PTA 110 Emergency Situations

What are the 4 Heat-Related Illness?

Heatstroke, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Cramps, and Heat Syncope

What is the most serious form of heat-related illness?

HeatStroke

When does heatstroke occur?

When the body is unable to regulate its core temperature

What is the key sign of heatstroke?

Red, Hot, or Dry Skin

What should you do if someone is having a heatstroke?

• Call 911

• Place victim in cool shady area

• Loosen clothing

• Cool the victim with water or a fan

• Provide fluids

• Monitor their body temperature.

What is a more milder form of heat-related illness?

Heat Exhaustion

What is Heat Exhaustion?

Body’s response to loss of water and salt due to heavy perspiration.

When does heat exhaustion occur?

It can occur after several days of exposure to high temperatures and unbalanced replacement of fluids.

What is the key sign of heat exhaustion?

Thirst

What should you do when someone is having heat exhaustion?

Have victim sit or lie in a cool shady area, provide fluid, cool victim, call 911 if symptoms does not improve within 60 minutes.

What causes heat cramps?

loss of body salts and fluid during sweating

What does heat cramp affect?

Muscle groups that are involved in work performance.

What are heat cramps warning signs?

muscle spasm and pain.

What should you do when someone is having heat cramps?

• Have victim rest in cool shady area

• Provide fluids

• Apply gentle stretch to cramp muscle.

What is Heat Syncope?

Fainting episodes that an individual can experience in high environmental temperatures.

What cause Heat Syncope?

• Lack of blood supply to the brain

• Dehydration

• Standing for long w/o movement

• Sudden changes in position (sitting to standing)

What is the key sign of Heat Syncope?

Weak Pulse

What should you do when someone is having heat syncope?

• Have the victim sit or lie down as soon as the onset of symptoms present

• Rest in a cool shady area

• Elevate feet to promote blood returning to the heart

• Provide cool fluids.

Who are at great risk for heat-related illness?

Infants and children up to 4 years of age, Adults older that 65, overweight people, people who works outside often, and people with chronic medical condition such as cardiovascular problems.

What medication influences heat-related illness?

• Psychotropics

• Parkinson’s disease

• Diuretics

• Tranquilizers

Why might someone with Parkinson’s disease influences heat-related illness?

Their medication may inhibit perspiration.

Why might Tranquilizers influences heat-related illness?

Tranquilizer inhibit sweating and the patient may not know because Tranquilizers are sedatives.

What are insulin-related illnesses?

Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia

What is Hypoglycemia?

low blood glucose (<70 mg/dl)

What is Hyperglycemia?

high blood glucose (180-200 mg/dl)

What is the key sign of Hypoglycemia?

Hunger

What is the key sign of Hyperglycemia?

Thirst, Frequent Urination and Fruity Breath

What is Autonomic Hyperreflexia (Dysreflexia)

Reaction of the ANS when an irritating stimulus or too much stimulus is introduced to the body below the level of the spinal cord injury such as an overfull bladder.

Most common site of Autonomic Hyperreflexia?

Above T6 (T1-T5)

Signs and Symptoms of Autonomic Hyperreflexia?

• Pounding Headache

• Goose Bumps

• Hypertension

• Cold clammy skin below level of spinal injury

• Sweating above the level of spinal injury and

• Nausea

How to prevent Autonomic Hyperreflexia?

• Maintain a regular bowel/bladder program

• Medication

• Provide frequent pressure relief in bed and chair

• perform routine skin assessments

What to do with someone who has Autonomic Hyperrflexia?

• Sit victim up or raise head to 90 degrees

• Loosen or remove anything tight

• Check BP every 5 minutes

• Identify the stimulus (i.e. Full bladder, skin issues, tight clothing)

• Seek for medical assistance

Define Seizures

physical finding or changes behavior that occur after an episodes of abnormal activity in the brain

Common Symptoms of Seizures

• Brief blackout followed by period of confusion

• Drooling or frothing at the mouth

• Teeth clenching

• Convulsions

Warning Signs of Seizures

• Fear or Anxiety

• Nausea

• Vertigo

• Visual Symptoms (flashing bright lights or spots)

What are common causes of Seizures?

• High fever

• Head injury

• Abnormal level of sodium or glucose in the blood

• Drug abuse

• Epilepsy

• Stroke

What to do during Seizure

• Provide safe and private location

• Monitor vitals

• Do no place any objects in the patient’s mouth

• When seizure symptoms subside position patient’s head to the side in case of vomiting.

Define Shock

Life threatening condition due to inadequate blood flow.

How many people goes into shock and does not survive?

1 in 5 people go into shock will not survive

What are the type of Shock?

• Cardiogenic Shock

• Hypovolemic Shock

• Anaphylactic Shock

• Septic Shock

• Neurogenic Shock

Define Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiac (heart) problem

Define Hypovolemic Shock

little blood volume

Define Anaphylactic Shock

allergic reaction

Define Septic Shock

Infection

Define Neurogenic Shock

damage to the Nervous System

What are some common causes of Shock?

• Myocardial Infraction

• Heart Failure

• Excessive Bleeding

• Severe Dehydration

• Severe Allergic Reaction

• Infections

What are the symptoms of Shock?

• Anxiety

• Bluish lips and fingernails

• Chest Pain

• Confusion

• Faintness

• Low or no urine output

• Rapid, but weak pulse

• Shallow breathing

• Unconsciousness

• Pale, cool, clammy skin

What to do when someone goes into Shock?

• Call 911

• Check airway, breathing and circulation

• Keep victim warm and comfortable

• Place the person in Trendelenburg position (Feet elevated so blood can get back into the organ)

• Do not give anything to drink or eat.

What is orthostatic hypotension?

When your blood pressure drops significantly when sitting down to standing up. Not a disease or a complaint

What is the drop of the Systolic BP during Orthostatic Hypotension?

20 mm HG

What is the drop of the Diastolic BP during Orthostatic Hypotension?

10 mm HG

Orthostatic Hypotension is commonly referred as:

Postural Hypotension

How long does Orthostatic Hypotension last?

Few seconds to a few minutes after standing

What are some causes of Orthostatic Hypotension?

• Dehydration

• Cardiac Problems

• Endocrine Problems (Hypoglycemia, Thyroid conditions)

• Nervous System Disorder (Parkinson’s)

• Medications (especially those that affect the ANS)

Symptoms of Orthostatic Hypotension

• Blurred Vision

• Weakness

• Syncope

• Nausea

• Dizziness

What to do with someone who has Orthostatic Hyypotension?

• Monitor Victim BP during positional changes

• Tell victim to stand up slowly

• Tell victim not to cross lower extremities

• Raise head of the bed

• Medication

• Have victim wear compression socks (so blood stay in the upper extremities)