CERT U3 MED CARE STUDY GUIDE

3.1: Basic Medical Care

CERT members are taught to:

• Control bleeding

• Maintain a normal body temperature

• Position a patient to support breathing

• Recognize and treat shock

Safety First

• Personal Safety Questions:

• “Am I safe?”

• “Do I have proper PPE?”

Approaching the Patient

• If the patient is conscious:

• Make sure they can see you as you approach.

• Introduce yourself and your organization: “Hi, I’m [Your Name] with CERT. I’m here to help.”

• Request permission to touch or examine them; if they are unconscious, consent is implied.

• Example: “Is it OK if I touch you to check your head? Arm?”

• Respect cultural differences and ensure confidentiality.

Types of Bleeding

• Arterial Bleeding: Bright red blood, spurting or spewing; most difficult to control.

• Venous Bleeding: Dark red blood, steady flow or pooling.

• Capillary Bleeding: Slow oozing of blood, common in surface injuries like road rash.

Knowledge Check for Bleeding Types:

• Capillary: Appears like road rash.

• Venous: Pooling of blood.

• Arterial: Spurting or spewing.

Methods to Control Bleeding:

• Direct Pressure: Use a sterile dressing and apply pressure to the wound.

• Tourniquet: Apply only if bleeding cannot be controlled by direct pressure.

Shock Recognition and Treatment

Signs of Shock:

• Rapid, shallow breathing (30+ breaths per minute).

• Weak or absent radial pulse.

• Capillary refill takes more than 2 seconds.

• Inability to follow simple commands (e.g., “Squeeze my hand”).

Steps to Control Shock:

• Maintain an Open Airway: Use head tilt, chin lift or jaw thrust (for unconscious); tripod or recovery position for conscious.

• Control Excessive Bleeding: Address bleeding immediately.

• Maintain Body Temperature:

• Place a blanket over and under the patient.

• Remove wet clothing, shield from wind, and ensure warmth.

Recovery Position

Purpose: To make unconscious patients comfortable, maintain an open airway, and allow fluids to drain if needed. Do not leave them alone.

Steps to Position a Patient:

• Lay the patient on their side.

• Place the bottom arm under the head for support.

• Top arm is positioned across the body for stability.

• Legs should be bent slightly.

• Raise the chin forward and tilt the mouth downward.

Providing Comfort to the Patient

• Ask simple questions and actively listen to their responses.

• Provide only information you know; avoid speculation.

• Keep them warm, offer a hand to hold (wear gloves, change between patients).

• Maintain eye contact and be patient.

• If you need to attend to another patient, inform them first.

Test Questions:

1. Most difficult bleed to control: Arterial

2. Effective methods to control severe bleeding: Tourniquet, dressings, direct pressure (“presión directa”)

3. Most common airway obstruction: Tongue

4. Shock symptoms:

• Capillary refill > 2 seconds

• Potentially fatal

• Dazed, confused behavior

• Caused by poor circulation

5. Types of bleeding: Arterial, Venous, Capillary

3.2: Injuries, Burns, and Environmental Concerns

Burn Types and Treatment

Burn Degrees:

• First Degree: Superficial, red, no blisters.

• Second Degree: Partial thickness, red with blisters.

• Third Degree: Full thickness, black or charred.

Burn Dos and Don’ts:

• Prevent hypothermia, manage pain, and reduce infection risk.

• For chemical burns: Brush away dry chemicals before flushing with water.

Burn Knowledge Check:

• Superficial: Red, no blisters.

• Partial Thickness: Blisters.

• Full Thickness: Blackened.

Wound and Injury Management

• Bandaging Wounds: Apply clean, dry dressings; monitor for infection.

• Signs of Infection: Swelling, discharge, or red streaks from the wound site.

• Amputations: Control bleeding, wrap the area in a sterile dressing.

• Impaled Objects: Do not remove; stabilize the object.

Fractures, Dislocations, Sprains, and Strains:

• Closed Fracture: No open wound.

• Open Fracture: Bone protrudes through the skin.

• Displaced and Non-Displaced Fractures: Displaced fractures require immobilization.

• Splinting:

• Support injury above and below the site.

• Check PMS (Pulse, Movement, Sensory) before and after splinting.

• Immobilize in the position found and fill any voids.

Nasal Injuries:

• Pinch nostrils and lean forward to control bleeding.

Environmental Injuries

Hypothermia:

• Symptoms: Body temp ≤ 95°F, skin redness/blueness, shivering, slurred speech, listlessness.

• Treatment: Remove wet clothing, place a barrier between patient and ground, wrap in layers, cover head and neck, avoid massaging affected areas.

Frostbite:

• Symptoms: Skin discoloration, burning/tingling sensation, numbness.

• Treatment: Warm the area slowly, avoid refreezing, do not massage, wrap in a sterile, dry dressing.

Hypothermia/Frostbite Knowledge Check:

• Hypothermia: Low body temp, slurred speech, redness of skin, shivering.

• Frostbite: Numbness, skin discoloration, tingling sensation.

Heat-Related Illnesses

• Heat Cramps: Muscle spasms due to loss of salt.

• Heat Exhaustion:

• Symptoms: Cool, moist, pale, flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness.

• Heat Stroke:

• Symptoms: Hot, red skin; lack of sweat; altered consciousness; body temp ≥ 105°F.

Treatment:

• Move to a cool environment, cool the body slowly, give water if conscious (no food or drink if vomiting or losing consciousness).

Bites and Stings

• Anaphylaxis may occur; keep the patient calm.

• Remove restrictive clothing and jewelry.

• Assist with EpiPen if available.

• Monitor closely and seek medical help.

Test Knowledge Check:

1. True: Brush away dry chemicals for burns.

2. True: Frostbite treatment involves warming slowly.

3. False: Do not remove a soaked bandage.

4. True: Use a credit card to remove stingers.

5. False: Do not apply ice, ointments, or antiseptics to burns; avoid breaking blisters or removing stuck clothing.

6. True: Hypothermia involves low body temperature; frostbite restricts blood flow.

7. Infection: Swelling, discharge, or red streaks.

8. Heat Exhaustion: Pale, flushed skin; sweating; dizziness.

9. Anaphylaxis: Life-threatening allergic reaction.

10. Heat Stroke: Hot, red skin; shallow breathing; changes in consciousness.

11. Impaled Objects: Do not remove embedded foreign objects.