Caring for Common Medical Emergencies

16

Topics

Medical EmergenciesEvaluating Mental StatusOverdose and PoisoningBehavioral Emergencies

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Medical Emergencies

• Assessment Take appropriate BSI precautions. Complete a scene size-up. Perform primary assessment. Perform secondary assessment. Complete reassessments. Comfort and reassure patient while

awaiting additional EMS resources.

EVALUATING MENTAL STATUS

Evaluating Mental Status

• Normal mental status Complete and accurate awareness of

one's surroundings• Person• Place• Time• Events

Evaluating Mental Status

• Altered mental status (AMS) Decreased patient alertness and

responsiveness to surroundings• Confusion• Slow to respond

Figure 16.1 A patient with an altered mental status is often confused and not aware of his surroundings.

Figure 16.3 The Glasgow Coma Scale.

Figure 16.2 Common causes of an altered mental status.

Figure 16.4 Identifying the exact cause of altered mental status can be very difficult.

Evaluating Mental Status

• Signs and Symptoms of AMS Confusion Seizures Inappropriate behavior Lack of awareness of surroundings Combativeness Syncope• Collapse or fainting

Unresponsiveness

Evaluating Mental Status

• Assessing the Patient Focus on observation. Obtain complete medical history.• Baseline mental status

Use AVPU scale• Alert• Verbal• Painful• Unresponsive

Evaluating Mental Status

• General treatment of AMS BSI airway and breathing. oxygen as per local protocols. vital signs.

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SEIZURES

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CVA

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Altered Mental Status—Stroke: Cerebrovascular Accident

Figure 16.6 A patient suffering a stroke may have facial droop on one side or the other. (© Michal Heron)

DIABETES

OVERDOSE AND POISONING

Table 16.2 Commonly Abused Substances

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Table 16.2 (continued) Commonly Abused Substances

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Table 16.2 (continued) Commonly Abused Substances

Overdose and Poisoning

• Routes of Exposure Ingestion Inhalation Absorption Injection

Figure 16.8 The American Association of Poison Control Centers maintains an easy-to-remember nationwide 800 number.

Figure 16.9 Poisons come in colorful containers that are often appealing to children.

Overdose and Poisoning

• Inhaled Poisons Carbon monoxide • Takes the place of oxygen in the blood

stream.• Signs and symptoms• Headache • Dizziness • Confusion• Seizures• Coma

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Overdose and Poisoning

• Absorbed Poisons Signs and Symptoms• Skin reactions• Mild irritations to severe burns

• Hives• Itching• Eye irritation• Headache• Increased skin temperature

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Overdose and Poisoning

• Injected Poisons Sources• Insect stings• Spider bites• Stings from marine life• Snakebites• Hypodermic needle• Drug overdose or contamination

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ALLERGIC REACTION

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BEHAVIORAL EMERGENCIES

Figure 16.11 Encourage the emotionally distraught patient to tell you what is troubling her.

Figure 16.12 Law enforcement officers may be needed to approach and control a patient experiencing a behavioral emergency.

Figure 16.13 Use restraint only as a last resort.