Critical Care Paramedic (Kyle
Faudree's Flight Paramedic
Certification) Study Guide
Hyperthyroidism/Grave's Disease/Thyrotoxicosis/"Thyroid Storm" (pg.111) - ANSPatient
presents with weight loss, palpitations, nervousness, heat intolerance
Exophthalmos (AKA proptosis) 'bulging of the eye'
AVOID Aspirin (ASA) - Prevents binding of thyroglobulin, making the situation worse
Treatment: IV Fluids 1st, Beta Blockers (Propanolol), Steroids (Dexamethasone), and
Tylenol for fever.
Septic Shock (pg.113) - ANSSomeone who is in shock second degree to sepsis (infection in
the bloodstream)
Hypotensive with normal HR
Hypotensive while being refractory to fluids
Patient needs IV fluid therapy and vasopressors
Levophed (Norepinephrine) is vasopressor of choice in profound hypotension
Do not use Etomidate in RSI (due to its adrenal suppression) *Also do not use Etomidate in
Addison's Disease also due to the adrenal suppression
Pancreatitis (pg.113) - ANSPain that is usually centered in the upper middle or upper left
abdomen. Often radiates from the front of the abdomen through to the back, begins or
worsens after eating, lasts a few days, and may feel worse when a person lies flat on their
back.
The digestive enzymes in the pancreas are destroying the pancreas.
Increased lipase levels (usually >3x normal)
*Amylase may also be increased but Faudree did not preface this in his study guide notes.
Demerol for pain (b/c Morphine has the ability to cause spasms of the Sphincter of Oddi)
Typically requires surgical intervention.
, Grey Turner's Sign (pg.113) - ANSFlank ecchymosis caused by hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Cullen's Sign (pg. 113) - ANSPeriumbilical ecchymosis caused by hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Hypothyroidism/Myxedema Coma (pg. 112) - ANSPatient presents with fatigue, cold
intolerance, weight gain, puffy eyelids, sparse hair, possibly goiter.
Primarily occurs in women.
>90% cases in winter (b/c the patient has cold intolerance and is not suffering from
hypothermia)
Officially Myxedema Coma upon changes in LOC.
Treatment: Levothyroxine (Synthroid) (T4) or Triostat (T3) IV
Cushing's Syndrome (pg.112) - ANSBuffalo hump, moon face, thin arms and legs, purple
striae on abdomen.
Causes: Excessive use of corticosteroids (Iatrogenic, from corticosteroid treatment(s)) or
Tumor
Treatment: Usually resolves when corticosteroids are stopped or tumor is removed.
Adrenal Insufficiency/Adrenal Crisis (pg. 112) - ANSAlso known as (AKA): Addison's Disease
Patient presents with depression, malaise, salt craving, and bronze colored skin like JFK.
Treatment: Oral steroids (Prednisone)
Negative Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) testing, also known as corticotropin or
cosyntropin test.
No Etomidate in RSI due to adrenal suppression.
Laboratory Values Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP or CHEM7) (pg.106) - ANSSodium (Na+)
Primary Extracellular Cation: 135-145 mEq/L [Helps nerves and muscles interact]
Potassium (K+) Primary Intracellular Cation: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L MOST DANGEROUS
ABNORMALITY
[Responsible for cell excitability, resting membrane potential]
Chloride (Cl-) Extracellular Anion 95-105 mEq/L [Maintains osmotic pressure, and helps the
stomach produce HCl or Hydrochloric Acid]
Carbon Dioxide (CO2 gas) 22-26 mEq/L
[Acid Base Balance contributor]
Faudree's Flight Paramedic
Certification) Study Guide
Hyperthyroidism/Grave's Disease/Thyrotoxicosis/"Thyroid Storm" (pg.111) - ANSPatient
presents with weight loss, palpitations, nervousness, heat intolerance
Exophthalmos (AKA proptosis) 'bulging of the eye'
AVOID Aspirin (ASA) - Prevents binding of thyroglobulin, making the situation worse
Treatment: IV Fluids 1st, Beta Blockers (Propanolol), Steroids (Dexamethasone), and
Tylenol for fever.
Septic Shock (pg.113) - ANSSomeone who is in shock second degree to sepsis (infection in
the bloodstream)
Hypotensive with normal HR
Hypotensive while being refractory to fluids
Patient needs IV fluid therapy and vasopressors
Levophed (Norepinephrine) is vasopressor of choice in profound hypotension
Do not use Etomidate in RSI (due to its adrenal suppression) *Also do not use Etomidate in
Addison's Disease also due to the adrenal suppression
Pancreatitis (pg.113) - ANSPain that is usually centered in the upper middle or upper left
abdomen. Often radiates from the front of the abdomen through to the back, begins or
worsens after eating, lasts a few days, and may feel worse when a person lies flat on their
back.
The digestive enzymes in the pancreas are destroying the pancreas.
Increased lipase levels (usually >3x normal)
*Amylase may also be increased but Faudree did not preface this in his study guide notes.
Demerol for pain (b/c Morphine has the ability to cause spasms of the Sphincter of Oddi)
Typically requires surgical intervention.
, Grey Turner's Sign (pg.113) - ANSFlank ecchymosis caused by hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Cullen's Sign (pg. 113) - ANSPeriumbilical ecchymosis caused by hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Hypothyroidism/Myxedema Coma (pg. 112) - ANSPatient presents with fatigue, cold
intolerance, weight gain, puffy eyelids, sparse hair, possibly goiter.
Primarily occurs in women.
>90% cases in winter (b/c the patient has cold intolerance and is not suffering from
hypothermia)
Officially Myxedema Coma upon changes in LOC.
Treatment: Levothyroxine (Synthroid) (T4) or Triostat (T3) IV
Cushing's Syndrome (pg.112) - ANSBuffalo hump, moon face, thin arms and legs, purple
striae on abdomen.
Causes: Excessive use of corticosteroids (Iatrogenic, from corticosteroid treatment(s)) or
Tumor
Treatment: Usually resolves when corticosteroids are stopped or tumor is removed.
Adrenal Insufficiency/Adrenal Crisis (pg. 112) - ANSAlso known as (AKA): Addison's Disease
Patient presents with depression, malaise, salt craving, and bronze colored skin like JFK.
Treatment: Oral steroids (Prednisone)
Negative Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) testing, also known as corticotropin or
cosyntropin test.
No Etomidate in RSI due to adrenal suppression.
Laboratory Values Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP or CHEM7) (pg.106) - ANSSodium (Na+)
Primary Extracellular Cation: 135-145 mEq/L [Helps nerves and muscles interact]
Potassium (K+) Primary Intracellular Cation: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L MOST DANGEROUS
ABNORMALITY
[Responsible for cell excitability, resting membrane potential]
Chloride (Cl-) Extracellular Anion 95-105 mEq/L [Maintains osmotic pressure, and helps the
stomach produce HCl or Hydrochloric Acid]
Carbon Dioxide (CO2 gas) 22-26 mEq/L
[Acid Base Balance contributor]
