support life; abnormal rate & depth of breathing, noises, cyanotic, decreased minute volume, low oxygen sat

Treatment: assisted ventilation w/ a pocket face mask, BVM, or FROPVD

respiratory arrest

breathing completely stops; no chest rise or eviednce of air being moved, no breath sounds, oxygen sats low or not there, unconscious, pale or blue

Treatment: artificial ventilations w/ pocket face, BVM, FROPVD, or ATV masks at 10/12 per min for adult & 20 for child/infant

Altered mental status

level of responsiveness indicated by AVPU; confusion, disoriented to person, place, & time, insufficient oxygen, glucose, & water reaching brain

Treatment: supply fluid, oxygen, and oral glucose as indicated by vitals & assessment

cystic fibrosis

genetic diseases causes thick, sticky mucus to accumulate in lungs & digestive system; coughing w/ mucus, fatigue, pneumonia, fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, abdominal pain & distention, nausea, weight loss

Treatment: administer oxygen & use patient's knowledge

Severe acute respiratory syndrome

Respiratory illness; flulike symptoms

Treatment: Administer oxygen

dehydration

low amount of fluid in the body;decreased urinary output, yellow-tinged sputum, and headache/dizziness

Treatment: Give fluids & oxygen

diaphoresis

Profusely sweating; Cool, pale, and most/sweaty skin; sweating

Treatment: oxygen & fluids

Hypoperfusion (shock)

Inability of the body to adequately circulate blood to the body's cells to supply them with oxygen; cyanotic, cool & clammy skin, pale

Treatment: Administer oxygen and keep the pt warm and comfortable

cyanosis

A blue or gray skin/body color resulting from lack of oxygen in the body

Treatment: Administer oxygen and watch oxygen sats

respiratory distress

difficulty breathing; cyanosis, abnormal lung sounds, AMS, tripod position

Treatment: oxygen

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

blockage of blood flow to heart; shown as chest pain, difficulty breathing, abnormal pulse/blood pressure

Treatment: oxygen, nitroglycerin, aspirin if appropriate

thrombus

A clot formed of blood and plaque, that clogs a blood vessel; pain and swelling of the skin around the affected area

Treatment: Administer oxygen and aspirin

occlusion

Blockage of blood vessel or organ, by fatty deposits; numbness or cyanosis of an extremity

Treatment: oxygen

embolism

Blockage of a vessel; shown as dysfunction of the affected organ/area, and swelling and pain

Treatment: oxygen

aneurysm

dilation, ballooning and subsequent bursting of the weakened section of an artery; swelling and pain, altered mental status, and dysfunction of the affected organ/area

Treatment: oxygen

diabetes mellitus

The condition brought about by decreased insulin production or the inability of the body to properly use insulin, shown as altered mental status and headache/dizziness

Treatment: oral glucose and oxygen

diabetic ketoacidosis

A condition that occurs as the result of high blood sugar; dehydration, altered mental status, and shock

Treatment: oxygen

Seizure

A sudden change in sensation, behavior, or movement, shown as severely altered mental status, and in the worst cases, muscle convulsions, drooling

Treatment: move objects from patient, wait, oxygen, suction

Sepsis

severe infection systemwide response; fever, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, fast heart rate, and altered mental status

Treatment: Administer oxygen

stroke

Caused when an artery in the brain is blocked or ruptured, shown as trouble speaking (slurring), paralysis and drooping of one side of the body, & AMS

Treatment: oxygen & aspirin, Cincinnati scale

Hives

Red, itchy, possibly raised blotches on the skin

Treatment: oxygen and epinephrine

sickle cell anemia

Disease in which patients have a genetic defect in their hemoglobin that results in an abnormal structure of the red blood cells; infection, pain, fatigue, and hypoxia

Treatment: oxygen

urinary tract infection

An infection that begins in the urinary tract and ascends up the ureter into the kidney; lower back/flank pain, pain/discomfort/burning when urinating, altered mental status, high temperature

Treatment: oxygen