EMT exam 5

most frequently used date rape drug

alcohol, followed by roofies

types of blast injuries (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary)

Primary: from blast itself (lungs and ears). Secondary: from shrapnel etc. Tertiary: patient thrown from blast. Quaternary: miscellaneous (fire, chemical burns, etc)

evisceration definition and care

organs protruding through wound. cover with sterile gauze moistened with sterile saline and secure it with an occlusive dressing. The occlusive dressing helps keep the heat in, which is important to prevent and manage shock.

what is subcutaneous emphysema and what should you do if you encounter it

air in soft tissues (cackling sensation when palpating neck). call ALS, secure spine

symptoms of retinal detachment

painless, flashing lights, specks, floaters in field of vision, cloud or shade over patient’s vision

blow-out fracture definition and treatment

fracture of the bones in the orbit. can entrap muscles of the eyes, causing altered vision, pain, double vision. transport immediately to ED and cover eye with metal shield and cover the other eye as well.

where is Adam’s apple

upper part of larynx, formed by thyroid cartilage

anterior vs posterior nosebleeds

anterior: from septum and drip slowly. posterior are more aggressive and cause blood to be swallowed, leading to vomiting

what is the vitreous humor and aqueous humor

vitreous humor: clear, jellylike fluid near the back of the eye. aqueous humor: clear fluid in front of eye (more can be made if leaks out during injury)

what is anisocoria

unequal pupils

what is acute retinitis and what are symptoms

an inflammation of retina due to viral infections like herpes. symptoms include blurry vision, eye pain, sensitivity to light, and new floaters and flashing lights

ecchymosis definition

large bruise

hematoma vs bruise

hematoma is raised, solid lump of blood below skin, bruise is flat and less severe

why are burns more serious in children than adults

children have greater surface area relative to body mass, meaning greater fluid and heat loss

what does somatic nervous system do

control conscious movement

GCS for eyes

basically AVPU

GCS for verbal

5=oriented, 4=confused, 3=inappropriate, 2=sounds, 1=nothing

GCS motor

6=obeys commands, 5=localizes pain/pressure, 4=moves away from pain, 3=abnormal flexion (decorticate), 2=abnormal extension (decerebrate), 1=nothing

define decorticate

moving arms in to core

define decertibrate

arms extend out from torso

signs of basilar skull fracture

from high energy trauma. CSF drainage from nose or ears (rupture of tympanic membrane in the ear), raccoon eyes or battle sign

other term for ecchymosis under eyes

raccoon eyes

what is battle sign

bruise behind ear, indicating potential basilar skull fracture

primary vs secondary brain injuries

primary: directly from the impact to head. secondary: factors that increase severity of primary brain injury (i.e. hypoxia, hypotension)

blunt trauma to abdomen with referred pain in LEFT shoulder indicates injury to…

spleen

blunt trauma to abdomen with referred pain in RIGHT shoulder indicates injury to…

liver

what is first sign of nontraumatic internal hemorrhage in older patients?

dizziness, syncope, or weakness

the body can’t tolerate losses of blood more than ??? volume

20% of blood volume

what often produces epidural hematoma

linear fractur in temporal region

when does subdural hematoma occur

strong deceleration forces or falls

cushing’s triad

high BP, low pulse, irregular respirations

which gynecological condition if left untreated could lead to infection of blood and brain

ghonorrhea

which gynecological condition if left untreated would lead to PID

chlamydia

when is a burn severe

covers over 20% of BSA in adults, 30% in children, or 10% in elderly; on hands, feet, groin, over joint; circumferential burns