Professional Documents
Culture Documents
43-2
Learning Outcomes
43.1 43.2 Discuss the importance of first aid during a medical emergency. Describe the purpose of the emergency medical services (EMS) system and explain how to contact it. List items found on a crash cart or first-aid tray. List general guidelines to follow in emergencies.
43.3 43.4
43-3
Learning Outcomes
(cont.)
43-4
Learning Outcomes
(cont.)
43.10 Explain how to calm a patient who is under extreme stress. 43.11 Discuss ways to educate patients about ways to prevent and respond to emergencies. 43.12 Describe your role in responding to natural disasters and those caused by humans.
43-5
Introduction
Emergencies
Acute
Phone
calls
from illnesses patients with urgent problems Acute injuries The medical assistant must be prepared to determine the urgency and handle any Disasters emergencies that arise
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
43-6
Any situation in which a person becomes ill or sustains an injury requiring immediate care Prompt action may prevent disability or death Can occur within or outside the health-care setting
43-7
Patient education
43-8
43-9
Police
Poison control
43-10
Your name and location Nature of the emergency Number of people needing help
43-11
cart / tray
Basic
drugs, supplies, and equipment for medical emergencies kit for minor injuries and ailments
First-aid
Must
43-12
Patient emergencies
PPE
Assess patient
2.
3.
Level of responsiveness
Assess ABCs
43-13
Telephone emergencies
Triaging
Classification of injuries according to severity, urgency of treatment, and place for treatment Follow office protocols
General guidelines
43-14
Personal protection
Take precautions to reduce chance of exposure during an emergency Follow Standard Precautions
43-15
Documentation
Assessment Treatment given Patient response If patient transported, location of facility Date, time Signature, credentials
43-16
Correct!
ANSWER: The steps of the initial assessment are: 1. Form a general impression of the patient 2. Determine the patients level of responsiveness 3. Assess ABCs 4. Determine the urgency of condition 5. Perform a focused exam (head to toe); vital signs; skin color 6. Document findings / report to physician or EMT
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
43-17
Accidental Injuries
Bites and stings Burns Choking Ear and eye traumas Falls and fractures Head injuries
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
43-18
Accidental Injuries:
Bites and Stings
Snake bites
Animal bites
Poisonous bite will need antivenin Immobilize and position below heart
Bruise, tear, or puncture Cleanse wound, apply ointment, and dry, sterile dressing
Spider bites
Refer patient to physician Wash area, apply ice, and keep below heart level
Insect stings
43-19
Thermal
Chemical
Remove chemical Wash with cool water for 15 minutes Cover with dry, sterile dressing
Electrical
43-20
of burns
Categories
Minor
Moderate Major
determined by
and extent of burn of burn
area
Source Age
Body
Other
43-21
of burns
depth
Estimation
Rule
of extent of a burn
of nines
43-22
Medical assistants should know first aid for choking adult, child, or infant!
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
43-23
Ear trauma
Lacerations, cuts Severed ear wrap ear and transport with patient
Falls
Have patient examined before moving Stabilize neck if injury suspected Minor falls, notify the physician; document
Eye trauma
43-24
Treatment
43-25
Patient may lose consciousness, have temporary loss of vision, pallor, listlessness, memory loss, or vomiting
Scalp hematoma and laceration blood under the skin or break in the skin
43-26
Internal
Keep
External
Use
direct pressure, apply additional dressing as needed Elevate body part, put pressure on nearest pressure point between wound and heart
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
43-27
Often the result of automobile accident or fall Assess ABCs, perform CPR if needed
Only perform first aid after ABCs ensured Treat most life-threatening injuries first
43-28
Majority of accidental poisonings happen in children under age 5 Post poison control center number Patient education prevention
43-29
poisons
induce vomiting if directed Position patient on left side Send poison container with patient
Absorbed
Remove
poisons
contaminated
Inhaled
Get
poisons
43-30
Hypothermia
Heat stroke
Body temperature below 95 Move patient inside, cover with blankets, give warm liquids Ice crystals form between tissue cells Warm with clothing or other body part
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity Move to cool place, cool with whatever is available Soak in cool water, cold compresses
Frostbite
Sunburn
43-31
Amputations
Elevate extremity
Abrasion
Punctures
43-32
Injury occurring inside the body without breaking the skin Caused by blunt trauma
Contusions bruises
Cold
compresses
changes are normal
Color
43-33
Yeah!
1. What is the universal sign of choking? ANSWER: The patient holds his hand to his throat and looks afraid.
2. A patient arrives at the clinic with severe
hemorrhaging from the left thigh. What steps should you take to control the bleeding?
ANSWER: The steps are: 1. Apply direct pressure with sterile gauze 2. Add additional dressing as necessary 3. Elevate the leg 4. Apply pressure to the left femoral artery
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
43-34
Common Illnesses
43-35
Fainting syncope: partial or complete loss of consciousness Fever usually indicates infection
43-36
ANSWER:
A. Nosebleed B. Fainting
___ C. Dehydration F Spasmodic narrowing of bronchi E Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance D. Tachycardia ___
___ A Epistaxis G Rapid and deep breathing ___ C Lack of adequate water ___ E. Diarrhea / vomiting F. Asthma G. Hyperventilation
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
43-37
Anaphylaxis
43-38
(cont.)
Gallbladder attack
Hematemesis vomiting
blood
protocols
Myocardial infarction Chest pain cardinal symptom Cardiac arrest ventricular fibrillation
Respiratory arrest
43-39
(cont.)
Seizures
Stroke cerebrovascular
Shock
Viral encephalitis
Septic
43-40
CPR
Provides ventilation and circulation for an arrest victim Assess responsiveness, call EMS (911)
Assess ABCs
If available, connect patient to the automated external defibrillator (AED)
Start CPR
43-41
C. Seizures
___ A Impaired blood supply to brain D. Hematemesis ___ C Convulsions E. Shock F. Heart attack
U P E R !
43-42
Violent behavior
Overdose on drugs
43-43
Suicide
Rape
Allow patient to verbalize Report suspicions to physician Always take patient seriously
Provide privacy Contact authorities and local rape hotline Follow protocol for chain of custody of specimens
43-44
43-45
Challenges
Detect stress
43-46
43-47
ANSWER:
___ F Challenges to dealing with patients during an emergency include visual and hearing impairments and Englishspeaking people. nonT Patients should be instructed how to prevent emergencies. ___
___ F It is not important to keep the victim of an emergency calm.
Very Good!
43-48
Disasters
Be familiar with standard protocols for responding to disasters Participate in fire or other disaster drills to familiarize yourself with emergency procedures Triage victims are tagged to classify the victim
43-49
Disasters (cont.)
Weather-related
Office fires
Activate alarm system Fire extinguisher Turn off oxygen Close windows and doors Evacuate
43-50
Bioterrorism
Intentional release of a biologic agent with the intent to harm individuals Biologic agent = weapon
Easy to disseminate High potential for mortality Cause public panic or social disruption Requires public health preparedness
43-51
Bioterrorism (cont.)
Notify local public health department of suspected cases Follow state and national guidelines
43-52
ANSWER: They are: emergent needing immediate care; urgent needing care within several hours; nonurgent needing care when time is not critical, or dead
2. What criteria does a biologic agent have to meet to be
a biological weapon?
ANSWER: It must be easy to disseminate, have a high potential for mortality, cause public panic, and require public health preparedness.
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
43-53
In Summary
Notify physician or EMS Do not perform procedures out of your scope of practice Assess and provide first aid Remain calm and communicate clearly Educate patients about how to prevent and respond to emergencies
43-54
End of Chapter
In the sick room, ten cents' worth of human understanding equals ten dollars' worth of medical science.
~ Martin H. Fischer