Comprehensive Respiratory and Cardiac Emergency Flashcards for Medical Students

Emphysema

Signs/Symptoms: Pink puffer; wheezes; pursed lip breathing; Thin barrel chest, pink complexion

Intervention: Albuterol, potential CPAP

Chronic Bronchitis

Signs/Symptoms: Blue boater; rhonchi; wheezes; overweight

Intervention: Albuterol, potential CPAP

Asthma

Signs/Symptoms: Cough, wheezing; chest tightness

Intervention: Albuterol, potential CPAP

Pneumonia

Signs/Symptoms: Fever, chest pain, rhonchi/localized wheezing; productive cough

Intervention: potential albuterol

Pulmonary embolism

Signs/Symptoms: Normal breath sounds, history of surgery or immobility; acute respiratory distress, hematemesis, syncope, cyanosis, JVD

Intervention: ALS, rapid transport

Pulmonary edema

Signs/Symptoms: Rales; pink, frothy sputum, JVD, hx CHF

Intervention: CPAP, nitro, ALS, transport

spontaneous pneumothorax

Signs/Symptoms: Tall thin males, history of smoking, sudden chest pain or dyspnea

Intervention: ALS, watch for tension pneumothorax

Hyperventilation syndrome

Signs/Symptoms: Tachypnea, anxiety; cramping/tingling in fingers/toes (carpopedal spasm); dizziness, chest tightness, low EtCO2

Intervention: Coach patient through breathing

Cystic Fibrosis

Signs/Symptoms: History of the disease, thick mucus with coughing, poor nutrition

Intervention: Humidified air, ALS, transport

Pertussis

Signs/Symptoms: Whooping cough

Intervention: Cover with surgical mask, transport

Epiglottitis

Signs/Symptoms: Fever, inability to swallow, drooling

Intervention: ALS, rapid transport

Viral Respiratory Infection

Signs/Symptoms: High fever, head/body aches

Intervention: ALS, rapid transport

Poisonous Exposure

Signs/Symptoms: Presence of chemicals, cough, dyspnea, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (rales)

Intervention: ALS, rapid transport

Stable Angina

Signs/Symptoms: Triggered by exertion, stress, or activity; predictable pattern; last

Unstable Angina

Signs/Symptoms: Occurs at rest or with minimal activity; new worsening or unpredictable pattern; lasts > 15-20minutes; Not relieved or only partially relieved by rest/nitroglycerin

Intervention: nitroglycerin, aspirin

MI

Signs/Symptoms: Chest pain/pressure, Radiating pain to jaw, neck, arm, diaphoresis, dyspnea, NV, dizziness, weakness

Intervention: nitroglycerin, aspirin

Aortic Aneurysm

Signs/Symptoms: pulsating mass; pain in back or abdomen

Intervention: ALS, rapid transport

Aortic dissection

Signs/Symptoms: Onset of sharp pain; Tearing/ripping sensation felt in back, flank, or arm; different left/right arm BP

Intervention: ALS, rapid transport

Cardiac Arrest

Signs/Symptoms: No pulse

Intervention: CPR/AED 100-120bpm

arteriosclerosis

Thickening or stiffening of arteries or arterioles

artherosclerosis

Inner wall of artery becomes rough and brittle with deposits

ischemic heart disease

disease involving a decreased blood flow to one or more portions of the heart muscle

Coronary artery disease

Plaque build up in vessels

Heart Failure

Symptoms: JVD, pedal edema, rales

Treatment: CPAP, nitroglycerin

Congestive Heart Failure

Build up of fluid in body from pump failure

Hypertensive Emergencies

Signs/Symptoms: BP > 160 or rapid rise in systolic or diastolic pressure or both; AMS, Seizures, sudden severe headache

Intervention: supportive care, rapid transport

Ischemic Stroke (thrombotic)

Signs/Symptoms: AMS, stroke test, slow onset

Intervention: Rapid transport, less than 3 hours, TPA

Ischemic Stroke (embolic)

Signs/Symptoms: AMS, stroke test, fast onset

Intervention: Rapid transport, less than 3 hours

Hemorrhagic stroke

Signs/Symptoms: AMS, stroke test, fast onset, worst headache ever

Intervention: Rapid transport, less than 3 hours

TIA (transient ischemic attack)

Signs/Symptoms: AMS< stroke test, goes away in 10-15 min

Intervention: Transport, sign of future stroke

Headache

Signs/Symptoms: Head pain (type varies)

Intervention: Acetaminophen

Grand Mal seizure

Signs/Symptoms: AMS, muscle spasms, incontinence, mouth, bleeding; post-ictal state

Intervention: Oxygen, ALS for IV, transport

Status epilepticus

Signs/Symptoms: Seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes or multiple seizures w/o return to baseline

Intervention: BVM, ALS, rapid transport

Simple partial seizure

Signs/Symptoms: Muscle jerk of one area

Intervention: Transport

Complex Partial Seizure

Signs/Symptoms: Awake but not aware of surroundings, one-sided

Intervention: Transport

Absence seizure

Signs/Symptoms: Rapid blinking, lack of attention

Intervention: Potential transport

Febrile seizure

Signs/Symptoms: Recent fever

Intervention: Potential Transport

Syncope

Signs/Symptoms: Remembers feeling light headed, short duration; immediate return of mental status

Intervention: Transport, look for potential underlying cause

Hyopglycemia

Signs/Symptoms: AMS, glucose less than 70

Intervention: Glucose, ALS

Hyperglycemia (DKA - Type 1)

Signs/Symptoms: AMS, over 350, fruity smell

Intervention: ALS for IV

Hyperglycemia (HHNS - Type 2)

Signs/Symptoms: AMS glucose 650-1000

Intervention: ALS for IV

Anaphylaxis

Signs/Symptoms: Respiratory distress, stridor, swelling of face/tongue, hives, signs of shock

Intervention: Epinephrine, diphenhydramine

Poison

Signs/Symptoms: Environmental cues, abdominal pain, itching, rashes, burns

Intervention: Potentially use activated charcoal, brush off dry poisons, irrigate for 20 minutes, wash away from body, contact poison control/medical direction

Drug Overdose narcotics

Signs/Symptoms: Respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils, bradycardia, hypotension, weak pulses, track marks, lethargy, AMS

Intervention: Narcan IN

Alcohol Overdose

Signs/Symptoms: Depressed respirations, vomiting, AMS or unresponsive, seizures, staggering, slurred speech, tachycardia or bradycardia

Intervention: ALS for IV, support airway, breathing

Peritonitis

Signs/Symptoms: Fever, abdominal pain, positive heel drop

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Appendicitis

Signs/Symptoms: Fever, positive heel drop; RLQ tenderness, nausea/vomiting

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Pancreatitis

Signs/Symptoms: Fever, severe abdominal pain with radiation from navel to back

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Cholecystitis (gallbladder)

Signs/Symptoms: Sudden onset epigastric pain, radiates to right scapula

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Upper GI bleeding

Signs/Symptoms: Coffee ground emesis; dark, tarry stool, hypotension, AMS, syncope, shock

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Lower GI bleeding

Signs/Symptoms: Bright red stool, abdominal pain

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Esophageal varices

Signs/Symptoms: Large amounts of bright red vomitus, absence of pain

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

gastroenteritis

Signs/Symptoms: Fever, dehydration, cramping

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Ulcers

Signs/Symptoms: Sudden onset of abdominal pain, burning, signs of blood in vomitus and stool

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Intestinal Obstruction

Signs/Symptoms: Abdominal pain, constipation, distention, high-pitched bowel sounds

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Hernia

Signs/Symptoms: Sudden onset of pain (during exertion), fever, tender mass

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Signs/Symptoms: Gradual onset of pain, rupture of tearing pain, mottled skin, absence of pedal pulse, cyanosis of lower extremities

Intervention: Consider ALS, rapid transport, Prehospital treatment, Do not give anything by mouth

ovarian cyst

Signs/Symptoms: Unilateral abdominopelvic pain, vaginal bleeding

Intervention: Pad for bleeding (don't pack vagina), consider ALS

endometritis

Signs/Symptoms: Fever, vaginal bleeding/discharge

Intervention: Pad for bleeding (don't pack vagina), consider ALS

endometriosis

Signs/Symptoms: Dull or cramping pain, dysmenorrhea, vaginal bleeding

Intervention: Pad for bleeding (don't pack vagina), consider ALS

STD

Signs/Symptoms: Abnormal vaginal discharge, genital itching lesions

Intervention: Pad for bleeding (don't pack vagina), consider ALS

Ectopic pregnancy

Signs/Symptoms: Dull aching, lower abdominal pain, shock, vaginal bleeding, shoulder pain, hypotension

Intervention: Pad for bleeding; ALS

placenta previa

Signs/Symptoms: Painless vaginal bleeding usually 3rd trimester, uterus soft/non-tender, shock

Intervention: Control bleeding; rapid transport/ALS for shock

abruptio placenta

Signs/Symptoms: Vaginal bleeding may be significant, constant, severe abdominal pain, uterine contractions, shock

Intervention: Control bleeding; rapid transport/ALS for shock

ruptured uterus

Signs/Symptoms: Vaginal bleeding, pain, no contractions, usually during labor, delivery or trauma

Intervention: Control bleeding; rapid transport/ALS for shock

Urinary Tract Infection

Signs/Symptoms: Fever, blood/odor in urine, genital pain

Intervention: Consider ALS

Kidney stone

Signs/Symptoms: Flank of back pain that is colicky and sever, pain with frequent urination

Intervention: Consider ALS

Kidney Failure

Signs/Symptoms: Rales, blood urine, peripheral edema, hypertension, reduced or no urine output

Intervention: ALS, treat emerging ailments

Stings

Signs/Symptoms: Swelling, bruising, injection sites

Intervention: Remove stingers, rinse wound, watch for allergic reactions, ALS, transport

snake bites

Signs/Symptoms: Swelling, bruising, injection sites

Intervention: Rinse wound, apply ice, consider tourniquet, ALS, transport

ticks

Signs/Symptoms: Visibly embedded tick

Intervention: Slowly remove, wash site, transport

marine creatures

Signs/Symptoms: Stinging, burning, itching

Intervention: Apply meat tenderizer/vinegar, wash with warm water, ALS, transport

generalized hypothermia

Signs/Symptoms: Internal temperature under 95 degrees, cold skin, AMS

Intervention: Actively warm if alert, passively rewarm if not, ALS

Localized hypothermia

Signs/Symptoms: White, solid skin

Intervention: Rapidly thaw if no chance of refreeze, 104 degrees water, ALS, transport

Heat cramps

Signs/Symptoms: Localized muscle spasms

Intervention: Drink electrolyte water, rest

Heat exhaustion

Signs/Symptoms: physical exertion in hot/humid environment

Intervention: Actively cool, give liquids only if alert, ALS, transport

Heat stroke

Signs/Symptoms: AMS, hot, dry (sometimes moist) skin

Intervention: Actively cool, give liquids only if alert, ALS, transport

lightning strike

Signs/Symptoms: Environmental cues, evidence of burns

Intervention: ALS, CPR if no pulse

High altitude sickness

Signs/Symptoms: Environmental cues, AMS

Intervention: Move to lower altitude

drowning

Signs/Symptoms: Found in water, environmental cues

Intervention: Consider C-spine, provide rescue breaths/CPR as needed, ALS

Decompression Sickness

Signs/Symptoms: Recent history of diving, AMS, joint pain

Intervention: Transfer to isobaric chamber

Anxiety

Signs/Symptoms: panic, agitation, restlessness

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

Phobias

Signs/Symptoms: Fear of specific things

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

Depression

Signs/Symptoms: Sadness, worthlessness, discouragement

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

bipolar disorder

Signs/Symptoms: Manic or Depressive

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

paranoia

Signs/Symptoms: Someone is "out to get them"

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

psychosis

Signs/Symptoms: Out of touch with reality

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

schizophrenia

Signs/Symptoms: Distortions in reality

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

Suicide

Signs/Symptoms: An attempt on one's life

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

Agitated delirium

Signs/Symptoms: Unusual strength/tolerance of pain, hostility, frenzied, diaphoretic

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

Violence to others

Signs/Symptoms: Nervous pacing, threatening, chasing

Intervention: Treat as any other patient, remain calm, no sudden movements, potentially request police assistance

Hypovolemic Shock

shock resulting from blood or fluid loss; Hemorrhage and Non-Hemorrhagic (Burns, Vomiting, Diarrhea)

Distributive Shock

Abnormal distribution of blood in vessels; insufficient blood return; Septic, Anaphylactic, Neurogenic

Cardiogenic Shock

Heart isn't working; MI, CHF, Beta blockers/calcium channel blockers, abnormal Heart Rhythm, Bad pump function

Obstructive Shock

Mechanical obstruction or compression that prevents blood from reaching the heart; PE, Pericardia Tamponade, Tension Pneumothorax

Metabolic/Respiratory Shock

Inability of body to use, transport, and/or offload O2; Bad O2 perfusion, Problem with O2 carrying, offloading, or use by cells

ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)

severe respiratory failure that does not improve easily with oxygen alone and often develops after a major illness or injury