Comprehensive EMT: Respiratory, Cardiac, Trauma & Medical Conditions

Asthma

Cause: Bronchospasm & airway inflammation.

Looks like: Wheezing, SOB, accessory muscle use, anxiety.

Treatment: O₂, assist with prescribed inhaler, transport.

Emphysema (COPD)

Cause: Alveolar wall destruction → poor gas exchange.

Looks like: Barrel chest, pursed-lip breathing, dyspnea.

Treatment: O₂, CPAP, transport.

Chronic Bronchitis (COPD)

Cause: Excess mucus & inflamed bronchi.

Looks like: Chronic cough, sputum, cyanosis.

Treatment: O₂, assist inhaler, transport.

Pulmonary Edema (CHF)

Cause: Fluid in alveoli from left heart failure.

Looks like: Pink frothy sputum, crackles, severe SOB.

Treatment: O₂, upright position, CPAP if allowed, transport.

Pulmonary Embolism

Cause: Blood clot lodges in pulmonary arteries.

Looks like: Sudden SOB, chest pain, tachycardia, hypoxia.

Treatment: O₂, rapid transport.

Pneumonia

Cause: Infection of lung tissue.

Looks like: Fever, productive cough, crackles, pleuritic chest pain.

Treatment: O₂, transport.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Cause: Rupture of lung tissue → air in pleural space.

Looks like: Sudden sharp chest pain, absent breath sounds one side.

Treatment: O₂, monitor for tension pneumo, transport.

Epiglottitis

Cause: Infection → swollen epiglottis.

Looks like: Drooling, tripod position, stridor, muffled voice.

Treatment: O₂, keep calm, do not inspect throat, transport.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cause: Genetic disorder → thick mucus in lungs/pancreas.

Looks like: Chronic cough, frequent infections, clubbing of fingers.

Treatment: O₂, suction, transport.

Angina Pectoris

Cause: Temporary ischemia to heart muscle.

Looks like: Chest pain with exertion, resolves with rest.

Treatment: O₂, transport.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

Cause: Coronary artery blockage → heart muscle death.

Looks like: Chest pressure, radiating pain, diaphoresis, nausea.

Treatment: O₂, assist aspirin & nitro, transport.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Cause: Pump failure → fluid backup in lungs/body.

Looks like: Pulmonary edema, JVD, pedal edema.

Treatment: O₂, upright position, CPAP if available, transport.

Cardiac Arrest

Cause: Heart stops effective pumping (VF/VT/asystole).

Looks like: Pulseless, apneic, unresponsive.

Treatment: CPR, AED, O₂, transport.

Stroke (CVA)

Cause: Clot or bleed in brain.

Looks like: Facial droop, arm weakness, slurred speech (FAST).

Treatment: O₂, stroke alert, rapid transport.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Cause: Temporary clot, no permanent damage.

Looks like: Stroke-like symptoms that resolve quickly.

Treatment: Same as stroke.

Seizures

Cause: Electrical brain activity disturbance.

Looks like: Convulsions, AMS, postictal state. Treatment:

Protect airway, O₂, recovery position, transport.

Syncope

Cause: Temporary cerebral hypoperfusion.

Looks like: Sudden collapse, quick recovery.

Treatment: O₂, evaluate, transport.

Hypoglycemia

Cause: Low blood sugar.

Looks like: AMS, diaphoresis, tremors, seizures.

Treatment: Oral glucose if conscious, O₂, transport.

Hyperglycemia

Cause: High blood sugar.

Looks like: Thirst, urination, AMS, fruity breath (DKA).

Treatment: O₂, fluids at hospital, transport.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Cause: Severe insulin lack → fat breakdown → ketones.

Looks like: Kussmaul respirations, fruity breath, AMS, dehydration.

Treatment: O₂, transport.

Anaphylaxis

Cause: Severe allergic reaction.

Looks like: Hives, airway swelling, wheezing,

hypotension.

Treatment: Assist with EpiPen, O₂, transport.

Opioid Overdose

Cause: Narcotics (heroin, fentanyl, morphine, etc.).

Looks like: Pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, AMS.

Treatment: O₂, Narcan, transport.

Alcohol Intoxication

Cause: Excessive ethanol intake.

Looks like: AMS, vomiting, odor, poor coordination.

Treatment: Airway protection, O₂, transport.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Cause: Inhalation of CO gas.

Looks like: Headache, confusion, cherry-red skin (rare), multiple patients in same location.

Treatment: High-flow O₂ (NRB), transport.

Hypothermia

Cause: Prolonged cold exposure.

Looks like: Shivering (early), AMS, cold skin, bradycardia (late).

Treatment: Remove from cold, passive/active rewarming, O₂.

Frostbite

Cause: Localized tissue freezing.

Looks like: White, waxy, hard tissue.

Treatment: Protect from refreezing, cover loosely, transport.

Heat Exhaustion

Cause: Fluid/salt loss.

Looks like: Cool, pale, sweaty skin, weakness.

Treatment: Cool environment, fluids if alert, O₂.

Heat Stroke

Cause: Thermoregulation failure.

Looks like: Hot, dry skin, AMS, seizures.

Treatment: Rapid cooling, O₂, transport.

Near Drowning

Cause: Submersion injury.

Looks like: Coughing, frothy sputum, hypoxia, AMS.

Treatment: O₂, suction, possible CPR, transport.

Normal Delivery

Cause: Term pregnancy.

Looks like: Contractions

Breech Presentation

Cause: Baby feet/butt first.

Looks like: Feet or buttock presenting first.

Treatment: Transport, O₂, allow delivery to progress, support body.

Eclampsia

Cause: Severe hypertension in pregnancy → seizures.

Looks like: Seizures, high BP, edema, headache.

Treatment: O₂, protect airway, rapid transport.

Miscarriage

Cause: Spontaneous abortion.

Looks like: Vaginal bleeding, cramping, tissue passage.

Treatment: O₂, emotional support, transport.

External Bleeding

Cause: Artery/vein injury.

Looks like: Bright red spurting (arterial), steady dark (venous).

Treatment: Direct pressure, tourniquet if uncontrolled.

Internal Bleeding

Cause: Trauma, rupture of vessel/organ.

Looks like: Bruising, distension, signs of shock.

Treatment: O₂, rapid transport

Fractures/Dislocations

Cause: Direct or indirect trauma.

Looks like: Pain, swelling, deformity.

Treatment: Splint, O₂, transport.

Burns

Cause: Heat, chemicals, electricity.

Looks like: Redness, blisters, charred skin.

Treatment: Stop burning, dry sterile dressings, O₂, transport.

Chest Trauma (Flail Chest, Sucking Chest Wound)

Cause: Blunt/penetrating trauma.

Looks like: Paradoxical motion, open wound with bubbling air.

Treatment: O₂, occlusive dressing, stabilize flail segment, transport.

Abdominal Trauma (Evisceration)

Cause: Penetrating injury.

Looks like: Organs protruding from wound.

Treatment: Cover with moist sterile dressing, occlusive cover, transport.;

Head/Spinal Injury

Cause: Trauma.

Looks like: AMS, CSF leakage, paralysis.

Treatment: Airway, spinal precautions, O₂, transport.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Cause: narrowing / blocking of the coronary arterys

Looks like: Chest pain with exertion, Reduced perfusion (Pale, cool , diaphoretic)

Treatment :02, asprin, nitro(if they are perscribed), transport

Electrical malfuntion of the heart

Cause: Dysrhythmias (abnormal rythm)

Looks like: Bradycardia(slow heart rate

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Cause: Reduced blood supply to the myocardium ( often From plaque rupture -> thrombus/embolus

Looks like: Chest pain, May radiate, Diaphoresis, anxity

Treatment: O2, asprin, nitro (if prescribed and BP>90-100), transport

Aneurysm

Cause: weakend arterial wall Dialates and can rupture

Looks like : Sudden severe pain, possible shock if ruptured( Low BP, Tacycardia, pale/clammy)

Treatment: O2, rapid transport, treat for shock