Transcript Chapter 19 Emergencies, Acute Illness, Accidents, and Recovery

CHAPTER
19
Emergencies, Acute
Illness, Accidents, and
Recovery
UNIT
1
Managing Emergencies
in the Medical Office
19 - 2
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Medical Emergencies
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A medical emergency is any situation in
which an individual becomes ill, an
individual is injured, or circumstances
call for decided action.
19 - 3
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Universal Emergency Medical
Identification Symbol
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All patients who have
conditions that could
have emergency
episodes, such as
heart conditions,
diabetes, allergies, or
epilepsy, should be
encouraged to wear an
emergency medical
identification tag.
19 - 4
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Items in an Emergency Kit
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19 - 5
Alcohol wipes
Stethoscope
Penlight
Instant hot and cold packs
Disposable syringes with adrenaline,
narcotics, and antihistamines
Ipecac to induce vomiting
Oxygen tank with a mask
(continued)
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Items in an Emergency Kit
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19 - 6
Spirits of ammonia
Sterile dressings
Paper and pen
Airways of differing sizes
Blood pressure cuff
Bandage materials
Adhesive tape
Bandage scissors
(continued)
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Items in an Emergency Kit
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Glucose
Gloves
Constriction band
IV tubing
Needles
Cardiopulmonary (CPR) supplies
Automated external defibrillator (AED)
19 - 7
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Information Documented in an
Incident Report
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19 - 8
Full name of the injured party
Date and time of accident or injury
Address and phone number of injured
party
Note whether the individual is a patient,
visitor, or staff
Location where the incident occurred
(continued)
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Information Documented in an
Incident Report
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Name, address, and signature of
witnesses
Detailed description of the incident
Any conditions surrounding the incident
Description of all actions taken,
including medications given, name of
the treating physician, and the
disposition of the patient
Signature of person preparing the report
19 - 9
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The Purpose of an AED
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Analyzes heart rhythms
and recognizes a
shockable rhythm
Advises the operator if
a shock is indicated
through lights and
voice prompts
Permits life-saving
intervention without
operator intervention
and evaluation
19 - 10
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Unit Summary

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What information is documented in an
incident report?
If an incident is not documented, what
could happen?
19 - 11
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UNIT
2
Acute Illness
19 - 12
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Responding to an Emergency

Activate emergency medical services
(EMS) if a caller is unable to do so
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19 - 13
Identify the situation
Provide address where the victim is
(continued)
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Responding to an Emergency
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Get critical information from the patient:
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Victim’s name
Caller’s name and phone number
When the problem started
Is the victim conscious, breathing, have a
pulse?
Reassure that EMS is on the way.
Give appropriate, specific instructions.
Try to stay calm and support the caller until
EMS arrives.
19 - 14
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Emergency Situations
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19 - 15
Convulsions
Diabetic coma
Fainting
Heart attack
Heat and cold exposure
Hemorrhage
Poisoning
Respiratory emergencies
(continued)
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Emergency Situations
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Accidental, allergic, and drug-induced
distress
Heart attack
Choking
Spinal cord injury
Shock
Stroke
19 - 16
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Describing the Severity of
a Disease or Disorder
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Chronic
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Long, drawn out
Sudden
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Insidious
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Hidden or not
apparent
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Acute
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Urgent
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Requires
intervention as
soon as possible
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Occurs quickly and
without warning
Rapid onset,
severe symptoms,
and a short course
Severe
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Extensive,
advanced
19 - 17
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“Chain of Events” with a Seizure
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Involuntary contractions of muscles
Patient becomes rigid and then has
uncontrollable body movements
Patient may stop breathing or lose
control of bladder and bowel
19 - 18
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Symptoms of a Heart Attack
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Shortness of breath
Nausea and vomiting
Pain in jaw, neck, shoulder, back or ear
Feelings of intense anxiety
19 - 19
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Difference between Heat Stroke
and Heat Exhaustion
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Heat stroke
causes rapid
pulse, slow deep
respirations, hot,
dry skin, and
temperature over
102°F.
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Heat exhaustion
causes weak and
rapid pulse, quiet
and shallow
respirations, cool
and clammy skin,
sweating, thirst,
nausea, and
vomiting.
19 - 20
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Symptoms of Frostbite
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Pain
Redness
Burning and itching
Loss of sensation
19 - 21
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Characteristics of Bleeding
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Arterial: bright red and spurting
Capillary: oozes and generally stops on
its own
Venous: steady flow of dark red blood
Treat by applying direct pressure and
elevation
19 - 22
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Pressure Points
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Temporal artery
Carotid artery
Subclavian artery
Facial artery
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Brachial artery
Radial artery
Femoral artery
Dorsalis pedis
19 - 23
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Symptoms of Internal Bleeding
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Coughing up or vomiting blood
Abdominal pain
Coal-black stool
Bright red rectal bleeding
19 - 24
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Symptoms of Shock
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Rapid, thready, weak pulse
Shallow, rapid respirations
Dilated pupils
Ashen color
Cool and clammy skin
19 - 25
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Respiratory Emergencies
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Airway obstruction
Asthma
Allergic reactions causing swollen vocal
cords
Drowning
Important!
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Do not try to remove an object stuck in a
victim’s throat.
When the heart stops, do not begin CPR chest
compressions until the airway is open.
19 - 26
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Signs of a Possible Stroke
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Mental confusion
Blurred vision
Nausea
Vomiting
Pupils unequal in size
One side of body is paralyzed
Slurred speech
Loss of bladder and bowel control
19 - 27
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Unit Summary


List critical pieces of information that
must be determined when assessing a
victim during an emergency.
Where should direct pressure be applied
to stop bleeding?
19 - 28
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UNIT
3
First Aid in Accidents
and Injuries
19 - 29
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Evaluating the Severity
of an Illness or Injury
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Get a brief history of the victim’s
situation.
Identify the nature of the illness or injury.
Ask what time the injury or illness
occurred.
Find out the current condition of the
victim.
19 - 30
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Symptoms of an Allergy to Stings
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Shortness of breath
Painful swelling with redness and itching
Headache
Blueness of skin
19 - 31
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Types of Burns
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Thermal
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Chemical
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Fires, automobile accidents, and other
situations involving flames
Contact with acids or alkalines
Electrical
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Contact with faulty wiring or high-voltage
electrical power lines
19 - 32
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Classification of Burns
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First degree
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Second degree
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Superficial burn such as a sunburn
Involves epidermis and part of the dermis;
results in blisters
Third degree
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Involves epidermis, dermis, and
subcutaneous tissue; appears charred
19 - 33
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Removing a Foreign Body
from the Eye
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If the object is visible, remove it with a
moistened cotton or tissue.
If the object is under the eyelid, pull the
upper lid down over the lower lid.
If object is not easily removed, flush with
large amounts of water.
19 - 34
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Removing a Foreign Body
from the Ears
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Tilt the patient’s head toward the
unaffected side.
Pull back on the earlobe.
Place several drops of warm olive oil,
mineral oil, or vegetable oil in the ear
canal.
19 - 35
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First Aid Measures for
Open Fractures
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Control the bleeding.
Immobilize the extremity by splinting.
Avoid moving the bone ends.
Watch for symptoms of shock.
19 - 36
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The Effects of Heat Application
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Decreases pain
Reduces congestion in the deep muscle
layers
Relieves muscle spasm
Dilates blood vessels
Reduces swelling
Increases circulation to the area
19 - 37
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The Effects of Cold Application
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Decreases circulation to the area
Acts as an anesthetic
Lowers body temperature
Relieves inflammation
Controls bleeding
Reduces swelling
19 - 38
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Four Types of Wounds
1.
2.
3.
4.
Abrasion: scrape that results in oozing
Incision: a cut with a clean edge
Laceration: tearing, cut with ragged
edges
Punctures: a hole or wound made with a
pointed object
19 - 39
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Unit Summary
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What four pieces of information are
needed to help you decide the severity of
an illness or injury?
Describe the differences between the
three degrees of burns.
19 - 40
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UNIT
4
Recovering Function
and Mobility
19 - 41
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The Importance of Role-Playing
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Practice role-playing to:
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Appreciate the sense of dependence the
patient feels
Understand the physical constraints
Realize the amount of strength and energy it
takes to recover function and mobility
19 - 42
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When Mobility Equipment Is Indicated
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After accidents or injuries
After surgery
After a stroke
Severe medical conditions
Arthritis
Physical conditions
Age
19 - 43
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Instructions for Range
of Motion Exercises
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Patients are frequently sent to a physical
therapist for treatment and instruction.
The medical assistant may be
responsible for reinforcing the therapist’s
instructions on how to perform the
exercises.
19 - 44
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Assistive Devices
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Canes
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Crutches
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19 - 45
Adjust to proper height for patient.
Demonstrate walking technique.
Axillary, Lofstrand, and platform crutch
types
Adjust to proper height for patient.
Demonstrate different gait patterns.
(continued)
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Assistive Devices
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Walker
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Adjust to proper height for patient.
Demonstrate walking technique.
Wheelchair
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Transfer patients from wheelchair to exam
table, and back.
Enlist help from coworkers.
19 - 46
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Assisting with Mobility
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Be careful when assisting patients to
walk or move around the office.
In the event that the patient faints, slips,
or becomes weak:
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Ease the patient to the floor.
Protect the patient’s head.
Be careful not to injure your own back.
19 - 47
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Unit Summary

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What type of treatment can be used for
patients who cannot engage in strenuous
exercise?
What is the proper height for axillary
crutches?
19 - 48
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Keys to Career Success

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This chapter prepares the medical
assistant to assist in emergency
situations both inside and outside the
medical office.
This training helps ensure prompt
responses with proper treatment for
many first aid and emergency situations.
19 - 49
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Hot Links to Career Success
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www.aaem.org
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www.americanheart.org
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American Academy of Emergency Medicine
American Heart Association
www.redcross.org
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American Red Cross
19 - 50
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