Vital Signs and Medical Emergencies Homeostasis, mechanisms that we use to evaluate vital signs 1

Vital Signs HOMEOSTASIS 2

A CONSTANCY IN THE INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE BODY 3

HOMEOSTASIS  Primary mechanisms: Heartbeat Blood pressure Body temperature Respiratory rate Sensorium 4

Heart Rate (Pulse) Adult –60 to 100 beats per minute Children under 10 –70 to 120 beats per minute 5

Heart Rate (Pulse) Radial artery Brachial Carotid artery Apical pulses 6

Blood Pressure Measure of the force exerted by blood on the arterial walls during contraction & relaxation. Measured pressure when the heart is relaxed: Diastolic Measured pressure when the heart is contracted: Systolic Measured with a Sphygmomanometer 7

Blood Pressure Recorded in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) with systolic over diastolic Normal adult systolic: mm Hg Normal adult diastolic: mm Hg 120/80 mmHg considered normal 8

Abnormalities of Blood Pressure Hypertension –Persistently elevation –above 140/90 mmHg Hypotension –Persistently less –than 95/60 mmHg 9

Breathes per minute Normal Values: –Adults: 12 – 20 bpm –Children: 20 – 30 bpm –Newborns: 30 – 60 bpm Respiratory Rate 10

Know normal values Respiratory System delivers oxygen to the body’s tissues and eliminates carbon dioxide 11

Pulse Oximeter Normal Pulse Oximeter = 95% to 100% 12

Ventilators Nasal Cannula Oxyhood Masks Methods of Delivering Oxygen 13

Abnormalities of Respiratory Rate Tachypnea –Greater than 20 breaths per minute (adult) Bradypnea – decrease is breathing Dyspnea- difficulty breathing Apnea- no breathing 14

SENSORIUM-MENTAL ALERTNESS ELECTROLYTE BALANCE ALTERED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS SENSORIUM-MENTAL ALERTNESS 15

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Medical Emergencies 17

Medical Emergencies Major Emergency –Remain calm –Know your role –Be prepared –Seen mostly in the ER Minor Emergency –Remain calm –Know your role –Be prepared –Most common in x-ray department 18

TRAUMA- X-RAY READY 19

SPINAL INJURY PT 20

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X-TABLE LATERAL CERVICAL SPINE 22

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Dislocation of the C3 and C4 articular processes Note that C7 is not well demonstrated 24

Some studies of spinal trauma have recorded a missed injury rate as high as 33%. 25

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GSW TO ABD 27

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General Priorities 1.Ensure an open airway (ABC’s) 2.Control Bleeding 3.Take Measures to Prevent shock 4. Attend to wounds or fractures 5.Provide emotional support 6. Continually reevaluate and follow up 29

Fractured Forearm 30

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Trauma and Surgical Radiography 33

Major Medical Emergencies 1.ALOC 2.Shock 3.Anaphylactic shock 4.Diabetic Crisis 5.Respiratory Distress 6.Cardiac Arrest 7.Cerebrovascular accident 34

Emergency Cart (crash cart) Know where it is in your department Familiarize yourself with its contents –Have BLS with AED training Have one in the room when an iodinated contrast media will be used 35

Head Injuries Levels of consciousness 1.Least severe –Responsive 2.More serious –Can be roused, but drowsy 3.Even more serious –Responds to pinches or pinpricks 4.Most serious –Comatose, non-responsive 36

Shock Hypovolemic –Loss of blood or tissue Cardiogenic –Cardiac disorders Neurogenic –Spinal anesthesia or damage to spinal cord Vasogenic –Caused by sepsis, deep anesthesia or anaphylaxis 37

Anaphylactic Shock An allergic reaction to contrast media –Iodinated Can happen quickly or have a delayed reaction –Requires prompt recognition and treatment from the technologist –More severe usually have quick onset –Less severe takes longer for reaction 38

Diabetic Crisis 1.Hypoglycemia 2.Hyperglycemia 39

Hypoglycemia Excessive insulin- low blood sugar Can result from normal dose of insulin & no food Need carbohydrate 40

Hyperglycemia Excessive sugar- low insulin Usually seen in diabetics Pt. needs insulin 41

Respiratory Distress Asthma Choking 42

Asthma 1.Stressful situations 2.Inhaler or medical assistance 3.Remain calm and confident 43

Choking 1.Cannot speak 2.Universal distress signal 3.Encourage to cough 4.Heimlich Maneuver 44

Cardiac Arrest Crushing pain in chest Pain down arm Begin CPR and use AED 45

Cerebrovascular Accident Paralysis on one or both sides Slurred or loss of speech Dizziness Loss of vision Complete unconsciousness 46

Nausea and Vomiting Tell patient to breath deeply and slowly Turn on side if possible or turn head Get emesis basin and moist cloths 47

Radiologic Technology You never know when a medical emergency may occur. Helping your patients depends on your abilities to stay calm and perform you duties!