Patient Care: Medical Emergancies

In working with a patient, which of the following would be the first priority for attention?

A. Providing an open airway

B. Splinting a fractured extremity

C. Controlling bleeding

D. Treating shock

A. Providing an open Airway!

Which of the following signs or symptoms is typically associated with a deteriorating head injury?

A. increasing pulse rate

B. increasing respiratory rate

C. Lethargy

D. Thirst

C. Lethargy

Which of the following actions would help prevent a patient from going into shock?

A. minimizing pain

B. providing emotional support

C. Maintaining a normal body temperature

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

A patient suffering from hyperglycemia needs which of the following?

A. Rest

B. insulin

C. Carbohydrates

D. A and C

Rest and Carbohydrates

Where should the heel of the hand be placed when performing chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation on an adult?

A. near the sternal angle

B. at the xiphoid process

C. two fingers above the xiphoid process

D. anywhere along the length of the sternum

Any where along the length of the sternum

Syncope is a medical term for which of the following?

A. dizziness

B. fainting

C. hemorrhage

D. nosebleed

Fainting

Which of the following is typically associated with shock?

A. decreasing pulse rate

B. decreasing blood pressure

C. fever

D. flushed face

Decreasing blood pressure

The Heimlich maneuver is used in response to which of the following situations?

A. Asthmatic crisis

B. cardiac arrest

C. choking

D. wound dehiscence

Choking

How long can the brain be deprived of oxygen before cerebral function impairment is likely?

A. 30 sec

B. 60 sec

C. 2 min

D. 4 to 6 minutes

4 to 6 minutes

Which of the following actions is the most appropriate in handling the patient who begins a violent seizure?

A. restrain the patient in any way possible

B. ensure an open airway, putting your hands in victims mouth if necessary.

C. Attempt to prevent the patient form injuring themselves.

D. all of the above.

Attempt to prevent the patient from injuring themselves.

Aura

Subjective sensation or motor phenomenon that precedes and marks the onset of a paroxysmal attack, such as an epileptic attack.

Automatic External Defibrillators

A portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Application of pressure (pumping) to the thorax over the inferior part of sternal body. Such pressure ejects blood from heart and when pressure is removed, the heart fills with blood. The sternal body is capable of movement and can be compressed 4-5 cm posteriorly.

Cerebrovascular Accident

damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted; also known as a stroke

Emergency

A serious situation requiring immediate action

Epitaxis

nosebleed; hemorrhage from the nose.

Hemorrhage

(n) an escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel; (v) suffer a major loss of blood

Hyperglycemica

Abnormally increased concentration of glucose in the blood.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally diminished concentration of glucose in the blood.

Lethargy

Abnormal drowsiness or stupor; a condition of indifference

Nausea

An unpleasant sensation often leading to the urge to vomit. Common causes include intense pain, gallbladder disease, infl. of the stomach, paralytic ileus, and food poisoning.

Pallor

paleness; absence of skin coloration

Shock

condition of profound hemodynamic and metabolic disturbance characterized by failure of the circulatory system to maintain adequate perfusion of vital organs.

Syncope

Temporary suspension of consciousness as a result of generalized cerebral ischemia; faint or swoon

Urticaria

Also called Hives; a skin eruption of pale reddish wheals with severe itching. Usually associated with food allergy, stress, or drug reactions

Ventricular Fibrillation

disorganized cardiac rhythm

Vertigo

illusion of movement; sensation as if the external world were revolving around the patient or as if the patient were revolving in space.

Vomiting

Forcible expulsion of the contents of the stomach through the mouth

wounds

bodily injuries caused by physical means with disruption of the normal continuity of structures.

Wound Dihiscence

premature bursting open or rupture of wound along surgical suture

Emergency actions on the part of the radiologic technologist generally have the objectives of .....

preserving life, avoiding further harm to the patient, and obtaining appropriate medical assistance as quickly as possible.

In emergency situations a radiologic technologist should keep in mind the following....

Ensure an open airway

Control Bleeding

Take measures to prevent or treat shock

attend to wounds or fractures

provide emotional support

continually reevaluate and follow up appropriately

An RT should know where this is in the case of any emergency.... Each department should have one.

Crash Cart- contains drugs and equipment needed to handle life threatening emergencies.

AED

Automated External Defibrillation

Fully automatic defibrillators

1. Analyzes patient's cardiac rhythm 2. Determines whether defibrillation is necessary 3. If necessary, delivers a shock

Semiautomatic Defibrillator

1. Analyzes patient's cardiac rhythm 2. Determines whether defibrillation is necessary 3. If necessary, advises the operator to deliver a shock by pushing a button.

head injury

Any trauma to scalp, skull, or brain: scalp lacerations, skull fractures, head trauma

Levels of Consciousness

That consciousness consists of different layers is well established. The most frequently mentioned levels: conscious level, nonconscious level, preconscious level, subconscious level and unconscious level.

1. Patient with least severe level of consciousness

is classified as alert and conscious

2. A more seriously injured patient

is drowsy but can be roused to response with loud speaking or gentle physical contact.

3. An even more serious injury produces a patient

who is unconscious and reacts only to painful stimuli. these patients typically do not respond to verbal stimuli but react to stimuli such as pinches and pinpricks.

4. The most serious condition is that of a patient

who is comatose and unresponsive to virtually all stimuli.

Findings in an Alert or Drowsy patient that can signify a deteriorating head injury may include

irritability, lethargy, slowing pulse rate, and slowing respiratory rate

hypovolemic shock

Condition in which there is a loss of blood, plasma, or water from the body that results in an inadequate volume of fluid in the circ. system to maintain adequate perfusion.

Cardiogenic Shock

Caused by any kind of heart failure. The heart could not pump enough blood effectively throughout the body to the tissues. Some examples that cause cardiogenic shock is myocardial infarction, heart infections, etc.

Neurogenic Shock

Injury or trauma to the nervous system (spinal cord, brain). Nerve impulse to blood vessels impaired, blood vessels remain dilated and blood pressure decreases.

Vasogenic Shock

Related to allergens, spinal cord injury, or peripheral neuropathies, all resulting in venous pooling and decreased blood return to the heart, which decreases cardiac output over time.

anaphylaxis