Chapter 17 Emergency Procedures
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.2 Protecting the Airway Airway –Structure through which air enters and leaves the body –Must be open to take oxygen into the body –Lower airway extends from the back of the throat into the lungs
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.3 Protecting the Airway Patient may be unable to breathe if there is a blockage in the lower airway Most common cause of obstruction is the tongue falling into the back of the throat
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.4 Protecting the Airway An oral or nasal airway keeps the tongue from blocking the throat Food and other foreign objects may also block the lower airway
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.5 Maintain the Patient’s Breathing Respiratory failure occurs when breathing is insufficient to sustain life Respiratory arrest occurs when breathing stops Abnormal respirations are often a warning of an impending crisis
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.6 Maintain the Patient’s Breathing Head tilt –Chin lift maneuver is the most common method of opening the airway Jaw thrust maneuver –Opens airway of patients with known or suspected neck injuries
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.7 Maintain the Patient’s Breathing Once airway is opened, it may be necessary to insert an oral airway, or suction
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.8 Choking One or both hands at the throat is the universal distress sign for choking If you see the universal distress sign, ask if the patient can speak
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.9 Choking If so, stay and call for help –Encourage patient to cough up object If the patient cannot speak, quickly perform the obstructed airway procedure
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.10 Mouth to Mask Resuscitation Mouth to mouth ventilation is a technique of breathing for the patient. Various adjunctive devices are used to prevent mouth contact with a patient –An adjunct is a secondary device used to maintain respirations
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.11 Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitation Bag valve mask is commonly used for ventilation Use this device only if you are qualified Two rescuers are recommended for effective use of the bag valve mask
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.12 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Cardiac arrest –Heart stops beating Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) –Used to save the life of a patient whose heart has stopped beating
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.13 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Start CPR immediately –If you don’t know when the cardiac arrest began, begin CPR anyway
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.14 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation For CPR to be effective, the patient’s upper torso must be on a firm surface Health care facilities have emergency back boards for this purpose
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.15 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Many low air loss beds have a valve that deflates the mattress in the event of a code –Provides a firm surface on which to do CPR
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.16 The Crash Cart and Defibrillator Crash cart contains supplies for emergency procedures Defibrillation delivers an electrical shock to restore heart rhythm –Do not touch the patient, bed, or supplies attached to the patient
Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.17 Post Resuscitation Care Post resuscitation care is given to a successfully resuscitated patient Patient will continue to be in critical, unstable condition for a period of time –Cardiac arrest may recur