emt final take 2

Acute pulmonary embolism

define- a blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow; signs & symptoms- dyspnea, sharp chest pain, sudden onset, tachycardia, clear breath sounds, hemoptysis, cyanosis, hypoxia, tachypnea.

Aspiration Pneumonia

define- when food or liquid is breathed into the airways of lungs, instead of being swallowed; signs & symptoms- chest pain, coughing, fatigue, fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, breath odor.

Cerebral artery

Ruptured ________ (aneurysm):: define- a swelling or enlargement of the wall of the blood vessel that results from weakening of the vessel wall.

Uterus

________:: Definition- the muscular organ where the fetus grows; also called the womb; responsible for contractions during labor.

Compartment Syndrome

________:: Swelling in a confined space that produces dangerous pressure; may cut off blood flow or damage sensitive tissue; Pain in injury worsens; Signs of impaired circulation may be present.

Drowsiness

Herniation of the brain stem:: Protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening in the brain; Signs and symptoms- Dilated pupils, Headache, ________, Difficulty concentrating, Hypertension, Seizure, Shortness of breath or rapid breaths, loss of consciousness, Coma, Cardiac arrest, Abnormal posturing, Altered reflexes.

Parasympathetic

________ nervous system:: Part of autonomic nervous system that controls vegetative functions such as digestion of food and relaxation.

heat exhaustion

How to treat ________:: remove the patient from the hot environment and excess layers of clothing (esp around head and neck); administer high flow oxygen if indicated; if patient has altered mental status, check blood glucose level; cool the patient with misting and ice packs to the trunk of the body- ice bath the patient if 104 degrees or altered mental status; encourage patient to lie down; if fully alert, encourage them to sit up and slowly drink up to a liter of water; transport patient on his or her left side if you think the patient may be nauseated but make certain that the patient is secured.

Stridor

________:: Harsh, high- pitched respiratory sound, generally heard during inspiration; caused by partial blockage or narrowing of upper airway; may be audible without stethoscope.

Meconium

________:: Definition- fetal stool; Signs and symptoms- When appearing as a dark green material in amniotic fluid, it can indicate distress or disease in newborn; This can be aspirated into the fetus lungs during delivery.

PAT

________ (Pediatric Assessment Triangle):: Structured assessment tool used to rapidly form a general impression of infant or child without touching him or her; Consists of assessing appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to skin.

Hypoxic

________ drive:: a condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases.

Pericardial tamponade

________:: define- compression of heart as a result of buildup of blood or other fluid in the pericadial sac, leading to decreased cardiac output; signs & symptoms- Becks triad- Jugular vein distension, Muffled heart sounds, Narrowing pulse pressure.

Spontaneous pneumothorax

________:: define- occurs when weak area on lung ruptures in the absence of major injury, allowing air to leak into the pleural space; signs & symptoms- pleuritic chest pain, sharp, stabbing pain on one side that is worse during inspiration and expiration or with certain movement of the chest wall, absent or decreased breath sounds on affected side.

Cataracts

________:: Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes; Makes it difficult to distinguish between colors and see clearly.

Braxton Hicks

________ contractions:: Definition- false labor; Signs and Symptoms- Not regular contractions and dont increase in intensity or frequency; come and go; Pain and contractions start and stay in lower abdomen; Physical activity or change in position may alleviate pain and contractions; Bloody show if present is brown- ish; If fluid leakage occurs, its usually urine, It will be small and smell of ammonia.

Cerebral palsy

________:: Group of disorders characterized by poorly controlled body movement; Difficult muscle coordination; Development delays; Speech disorders.

Disinfection

________:: Killing of pathogenic agents by direct application of chemicals.

Rhonchi

________:: Coarse, low pitched breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucous in upper airways.

heat cramps

How to treat ________:: remove the patient from the hot environment, including direct sunlight and loosen any tight clothing; administer high flow oxygen if shows signs of hypoxia; rest the cramping muscles (have the patient lie down); replace fluids by mouth.

Safety officer

________:: the person who monitors the scene for conditions or operations that may present a hazard to responders and patients; may stop an operation when responder safety is an issue.

Involuntary consent

________:: Type of consent that is given through legal obligations; E.g.

Acute coronary syndrome

________:: define- a group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; signs & symptoms- acute chest pain.

High pitched

Wheezing:: ________ whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration; suggests obstruction or narrowing of lower airways.

artificial heat

Heat Stroke:: define- life threatening condition of severe hyperthermia caused by exposure to excessive natural or ________.

Snake bite

How to treat ________:: Rapid transport and call hospital to ensure resources are readily available at hospital; If bit by a pit viper or coral snake, let hospital know to provide antivenom.

positive pressure ventilation

When ________ is initiated, more air is needed to achieve the same oxygenation and ventilatory effects of normal breathing.

Expressed Consent (or actual consent)

Type of consent which patient specifically acknowledges that he or she wants you to provide care or transport (this can be verbal or nonverbal)

Implied Consent

Type of consent in which a patient who is unable to give consent is given treatment under legal assumption that he or she would want treatment (e.g if patient is unconscious)

Involuntary consent

Type of consent that is given through legal obligations; E.g

Types/stages of dehydration

Mild dehydration; moderate dehydration; severe dehydration

Stridor

Harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound, generally heard during inspiration; caused by partial blockage or narrowing of upper airway; may be audible without stethoscope

Rhonchi

Coarse, low pitched breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucous in upper airways

Wheezing

High-pitched whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration; suggests obstruction or narrowing of lower airways

PAT (Pediatric Assessment Triangle)

Structured assessment tool used to rapidly form a general impression of infant or child without touching him or her; Consists of assessing appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to skin

Retracting (during breathing)

Physical act of chest wall expanding and retracting during breathing helps circularory system return blood to heart; Drawing in of the muscle between ribs or sternum during inspiration

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes; Makes it difficult to distinguish between colors and see clearly

Glaucoma

Condition of increased pressure within the eye; Contraindications for a lot of drugs (like epinephrine! )

Emergency Medical Treatment and active labor act

All hospital emergency departments MUST provide a medical assessment and required treatment, regardless of the patients ability to pay

Cerebral palsy

Group of disorders characterized by poorly controlled body movement; Difficult muscle coordination; Development delays; Speech disorders

How to set up a LZ (Landing Zone)

Ensure area is 100ft x 100 ft (30m x 30m) and no less than 60ft x 60ft (18m x 18m); Make sure land is hard or grassy; Notify flight of steepness and slope direction (should not exceed 5 to 7 degrees); Clear loose debris; Examine immediate area for overhead or tall hazards, such as power lines, telephone cables or tall or leaning trees; Use weighted cones or position vehicles at corners of landing zone, headlights facing inwards to form an ‘X; Move nonessential people and vehicles to a safe distance outside of the landing zone; Communicate strong winds and wind direction to flight team

Disinfection

Killing of pathogenic agents by direct application of chemicals

Compartment Syndrome

Swelling in a confined space that produces dangerous pressure; may cut off blood flow or damage sensitive tissue; Pain in injury worsens; Signs of impaired circulation may be present

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that controls active functions such as responding to feat (fight or flight system)

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of autonomic nervous system that controls vegetative functions such as digestion of food and relaxation

Hypoxic drive

a condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases

How to treat prolapsed cord

 DO NOT PUSH CORD INTO THE VAGINA (OR ELSE); place woman supine with foot end of the stretcher raised 6-12 inches higher than the head; elevate hips; insert sterile gloved hand into vagina and gently push fetuss head away from the umbilical cord; maintain the position throughout transport to the hospital; wrap a sterile towel moistened with saline around exposed cord, administer high flow oxygen and rapid transport

How to treat Breech presentation

 call for ALS; if no delivery within 10 minutes of buttocks presentation, provide prompt transport; position pregnant woman, prepare OB kit, and prepare like normal delivery; allow buttocks and legs to deliver spontaneously + support them with hand to prevent rapid expulsion- allow legs to dangle off arm in order to support infants trunk; allow head to deliver + make a V with gloved fingers, positioning them in the vagina to keep the walls from compressing the airway

How to treat Neck pain in a vehicle

manage airway; apply cervical collar if indicated; call als

How to treat Snake bite

 Rapid transport and call hospital to ensure resources are readily available at hospital; If bit by a pit viper or coral snake, let hospital know to provide antivenom

How to treat heat cramps

remove the patient from the hot environment, including direct sunlight and loosen any tight clothing; administer high flow oxygen if shows signs of hypoxia; rest the cramping muscles (have the patient lie down); replace fluids by mouth

How to treat Anaphylactic reaction

 apply high flow oxygen, treat for shock after administration of epinephrine

How to treat Hypoxemic patient with chronic lung disease

apply high flow oxygen to the patient and rapid transport; don't deny it when in need but be cautious

How to treat Scorpion bite

notify receiving hospital of suspected C sculpturatus for antivenin (can only be administered by physicians); Administer bls care (treat other symptoms); Rapid transport to ed

Staging

 area to keep EMS providers safe until police secure a violent or potentially violent scene

Incident commander

 individual who has overall command of the incident in the field

Safety officer

the person who monitors the scene for conditions or operations that may present a hazard to responders and patients; may stop an operation when responder safety is an issue

What type of injuries occur from primary blast injuries

disruption of major blood vessels and rupture of eardrums and major organs; hollow organs are most susceptible to the pressure wave; can amputate limbs as well

What type of injuries occur from secondary blast injuries

penetrating/blunt trauma from debris

What type of injuries occur from tertiary blast injuries

body is hurled or thrown = blunt trauma

What type of injuries occur from quaternary blast injuries

 burns, suffocation, poisoning, respiratory injury, crush injuries, contamination of wounds

What type of injuries occur from MVA rollovers

spinal injury; otherwise unpredictable based on whether the patient was restrained or not

What kind of injuries occur from Blunt trauma injuries in a MVA

  significant internal bleeding and bruising to the brain/bleeding in and around the brain tissue; causes for an increase in pressure in the skull around the brain

What kind of injuries occur from Electrical injuries

electrical burns; severe burns and cardiac dysrhythmias; burn injury has entrance and exit wound