Chapter 9 Medical Emergencies

National EMS Education Standard Competencies (1 of 6) Medicine Recognizes and manages life threats based on assessment findings of a patient with a medical emergency while awaiting additional emergency response.

National EMS Education Standard Competencies (2 of 6) Medical Overview Assessment and management of a Medical complaint Neurology Anatomy, presentations, management of Decreased level of responsiveness Seizure Stroke

National EMS Education Standard Competencies (3 of 6) Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Disorders Anatomy, presentations, and management of shock associated with abdominal emergencies Gastrointestinal bleeding Endocrine Disorders Awareness that Diabetic emergencies cause AMS

National EMS Education Standard Competencies (4 of 6) Cardiovascular Anatomy, signs, symptoms, and management Chest pain Cardiac arrest

National EMS Education Standard Competencies (5 of 6) Respiratory Anatomy, signs, symptoms, and management of respiratory emergencies including those that affect the Upper airway Lower airway

National EMS Education Standard Competencies (6 of 6) Genitourinary/Renal Blood pressure assessment in hemodialysis patients

Introduction (1 of 2) Common medical conditions include: –Angina pectoris –Heart attack –Dyspnea –Asthma –Stroke –Insulin shock and diabetic coma –Abdominal pain

Introduction (2 of 2) EMRs can prepare to treat medical patients by studying the signs, symptoms, and treatments of each condition.

Patient Assessment in Medical Emergencies (1 of 3)

Patient Assessment in Medical Emergencies (2 of 3) Review the dispatch information. Carefully assess the scene to identify safety issues. As you perform the primary assessment: –Try to form an impression of the problem first. –Then, determine the patient’s responsiveness, introduce yourself, check the ABCs, and acknowledge the chief complaint.

Patient Assessment in Medical Emergencies (3 of 3) Usually, it is best to obtain a medical history on a medical patient before you perform the secondary assessment. –Use the SAMPLE history format. –Obtain the patient’s vital signs. Monitor the patient through ongoing reassessment. Remember to reassure the patient.

General Medical Conditions General medical conditions may have different causes, yet result in similar signs and symptoms. Initial treatment can stabilize the patient until other EMS and hospital personnel can take over.

Altered Mental Status (1 of 5) Sudden or gradual decrease in the patient’s level of responsiveness Use the AVPU scale to assess mental status: –Alert –Verbal –Pain –Unresponsive

Altered Mental Status (2 of 5) When assessing the patient’s mental status, consider two factors: –The patient’s initial level of consciousness –Any change in that level of consciousness

Altered Mental Status (3 of 5) Conditions causing an altered level of consciousness –Head injury –Shock –Decreased level of oxygen to the brain –Stroke –Slow heart rate –High fever

Altered Mental Status (4 of 5) Conditions causing an altered level of consciousness (cont’d) –Infection –Poisoning –Low level of blood glucose –Insulin reaction –Psychiatric condition

Altered Mental Status (5 of 5) Initial treatment –Maintain the patient’s ABCs and normal body temperature. –Keep the patient from additional harm. –If the patient is unconscious and has not sustained trauma, place the patient in the recovery position or use an airway adjunct. –Be prepared to suction.

Seizures (1 of 6) Caused by sudden episodes of uncontrolled electrical impulses in the brain Generalized seizures –Produce shaking movements –Involve the entire body –Last 1 to 2 minutes –Usually leave patients unconscious

Seizures (2 of 6) Generalized seizures caused by a sudden high fever –Called febrile seizures –Occur in infants and young children Absence seizures –Result in only a brief lapse of consciousness –Patients may blink, stare vacantly, or jerk one part of their body

Seizures (3 of 6) Monitor the patient’s ABCs and arrange for transport. Seizures can be caused by: –Epilepsy –Trauma –Head injury –Stroke –Shock

Seizures (4 of 6) Seizures can be caused by: (cont’d) –Decreased level of oxygen to the brain –High fever –Infection –Poisoning –Brain tumor or infection –Diabetic emergencies –Complication of pregnancy

Seizures (5 of 6) Treatment –Usually, the seizure will be over by the time you arrive at the scene. –If it has not ended, focus on protecting the patient from injury. –Once the seizure stops, ensure an open airway and place the patient in the recovery position.

Seizures (6 of 6) Treatment (cont’d) –If the patient does not resume breathing, begin mouth-to-mask or mouth-to-mouth breathing. –After the seizure, move the patient to a more comfortable, private place.

Specific Medical Conditions You will find it helpful to be knowledgeable about some of the more specific medical conditions you may encounter as an EMR. This information will help you assess, treat, and communicate more effectively with patients.

Heart Conditions The heart must receive a constant supply of oxygen or it will die. The heart receives its oxygen through a complex system of coronary arteries. –These arteries may narrow as a result of atherosclerosis. –Progressive atherosclerosis can cause angina pectoris, heart attack, and cardiac arrest.

Angina Pectoris (1 of 2) Chest pain caused by an inadequate flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle Often described as pressure or heavy discomfort The patient is often short of breath and sweating, is extremely frightened, and has a sense of doom.

Angina Pectoris (2 of 2) Ask if the patient is already being treated for a heart condition and has nitroglycerin. –Assist the patient in taking one pill or administering the aerosol spray. –If the pain has not lessened 5 minutes after the first dose, help the patient take another. –If the pain has not lessened 5 minutes after the second dose, assume the patient is having a heart attack and transport promptly.

Heart Attack (1 of 4) Results when one or more of the coronary arteries is completely blocked Two causes of coronary artery blockage: –Severe atherosclerosis –Blood clot

Heart Attack (2 of 4) Signs of heart attack include: –The patient suffers immediate and severe pain. –The pain may radiate from the chest to the left arm or to the jaw. –The patient is usually short of breath, weak, sweating, and nauseated, and may vomit. –If the blocked area is critical or large, the heart may stop completely.

Heart Attack (3 of 4) Complete cessation of heartbeat is called cardiac arrest. –CPR is your first emergency treatment. Take the following actions: –Summon additional help. –Talk to the patient to relieve his or her anxiety. –Touch the patient to establish a bond. –Reassure the patient.

Heart Attack (4 of 4) Take the following actions: (cont’d) –Move the patient as little as possible. –Place the patient in the most comfortable position. –Administer oxygen if it is available. –Be prepared to administer CPR. –If an AED is available, have it brought to the patient and make sure it is ready for use.

Congestive Heart Failure (1 of 3) Caused by failure of the heart to pump adequately The failure is in the heart muscle, but the congestion is in the blood vessels.

Congestive Heart Failure (2 of 3) Signs and symptoms –Breathing difficulty (major symptom) –Rapid, shallow breathing –Moist or gurgling respirations –Profuse sweating –Enlarged neck veins –Swollen ankles –Anxiety

Congestive Heart Failure (3 of 3) Take these actions: –Place the patient in a sitting position with the legs down to drain some of the fluid back into the lower parts of the body. –Administer oxygen in large quantities and at a high flow rate. –Summon additional help. –Arrange for prompt transport.

Dyspnea (1 of 4) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Usually associated with serious heart or lung disease –Heart-related causes: angina pectoris, heart attack, and CHF –Other causes: pulmonary disease such as COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma

Dyspnea (2 of 4) General treatment –Check the patient’s airway to be sure it is not obstructed. –Check the rate and depth of breathing. –Place the patient in a comfortable position. –Provide reassurance. –Loosen any tight clothing. –Administer oxygen if it is available.

Dyspnea (3 of 4) Asthma –Acute spasm of the air passage associated with excess mucus production and swelling of the lining of the respiratory passage –Can be caused by: An allergic reaction Severe emotional stress Exercise Respiratory infections

Dyspnea (4 of 4) Asthma (cont’d) –Asthma attacks kill 4,000 to 5,000 people each year. –Patients will have great difficulty exhaling and a wheezing sound will be heard. –Follow the treatment steps for dyspnea and instruct the patient to perform pursed-lip breathing. –If ALS is not available, transport promptly.

Stroke (1 of 6) Leading cause of brain injury and disability in adults Most strokes are caused by a blood clot that blocks blood supply to a part of the brain. Signs and symptoms –Dizziness –Confusion

Stroke (2 of 6) Signs and symptoms (cont’d) –Drooling –Numbness/paralysis on one side of the body –Difficulty seeing –Unequal pupil size –Patient may be alert, confused, unresponsive, or unable to speak –Seizures

Stroke (3 of 6) Signs and symptoms (cont’d) –Unconsciousness –Incontinence –Respiratory arrest Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale –Used to determine whether a patient may have experienced a stroke –Requires no special equipment

Stroke (4 of 6)

Stroke (5 of 6) Treatment –The first priority is to maintain an open airway. –Administer oxygen using a nonrebreathing face mask. –If the patient is having a seizure, try to prevent further injury. –Be prepared to administer rescue breathing.

Stroke (6 of 6) Treatment (cont’d) –Place an unresponsive patient in the recovery position. –Provide psychological support by talking to and touching the patient. –Some patients can be treated with drugs to dissolve the blood clot in their brain. –Arrange for prompt transport.

Diabetes (1 of 8) Caused by the body’s inability to process and use glucose The body produces insulin, which enables glucose to move into individual cells. –If the body does not produce enough insulin, the cells become “starved” for sugar and diabetes results.

Diabetes (2 of 8) Insulin shock –Occurs if the body has enough insulin but not enough blood glucose –Signs and symptoms Pale, moist, cool skin Rapid, weak pulse Dizziness or headache Confusion or unconsciousness Sweating

Diabetes (3 of 8) Insulin shock (cont’d) –Signs and symptoms (cont’d) Hunger Rapid onset of symptoms (within minutes) –A person experiencing insulin shock may appear to be drunk. –If the patient is able to swallow, have him or her eat or drink something sweet.

Diabetes (4 of 8) Insulin shock (cont’d) –If the patient is unconscious, open the airway and assist breathing and circulation. –Do not administer fluids by mouth. –Some EMRs carry a tube of oral glucose gel or tablets that can be placed inside the cheek.

Diabetes (5 of 8) Diabetic coma –Occurs when the body has too much blood glucose and not enough insulin –Signs and symptoms History of diabetes Warm, dry skin Rapid pulse Deep, rapid breathing Fruity odor on the patient’s breath

Diabetes (6 of 8) Diabetic coma (cont’d) –Signs and symptoms (cont’d) Weakness, nausea, and vomiting Increased hunger, thirst, and urination Slow onset of symptoms (days) –Misdiagnosis is common—it is not always easy to distinguish between insulin shock and diabetic coma.

Diabetes (7 of 8)

Diabetes (8 of 8) Diabetic coma (cont’d) –In general, give conscious diabetic patients sugar by mouth and arrange for prompt transport. –If the diabetic patient is unconscious, arrange for prompt transport.

Abdominal Pain (1 of 5) The contents of the abdomen are divided into hollow and solid structures. –Hollow structures are really tubes through which contents pass. –Solids structures produce substances. Abdominal pain is a common complaint.

Abdominal Pain (2 of 5) Acute abdomen –Caused by irritation of the abdominal wall –May result from infection or the presence of blood in the abdominal cavity –Pain can be referred to other parts of the body. –The abdomen may feel as hard as a board. –Patients may have nausea and vomiting, fever, and diarrhea as well as pain.

Abdominal Pain (3 of 5) Some patients will vomit blood because they are bleeding from the esophagus or stomach. If a patient has abdominal pain: –Monitor vital signs. –Treat symptoms of shock. –Keep the patient comfortable. –Arrange for transport.

Abdominal Pain (4 of 5) Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) –One cause of acute abdomen –Occurs when one or more layers of the aorta become weakened and separate from other layers of the aorta –Risk factors: diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heavy smoking

Abdominal Pain (5 of 5) Treatment for AAA –Place the patient in a comfortable position. –Treat the patient for shock. –Handle these patients gently. –Arrange for prompt transport.

Kidney Dialysis Patients (1 of 3) People with certain types of kidney disease are unable to filter waste products from their bloodstream. Many patients with chronic renal failure must undergo hemodialysis. –The patient’s blood passes through a machine that filters out the waste products and returns the cleansed blood to the patient.

Kidney Dialysis Patients (2 of 3) Hemodialysis (cont’d) –Most hemodialysis patients have a shunt implanted in their arm or leg. –A shunt is a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein. –If the patient has a shunt, take the patient’s blood pressure in the arm without the shunt.

Kidney Dialysis Patients (3 of 3) Patients may experience emergencies related to their dialysis treatment. –Low blood pressure due to the changes in their body –Shock due to decreased blood pressure –Internal bleeding –Abnormal levels of electrolytes, which can cause cardiac arhythmias

Summary (1 of 3) General medical conditions may have different causes, yet result in similar signs and symptoms. Usually, it is best to collect a medical history on the patient experiencing a medical problem before you perform a physical examination.

Summary (2 of 3) Altered mental status is a sudden or gradual decrease in the patient’s level of responsiveness. When assessing altered mental status in a patient, use the AVPU scale. Seizures are caused by sudden episodes of uncontrolled electrical impulses in the brain.

Summary (3 of 3) Specific medical conditions include angina pectoris, heart attack, congestive heart failure, dyspnea, stroke, insulin shock, diabetic coma, and abdominal pain.

Review 1.Signs and symptoms of stroke include all of the following EXCEPT: A.numbness or paralysis. B.high fever. C.drooling. D.unequal pupil size.

Review Answer: B. high fever.

Review 2.Which of the following actions would NOT be appropriate when managing a patient who is suffering a heart attack? A.Place the patient in the most comfortable position. B.Administer oxygen if it is available. C.Be prepared to administer CPR. D.Move the patient as quickly as possible to the ambulance for transport.

Review Answer: D.Move the patient as quickly as possible to the ambulance for transport.

Review 3.Insulin shock occurs when a patient: A.consumes too many high-fat foods. B.has enough insulin but not enough blood glucose. C.suffers severe dehydration. D.has too much blood glucose and not enough insulin.

Review Answer: B.has enough insulin but not enough blood glucose.

Credits Background slide image (ambulance): © Comstock Images/Alamy Images Background slide images (non-ambulance): © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS.