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Chapter 13: Medical EmergenciesChanges in ConsciousnessThe mnemonic STOP offers clues when you notice changes in consciousness and you are not sure what is causing itS: Sugar, seizures, stroke, and shockT: TemperatureO: OxygenP: Poisoning or pressure on brainChest PainHeart Attack: occurs when the oxygen-rich blood supply to part of the heart is blockedTo care for chest pain associated with a heart attack:Call 9-1-1Have the victim restGive nitroglycerin if prescribedGive 4 chewable aspirin or one regular aspirinRespiratory InfectionPneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy, cough, fever, and a sore throat can also cause chest painBreathing DifficultyAsthma: condition in which air passages narrow and mucus builds up, resulting in poor oxygen exchangeTriggered by allergy, cold exposure, and smokeHyperventilation: fast breathing which can be cause by emotional stress, anxiety, and medical conditionsRecognizing Breathing DifficultyBreathing that is abnormally fast or slowBreathing that is abnormally deep or shallowNoisy breathing including wheezing or gurgling crowing or snoring soundsBluish lipsNeed to pause while speaking to catch breathCare for Breathing DifficultyHelp the victim into the most comfortable position, usually seated uprightCall 9-1-1Assist with inhaler if prescribedIf hyperventilating have them inhale through nose, hold breath and exhale slowlyFaintingFainting can happen suddenly when blood flow to the brain is interruptedRecognizing FaintingSudden, brief unresponsivenessPale skinSweatingCare for FaintingCheck responsiveness and breathing and provide care as neededLoosen any restrictive clothingIf the victim fell, check for injuriesSeizuresSeizure: results from an abnormal stimulation of the brain’s cellsCauses can lead to seizures:EpilepsyHeatstrokePoisoningElectric shockHypoglycemiaHigh feverBrain injury, tumor, or strokeAlcohol or other drug withdrawal or abuseRecognizing a seizureSudden fallingUnresponsivenessRigid body and arching of the backJerky muscle movementCare for a seizurePrevent injury by moving away any dangerous objectsLoosen any restrictive clothingRoll the victim onto his or her side to help keep the airway clearCall 9-1-1 for seizures occurring for no known reasonDiabetic EmergenciesDiabetes results when the body fails to produce sufficient amounts of insulinType 1: People with type 1 require external insulin to allow glucose to pass from the blood into cellsType 2: People with type 2 may not be dependent on external insulin to allow glucose into cells and may take only oral medication to help control the diseaseRecognizing Low Blood GlucoseHypoglycemia: very low blood glucose can be cause by too much insulin, too little food intake, exercise, or illnessSigns of low blood glucoseSudden onset of symptomsStaggering, poor coordinationAnger, bad temperPale skinConfusion, disorientationSudden hungerExcessive sweatingTremblingSeizureUnresponsivenessCare for low blood glucoseGive sugarIf no improvement call 9-1-1Recognizing High Blood GlucoseHyperglycemia: occurs when the body has too much glucose in the blood but is unable to get it to the cellsCaused by insufficient insulin, overeating, inactivity, illness or stressSigns of high blood glucoseGradual onset of symptomsDrowsinessExtreme thirstVery frequent urination Warm and dry skinVomitingFruity, sweet breath odorRapid breathingUnresponsivenessCare for High Blood GlucoseProvide care for low blood glucose if uncertainNo improvements, call 9-1-1Emergency during PregnancySigns of emergenciesVaginal bleedingCramps in the lower abdomenSwelling of hands, feet, or faceSevere continuous headacheDizziness or faintingBlurring of vision or seeing spotsUncontrollable vomitingCare for Pregnancy EmergenciesKeep her warm and on her left sideUse a sanitary napkin for bleedingSave blood-soaked pass for medical careSeek medical careChapter 13: Medical EmergenciesChanges in ConsciousnessThe mnemonic STOP offers clues when you notice changes in consciousness and you are not sure what is causing itS: ____________________________________________T: TemperatureO: ____________________________________________P: Poisoning or pressure on brainChest PainHeart Attack: occurs when the oxygen-rich blood supply to part of the heart is blockedTo care for chest pain associated with a heart attack:Call 9-1-1____________________________________________Give nitroglycerin if prescribedGive 4 chewable aspirin or one regular aspirinRespiratory InfectionPneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy, cough, fever, and a sore throat can also cause chest painBreathing DifficultyAsthma: condition in which air passages narrow and mucus builds up, resulting in poor oxygen exchangeTriggered ____________________________________________Hyperventilation: fast breathing which can be cause by emotional stress, anxiety, and medical conditionsRecognizing Breathing DifficultyBreathing that is abnormally fast or slow____________________________________________Noisy breathing including wheezing or gurgling crowing or snoring sounds____________________________________________Need to pause while speaking to catch breathCare for Breathing DifficultyHelp the victim into the most comfortable position, usually seated upright________________________________________________________________________________________If hyperventilating have them inhale through nose, hold breath and exhale slowlyFaintingFainting can happen suddenly when blood flow to the brain is interruptedRecognizing FaintingSudden, brief unresponsiveness____________________________________________SweatingCare for FaintingCheck responsiveness and breathing and provide care as needed____________________________________________If the victim fell, check for injuriesSeizuresSeizure: results from an abnormal stimulation of the brain’s cellsCauses can lead to seizures:____________________________________________Heatstroke____________________________________________Electric shockHypoglycemia____________________________________________Brain injury, tumor, or strokeAlcohol or other drug withdrawal or abuseRecognizing a seizureSudden falling____________________________________________Rigid body and arching of the backJerky muscle movementCare for a seizurePrevent injury by moving away any dangerous objectsLoosen any restrictive clothing____________________________________________Call 9-1-1 for seizures occurring for no known reasonDiabetic EmergenciesDiabetes results when the body fails to produce sufficient amounts of insulinType 1: People with type 1 require external insulin to allow glucose to pass from the blood into cellsType 2: People with type 2 may not be dependent on external insulin to allow glucose into cells and may take only oral medication to help control the diseaseRecognizing Low Blood GlucoseHypoglycemia: very low blood glucose can be cause by too much insulin, too little food intake, exercise, or illnessSigns of low blood glucoseSudden onset of symptomsStaggering, poor coordination____________________________________________Pale skinConfusion, disorientation____________________________________________Excessive sweating____________________________________________SeizureUnresponsivenessCare for low blood glucose____________________________________________If no improvement call 9-1-1Recognizing High Blood GlucoseHyperglycemia: occurs when the body has too much glucose in the blood but is unable to get it to the cellsCaused by insufficient insulin, overeating, inactivity, illness or stressSigns of high blood glucoseGradual onset of symptomsDrowsiness____________________________________________Very frequent urination Warm and dry skin____________________________________________Fruity, sweet breath odor____________________________________________UnresponsivenessCare for High Blood GlucoseProvide care for low blood glucose if uncertainNo improvements, call 9-1-1Emergency during PregnancySigns of emergenciesVaginal bleedingCramps in the lower abdomenSwelling of hands, feet, or faceSevere continuous headacheDizziness or faintingBlurring of vision or seeing spotsUncontrollable vomitingCare for Pregnancy EmergenciesKeep her warm and on her left sideUse a sanitary napkin for bleedingSave blood-soaked pass for medical careSeek medical care ................
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