Medical Emergencies

EMT 100

Heart Attack – Myocardial Infarction

Atherosclerosis – plaque buildup & thrombosis

Signs & Symptoms Chest pain

Constant pressure May radiate

Signs of shock Denial Feeling of impending

doom

Angina Pectoris Signs & symptoms without

permanent damage to myocardium

“practice heart attack” Signs & symptoms usually

start to improve after a few minutes of rest

If in doubt, consider it a heart attack

Treatment Have patient rest

Sitting position Loosen clothing around

neck

Pain meds ACTIVATE EMS!

Stroke – Brain Attack

Atherosclerosis is again the major cause!

Vessel(s) become occluded due to plaque buildup or thrombosis

Or, brittle vessels rupture

Signs & Symptoms(like a head injury)

Treatment If conscious and good

airway control: Rest in a sitting position Reassure Activate EMS

If unconscious or poor airway: Recovery position with

weak/paralyzed side down Reassure Activate EMS

Diabetes – poor utilization/regulation of blood

sugar (glucose)

Problem is with insulin utilization and production

Complications: high blood sugar(Diabetic Coma)

Too much carbohydrate intake or not enough insulin and/or other meds

Develops gradually May be how patient is

initially diagnosed

Maintain ABC’s and activate EMS

Complications: low blood sugar(Insulin Shock)

Too much insulin/other meds or too little carbohydrate intake

Develops very rapidly Can be very damaging to

brain cells

If conscious, give sugarUnconscious-ABC’s and EMS

Asthma – transient inflammation of the airways

Often triggered by allergy Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing Wheezing Coughing

Treatment Have patient sit up and

rest Get patient’s meds If not responding, activate

EMS

Hyperventilation – exhaling too much CO2

May be caused by physical or emotional stress

Patient complains of: Inability to catch breath Tightness in chest Tingly sensation in hands

and feet Lightheaded/dizzy May lose consciousness

Have patient slow breathing by coaching them

Medical direction may have them “rebreathe”

May need EMS

Grand Mal Seizures (Tonic-Clonic)

Head injury Stroke Brain lesion Infection High temperature (febrile) Electrolyte imbalance Hypoglycemia Sleep deprivation Hypoxia Epileptogenic tissue (Epilepsy)

Grand Mal Seizure Phases

TonicClonicPostictal - dazed and confused - incontinence - N & V

Treatment during seizure

Tonic phase: Help down if possible Nothing else! Do not force anything in patient’s mouth!

Clonic phase If jerking not too severe, place patient on side Prevent injury – move objects or pad the area Never try to restrain the movements!

Postictal ABC’s Reassure EMS if clonic goes back to tonic

Drug OD Maintain ABC’s Activate EMS Watch your back!

Communicable (Infectious) Diseases

Diseases caused by microbes, ie bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungus,

etc

Transmission: Direct Contact

Body fluids

Transmission: Indirect Contact

People or objects who come in contact with microbe and then spread

it to others

Transmission: Droplets (Airborne)

Coughs, Sneezes, etc

Prevention and Protection Frequent handwashing Barriers

Gloves Mask Eyewear Gowns

Don’t reuse anything between patients without cleaning or replacing

Maintain your own health Rest Exercise Nutrition Immunizations!

Let’s hit the lab!