MEDICAL - SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Appendicitis Explanation

an inflamed appendix; this is due to blockage and/or infection of the appendix

Appendicitis Risk Factors

Family history, teenage to 20’s age group

Appendicitis Signs & Symptoms

Pain starts in the mid abdomen then can radiate to the right lower quadrant. Fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.

Appendicitis Treatment

Treat symptoms such as pain and nausea with medications such as Zofran (nausea) and morphine or fentanyl (pain)

Benzodiazepine Overdose Explanation

Benzos are used as sedatives, treat seizure activity, and used for anti-anxiety. If one takes too much of these drugs, respiratory depression can occur

Benzodiazepine Overdose Risk Factors

Ativan, Versed, Valium, and Xanax.

Benzodiazepine Overdose Signs & Symptoms

Slow respirations, bradycardia, hypotension, impaired balance, slurred speech, altered level of consciousness, apnea.

Benzodiazepine Overdose Treatment

Maintain the patient’s airway, ventilate, and give oxygen as needed. Cardiac monitoring, ETCO2 monitoring, blood glucose level recorded.

Excited Delirium Explanation

a condition that can be caused by synthetic drugs causing extreme agitation, hyperthermia, delirium, and increased aggressiveness

Excited Delirium Risk Factors

Cocaine, schizophrenia, methamphetamine, PCP, LSD

Excited Delirium Signs & Symptoms

Agitation, hyperthermia, aggressiveness, confusion, hot skin, diaphoretic, incoherent speech, tachycardia.

Excited Delirium Treatment

Intramuscular benzodiazepines OR intramuscular Ketamine for sedation if needed for safety of the patient and crew.

Hepatitis Explanation

s an inflammation of the liver. Heavy alcohol use and or direct infection to the liver causes hepatitis.

Hepatitis Risk Factors

Alcoholism, IV drug use, unprotected sex, poor sanitation, lack of safe drinking water. Note: Remember Hepatitis A & Hepatitis E are caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C, D are all via the bodily fluid/blood route

Hepatitis Signs & Symptoms

Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice skin or eyes, nausea and vomiting, dark urine and joint pain.

Hepatitis Treatment

Place the patient in a position of comfort, gather vital signs, check blood glucose level.
ALS: Treat the symptoms (supportive care) such as using Zofran (nausea) and pain medications such as morphine or fentanyl for severe abdominal pain. IV access should be started and include IV fluids when dehydration is present.

Hyperglycemia (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) Explanation

The body can’t produce enough insulin, so the blood glucose level becomes hyperglycemic. In DKA, excess ketones are produced because your body doesn’t have enough insulin to get the glucose out of the blood stream into the cell.

Hyperglycemia (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) Risk Factors

Type 1 diabetes more commonly but also can occur in type 2. Missing a dose of prescribed insulin

Hyperglycemia (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) Signs & Symptoms

Abdominal pain, excessive thirst, ketone “fruity” breath odor, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth and skin, excessive urination.

Hyperglycemia (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) Treatment

BLS: Supportive care, place in position of comfort and transport with vital signs. ALS: Start cardiac monitoring, start IV access, and begin IV fluids per protocol.

Hypoglycemia Explanation

The patient’s blood glucose is too low, any blood glucose below 70 is hypoglycemia. every diabetic is different, and some may be unresponsive at blood glucose levels where other patients are still awake but altered.

Hypoglycemia Risk Factors

Diabetics, heavy exercise and/or skipping meals, insulin administration overdose.

Hypoglycemia Signs & Symptoms

Tachycardia, diaphoretic, dizziness, lightheadedness, irritable, shaky hands, pale skin, clammy skin

Hypoglycemia Treatment

Oral glucose would be administered, check blood glucose before and after administration.

Opiate Overdose Explanation

When a patient overdoses on opiates, they are at risk of severe respiratory depression which can lead to respiratory arrest.

Opiate Overdose Risk Factors

Examples of opiates: Vicodin, oxycodone, oxycontin, morphine, fentanyl, heroin.

Opiate Overdose Signs & Symptoms

Respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia, slurred speech, impaired balance, pinpoint pupils, unresponsiveness, apnea.

Opiate Overdose Treatment

Narcan administration (IN, IV, IM) and maintaining the patient’s airway via ventilations and oxygenation.

Schizophrenia Explanation

A mental illness that causes delusions, false beliefs, withdrawn from reality and lack of clear thought and emotion. The patient’s speech may be disorganized or inhibit bizarre physical behavior

Schizophrenia Risk Factors

Family history, psychoactive drug use during teens, pregnancy malnutrition.

Schizophrenia Signs & Symptoms

Aggression, agitation, hallucinations, paranoia, rapid speech, false beliefs, self-harm.

Schizophrenia Treatment

EMS treatment includes transport to the emergency department to be seen by mental health specialists. Unfortunately, at times patients who are harming themselves or others may require restraints per protocol. Physical restraints.

Seizures Explanation

sudden, uncontrolled disruption of electrical activity in the brain that causes temporary changes in behavior, movement, or consciousness. Activity can occur for a variety of reasons: Recent illness or infection, trauma, diabetes related emergencies, and seizure disorders such as epilepsy

Seizures Risk Factors

Drug use, recent illness, cessation of anti-seizure medications or changes in medication dosing

Seizures Signs & Symptoms

Loss of consciousness, staring, stiffening of the body, with rapid jerking movements of the arms and legs. Some patients describe an “aura” or feeling before the event.

Seizures Treatment

Give oxygen as needed once the seizure has stopped and access the blood glucose level

Shock (Distributive) Explanation

The hallmark of distributive shocks is the immediate loss of sympathetic response causing widespread vasodilation and loss of adequate blood pressure. (Includes Neurogenic, Anaphylactic, and Septic Shock)

Shock (Distributive) Risk Factors

Allergies, recent illness/infection, spinal cord injury

Shock (Distributive) Signs & Symptoms

Hypotension, tachycardia, increased respirations, fever, chills, dizziness, altered level of consciousness, altered mental status

Shock (Distributive) Treatment

Oxygen to maintain SPO2 levels adequately plus keep the patient comfortable and warm.

Shock (Obstructive) Explanation

a type of shock where the normal pattern of blood flow is obstructed. Cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, and pulmonary embolism each can cause obstructive shock if not corrected.

Shock (Obstructive) Risk Factors

Recent surgeries, tall thin men are at higher risk for spontaneous pneumothorax

Shock (Obstructive) Signs & Symptoms

Hypotension, tachycardia, increased respiratory rate, cool, clammy skin.

Shock (Obstructive) Treatment

Keep the patient warm and give oxygen to maintain adequate SPO2 levels