West Coast EMT Block 3 Study Guide Exam With Complete Solutions!!

Medical Assessment Steps - ANSWER -1) Scene Size up: PENMAN 2) Primary Survey/Resuscitation: General impression, Consciousness (AVPU), Chief complaint, ABC management 3) History Taking: OPQRST/SAMPLE 4) Secondary Assessment: Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Neurological, Musculoskeletal, Integumentary, GI/GU, Reproductive, Psychological, Social 5) Vital Signs: BP, pulse, respiratory rate and quality, field impression of patient, interventions/treatment 6) Reassessment: Verbal reports/Radio reports O2 administration cheat sheet - ANSWER -1) Nasal Cannula: Normal/Regular breathing (1-6 liters/min) - Pattern and rate 2) Non-Rebreathable: Normal/Regular breathing (10-15 liters/min, high flow) - Pattern and rate but borderline (10-20 RR) 3) Bag-valve mask: Abnormal/Irregular/Apneic/Absent (15-20 liters/min) - Assist ventilations, artificial ventilations, 8 or 28 breaths/min What part of the brain controls basic bodily functions like blood pressure, breathing, heart rate, swallowing, etc)? - ANSWER -Brain Stem Where does the spinal cord exit the brain? - ANSWER -Foramen magnum TIA (transient ischemic attack) - ANSWER -- A transient ischemic attack which are stroke-like symptoms that resolve on their own in less than 24 hours. - These symptoms occur when blood flow to the brain is obstructed either through atherosclerosis (build-up of calcium and cholesterol in blood vessels) or blood clotting (embolus) Ischemic Stroke - ANSWER -The most common type of strokes caused by a - blockage of blood flow to a particular part of the brain usually by a blood clot inside a blood vessel. Two types of blood clot that may cause the blockage are: - thrombosis (blood clot formed at the site of blockage) embolus (blood clot formed elsewhere and travels to the site of blockage) - atherosclerosis (calcium and cholesterol build up in the blood vessels). Hemorrhagic Stroke - ANSWER -- Occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain. - In this stroke the blood vessels ruptures and the accumulated blood then forms a clot which compresses the brain tissue. - The compression prevents oxygenated blood blood from getting into the area and the brain cells begin to die. Often fatal. - Commonly occurs in people experiencing stress or exertion, high blood pressure or long term untreated elevated blood pressure. Signs and Symptoms of a stroke - ANSWER -- Facial drooping - Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, are, leg, or one side of the body - Lack of muscle coordination or no balance - Sudden vision impairment - Difficulty swallowing and tongue deviation - Speech disorders (Aphasia) - Dysarthria (slurred speech) - Confusion, dizziness, weakness, restlessness - Coma How long should it take for a patient to come out of the postictal state? What is a postictal state? - ANSWER -A postictal state is a period following a seizure in which the seizure episode has ended and the patient starts to regain consciousness and lasts from 5 to 30 minutes (sometimes more). Know the risk factors for a seizure? - ANSWER -- Epileptic ---- Congenital origin - Structural ----- Tumor, Infection, Head trauma, Strok - Metabolic ----- Hypoxia, Abnormal blood chemical values, Hypoglycemia, poisoning, Sudden withdrawal from drugs, alcohol, medication, etc. - Febrile ---- Sudden high fever What is a febrile seizure? - ANSWER -A seizure occurring from a sudden high fever particularly in children. What do we do for a patient who is having a seizure? What do we do once they come out of the seizure? - ANSWER -- Maintain the ABCs - Oxygen administration - Call ALS - Provide oral glucose for hypoglycemia according to the protocol - Medications according to protocol Know what the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke scale is and how we do it? - ANSWER -- Facial droop normal: both sides of the face move equally abnormal: one side of the face does not move at all - Arm drift (ask the patient to close eyes and hold both arms out with palms up) normal: both arms move equally or not at all abnormal: one arm drifts compared to the other - Speech normal: patient uses correct words with no slurring abnormal: slurred or inappropriate words or mute How do we transport a stable stroke patient with a paralyzed