Medical Emergencies KASIE

Vital Signs

Clinical measurements that determine the body's ability to pump blood and breathe, reflecting the overall health status of a patient. Includes pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and temperature.

Pulse

The speed of the heartbeat and the corresponding expansion and contraction of an artery as blood is forced out of the heart muscle.

Radial Pulse

The pulse felt at the wrist along the groove at the base of the thumb; it is the most common site for checking pulse in a dental office.

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid pulse rate of greater than 100 beats per minute (BPM).

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow pulse rate of less than 60 beats per minute (BPM).

Rhythm (Pulse)

The relation of one pulse beat to another, measured by the regularity of the heart's action.

Strength / Stroke Volume

The volume of blood pushing against the blood vessel walls with each contraction.

Bounding pulse

An abnormally strong or powerful pulse.

Thready pulse

A weak, fine pulse that is difficult to detect.

Respiration

The physiological process by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged within the body.

External Respiration

The process where oxygen is taken into the body and carbon dioxide is eliminated via the lungs.

Internal Respiration

The utilization of oxygen and production of carbon dioxide, involving the gas exchange between systemic cells and capillaries.

Tachypnea

An abnormally fast breathing rate of greater than 20 breaths per minute.

Bradypnea

An abnormally slow breathing rate of less than 12 breaths per minute.

Apnea

The complete absence of breathing, which can lead to respiratory arrest if prolonged.

Pyrexia (Fever)

An abnormal elevation of body temperature above the normal baseline 98.6°F / 37.5°C, frequently caused by infection, trauma, or drugs.

Hypothermia

A reduced body temperature accompanied by shivering, cool skin, and pallor.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels.

Systolic BP

The force exerted against blood vessel walls during ventricular contraction. Normal adult range is 100–120 mmHg.

Diastolic BP

The force exerted against blood vessel walls during ventricular relaxation. Normal adult range is 60–80 mmHg.

Pulse Pressure

The mathematical difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings (normally 30–40 mmHg).

Hypertension (HBP)

A chronic cardiovascular disorder characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure.

Elevated BP

Systolic 120–129 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg.

Stage 1 Hypertension

Systolic 130–139 mmHg or diastolic 80–89 mmHg.

Stage 2 Hypertension

Systolic 140 mmHg or higher or diastolic 90 mmHg or higher. Hypertensive Urgency

Hypertensive Emergency

An extremely high blood pressure reading accompanied by acute, life-threatening target end-organ damage (such as a myocardial infarction or stroke). Hypotension

Orthostatic Hypotension (Postural Hypotension)

A sudden, sharp drop in blood pressure resulting from a rapid change in body position, typically when moving from a supine to a sitting or standing position.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that can cause profound hypotension, bronchospasms, and laryngeal edema.

Angina Pectoris

Severe chest pain caused by an inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

Syncope

A temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure

Hypoglycemia

An abnormally low level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Asthma

A respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing.

Size E Oxygen Cylinder

The recommended portable oxygen tank size for a dental office, which provides approximately 30 minutes of oxygen supply.

Regulator

A device consisting of a joined reducing valve and flow meter that safely controls and releases pressurized oxygen from the cylinder.

Flow Meter

A dial on the regulator that allows the operator to determine and adjust the amount of oxygen delivered, measured in liters per minute (L/min).

Nasal Cannula

A low-flow oxygen delivery device consisting of a tube with two prongs inserted into the nostrils, resting on the upper lip; delivers an oxygen flow of 1–6 L/min.

Non-Rebreathing Face Mask

An oxygen delivery mask placed over the nose and mouth equipped with an attached reservoir bag and one-way valves to deliver high concentrations of oxygen (6–12 L/min) without letting room air in or exhaled gases mix.

Bag Mask

used for complete oxygen delivery to patients in respiratory arrest

Stethoscope

A medical listening device that magnifies sound, used in conjunction with a sphygmomanometer to hear blood flow sounds.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

A portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and can deliver an electrical shock to re-establish an effective heart rhythm.

Perioretriever

A specialized instrument included in the dental emergency kit used to retrieve broken instrument tips from periodontal pockets.

Epinephrine

The primary drug used to treat anaphylaxis. It counteracts physiological events by reducing hypotension, bronchospasms, and laryngeal edema. (Adult dose

Nitroglycerin

treat angina pectoris, myocardial infarctions, or congestive heart failure by dilating coronary blood vessels

Diphenhydramine / Chlorpheniramine

Oral or intramuscular histamine blockers (antihistamines) used to treat mild to moderate, non-life-threatening allergic reactions

Albuterol

A bronchodilator administered via an inhaler to treat acute asthma attacks or bronchospasms, relaxing the bronchioles with minimal cardiovascular side effects.

Aspirin

administered during a suspected myocardial infarction to reduce overall mortality

Oral Carbohydrate

Glucose pastes or tablets included in the emergency kit to treat conscious hypoglycemic patients.

Glucagon

A supplemental injectable hormone administered intramuscularly (IM) to treat an unconscious hypoglycemic patient.

Corticosteroid (Hydrocortisone)

A supplemental drug with a slow onset (greater than 1 hour) used to reduce histamine release and prevent the recurrence of anaphylaxis or treat an adrenal crisis. 100 mg

Injectable Benzodiazepine (Lorazepam)

An anticonvulsant and skeletal muscle relaxant administered IM (typically 4 mg) to manage prolonged seizures or hyperventilation

Dyspnea

Labored or dysfunctional breathing that requires excessive effort from the patient, usually indicating a need for oxygen administration.

Stridor

A harsh, high-pitched crowding sound heard on inspiration, typically associated with an upper airway obstruction.

Wheezing

A high-pitched whistling sound heard on expiration or inspiration, typically associated with asthma or bronchospasms.

Biot's Respirations

An abnormal breathing pattern characterized by regular periods of shallow breaths alternating abruptly with periods of apnea.

Cheyne-Stokes Respirations

An abnormal breathing pattern characterized by a gradual increase in breathing rate and depth, followed by a decrease, alternating with periods of apnea; often seen in congestive heart failure or drug overdoses.

Kussmaul Respirations

An abnormal breathing pattern marked by a highly increased depth and rapid rate of breathing (greater than 20 breaths per minute), commonly associated with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) or renal failure