CMA CH 22/23

Natural disaster

A catastrophic event that is caused by nature or the natural processes of the earth

Man-made disaster

An event that causes serious damage through intentional or negligent human actions or the failure of a man-made system

Characteristics of disasters that cause the most serious psychological effects…

Occur without warning

Pose a serious threat to personal safety or have unknown health effects

Have an uncertain duration

Result from malicious intent or human error

Have a symbolic significance

Stress

The body's response to threat or change

Alarm phase

Body senses a stressor and begins to react

Epinephrine is released, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system

Pupils dilate

Heart beats faster

Respirations and perspirations increase

Blood pressure rises

Muscles tense

Attention focuses on threat or task

Very short duration

Anxiety

A feeling of worry or uneasiness, often triggered by an event with an uncertain outcome

Elements of fire

Fuel source

Ignition source (heat)

Oxygen

Examples of ignition source (heat)

Open flames

Faulty electrical equipment

Hot surfaces

Sparks

Operating a fire distinguisher

P:    Pull out the pin

A:    Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire

S:    Squeeze the handle

S:    Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire

Emergency response to fire

Respond immediately

R: Rescue anyone in immediate danger of    the fire

A: Activate the alarm

C: Confine the fire by closing doors and windows

E: Extinguish the fire or evacuate the area

Purposes of First Aid

To save a life

Reduce pain and suffering

Prevent further injury

Reduce the incidence of permanent disability

Increase the opportunity for an early recovery

Office crash cart

Includes: Medications,equipment, and supplies

Asthma

Asthma attack triggers

E.g., dust, pollen, mold, animal dander

Nonspecific factors

E.g., tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, air pollutants, stress

Status asthmaticus

Severe prolonged asthma attack

Life-threatening emergency

Typical asthma breathing sounds may be absent

Skin may be bluish

Hyperventilation

Rapid deep respirations

Too much carbon dioxide exhaled

Can be caused by

Fear and anxiety

Organic conditions

E.g., diabetic coma, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, head injury, high fever, and aspirin poisoning

Heart Attack

Blockage of blood flow in one or both coronary arteries or their branches

AKA Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Symptoms

Substernal chest pain

Squeezing or crushing pressure, severe indigestion, or burning, heaviness, or aching

Radiation of pain from chest to neck, throat, jaw, shoulders, arms

Shortness of breath

Profuse perspiration

Nausea

Fainting

Stroke

An interruption of blood flow to the brain caused by a blocked or ruptured artery

Also known as Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

Stroke symptoms

Sudden one-sided weakness of face, arm, or leg

Difficulty speaking

Double vision, dimmed vision, vision loss in 1 eye

Dizziness or confusion

Severe headache

Loss of consciousness

Hypovolemic Shock

Caused by loss of blood or other fluids

Results from

Internal or external hemorrhage

Plasma loss from severe burns

Fluid loss from severe dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, or profuse perspiration

Anaphylactic shock

Release of large amounts of histamine in reaction to allergen

Histamine causes blood vessels throughout the body to dilate and blood pressure drops

Impacted fracture

The broken ends of the bones are forcefully jammed together

Comminuted Fracture

The bone is splintered or shattered in 3 or more fragments; usually caused by an extremely traumatic direct force

Superficial (First-Degree) Burn

Most common type of burn

Involves top layer of skin (epidermis)

Skin appears red, warm, and dry to touch

Usually painful

Heals in 2 to 5 days

Does not cause scarring

Partial-Thickness (Second-Degree) Burn

Involves epidermis and dermis

Does not pass through the dermis

Appears red, mottled, and blistered

Leave blisters intact in most cases

Very painful

Area often swells

Usually heals within 3 to 4 weeks

May cause some scarring

Full-Thickness (Third-Degree) Burn

Completely destroys epidermis and dermis and extends into underlying tissues (fat, muscle, bone, nerves)

Patient may experience intense pain

Extensive nerve damage may mean no pain is registered

Dense scars typically result

Infection is a major concern

Brown recluse spider

Light brown with dark brown, violin-shaped mark on back

Only black widow spider & brown recluse

Cause serious or life threatening complications

Snake rule

Any unidentified snake should be considered poisonous

Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes

Type 1: more severe (from childhood/birth)

Type 2: milder form (usually occurs in adults, most common)

Insulin shock (hypoglycemia)

“Insulin shock”

Too much insulin, not enough glucose

Symptoms

Onset

Treatment

Sugared food and drink

Diabetic ketoacidosis (diabetic coma)

“Diabetic coma”

Not enough insulin, too much glucose

Acid waste products build up in blood