Levisons Dental Nursing Medical Emergencies Summary

Medical Emergencies
Heart Conditions- Abnormality of the heart
Hypertension- High blood pressure
Liver/Kidney Disorders- Liver/ kidney not functioning due to disease
Diabetes- Failure to take medication> Hypoglycaemia attack. Por wound
healing & more prone to infection
Allergies- Latex, penicillin etc
Medications Reacting with Anaesthetic- Antidepressants, thyroxine etc
Medication Causing Hypertension- Contraceptives, HRT


Long term- Steroidal Treatment: Suppresses production of hormones, stress
results in shock and fatal drop in blood pressure
Begin BLS- Patient unconscious or abnormal breathing
Signs of Abnormality- Increased respiration/ heart rate or falling blood
pressure
ABCDE Approach- Aim is to maintain O2 levels:
 Airway
 Breathing
 Circulation
 Disability
 Exposure


If patient unconscious- DRSABC:
 DANGER
 RESPONSE (ACVPU)
 SHOUT FOR HELP
 AIRWAY
 BREATHING
 CIRCULATION
Rescue Breaths- 30 Compressions: 2 breaths ratio