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Basic Emergency Measures

Basic Emergency Measures. In any emergency situation you must:. Assess the situation Ensure safety Verify if: allergies, medic alert bracelet for possible medical problems Remember your ABC’s Follow policies . Transmission of Disease.

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Basic Emergency Measures

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  1. Basic Emergency Measures

  2. In any emergency situation you must: • Assess the situation • Ensure safety • Verify if: allergies, medic alert bracelet for possible medical problems • Remember your ABC’s • Follow policies

  3. Transmission of Disease • Remember that any open wound should be treated with gloves (disposable latex) • Diseases such as Hepatitis & HIV can be transmitted through biological liquids such as blood • Always work on the side of caution…wear gloves! This principle is called universal precautions... we consider everyone at risk

  4. Calling 911 Here is what to do: • Be familiar with internal policies • Dial 911 Have on hand the following information: • Condition status of patient/ 1st aid measures • Your exact location (with cross street for reference) • Wait until they hang up

  5. Chest Pain Management • Common & acceptable side effects of Nitroglycerin: • lightheaded feeling, flushed cheeks • dizzy • headache

  6. Major Causes: Loose fitting dentures Alcohol Food pieces too big Talking/laughing while eating How Can You Tell? Total Obstruction: Talk Cough NO Breathe Partial Obstruction: Coughing Breathing YES Talk Choking in the Adult

  7. Treating a Choking Victim

  8. Accidental Poisoning Depending on the nature of the substance the following signs & symptoms may be noted: • Nausea & vomiting • Abdominal pain • Chills • Perspiration • Breathing difficulties • Convulsions • Loss of consciousness

  9. Treatment Plan for Poisoning • Be familiar with internal policies • Investigate type of substance ingested • Call Poison Control Centre

  10. Treatment Principles for Accidental Poisoning • Call Poison control centre) • They will suggest whether to induce vomiting or not • Vomiting will NOT be suggested if there is a chance that the agent ingested might have been CORROSIVE or an irritant or a foaming product • Ipecac syrup:NEVER give unless the Poison Control Centre has advised you to.

  11. Common Causes: Peanuts Bee sting Shellfish Mustard Certain medications Animals Flowers/pollen Signs & Symptoms: Hives to giant uticaria (large round red blotches) Swelling of lips, throat,tongue, eyelids, fingers ( CAUTION… airway obstruction!) Anaphylaxis: general systemic allergic reaction can occur inless than 90 seconds Allergic Reactions

  12. Treatment of Allergic Reactions A person experiencing any of the signs & symptoms previously mentioned should seek medical attention. They may require any of the following • Antihistamine treatment ( ie:Calamine , Benedryl, Caladryl etc. • Injection of an antihistamine ( more severe reaction) • Sensitization testing • Observation in Emergency : in case of increasing allergic reaction

  13. Using an EPI PEN The severely allergicindividual will ( in most cases) be aware of his/her allergy & will carry an EPI PEN • For treatment of ANAPHYLACTIC reactions (one dose only) • Intended for IMMEDIATE SELF ADMINISTRATION ! • Must be injected into the THIGH only!

  14. Minor Wounds:Scrapes, Cuts & Lacerations Principles for cleansing: • Proceed from center and work outwards • Do NOT return to the center with same gauze • Avoid using harsh cleansing agents & antibiotic creams

  15. Bleeding Differences • Arterial: Blood spurts out with every heart beat • Venous: Blood flows out • Color difference is not of importance • Compression, elevate & apply dressing • Do not remove the bottom layer, simply add on • Dressings should be clean & preferably white

  16. Serious Wounds:Imbedded Objects • Do not remove since underlying structures may be further damaged • Impaled object must be secured • Pressure to site to control bleeding • Ensure transportation to emergency facility

  17. Serious Wounds: Amputation • Call 911 • Control bleeding (dressing & pressure) • Place amputated extremity in wet, clean cloth. • Place in sturdy plastic bag • Place bag on bed of ice • Ensure rapid transport to emergency facility

  18. Nosebleeds Causes: • Trauma • Dryness • Nose picking • High blood pressure • Blood thinning medication (usually with high blood pressure)

  19. Place patient in sitting position with head in neutral/sniffing position Apply pressure with cold compress at nasal bridge( where soft meets hard) for 10 minutes.. by the clock! Avoid nose blowing for at least 6-8 hours after the bleeding has stopped If bleeding cannot be stopped, ensure transportation of patient to an emergency facility. Treatment for Nosebleeds

  20. Burns

  21. Strains & Sprains • Strains & strains: involve ligaments & tendons • Signs & Symptoms: ~ pain ~ swelling ~ discoloration ( not always evident at first) ~ can usually move extremity but with ++ pain • Treatment: R-I-C-E ~Rest ~Ice ~Compression ~Elevation

  22. Signs & Symptoms ~ pain( especially over injured area) ~difficulty moving area ~swelling ~can be discoloration NOTE: fractures & sprains have very similar symptoms When in doubt…treat as a FRACTURE Most common areas for fractures : ~ wrist ~~ankle ~collar bone ~finger ~upper arm ~hip Fractures

  23. Ankle Fracture Wrist Fracture

  24. Treatment of Common Closed Fractures Collar Bone: (Clavicle) • Principle is always the same: • Splint where they lie • Immobilize above & below the joint • Elevate when possible • Ice to site • Transport

  25. Common Closed Fractures # of the Humerus Finger #’s Remember to remove rings

  26. Treatment of Foreign Bodies: Ask patient to blink ( this causes tearing) Pull upper lid of eye over lower lid Always irrigate from inner eye to outer eye If persists or if imbedded in eye: Close affected eye Cover with patch Tape from upper, inner eye to bottom, outer eye. Eye Injuries

  27. Diabetic Problems Two Main Concerns: • Too much sugar • Toolittlesugar ( usually due to too much insulin & not enough food) • Either way the treatment remains the same: Give sweetened juice quick! or Dextrose tablets • Signs & Symptoms: • weakness, slurred speech, uncharacteristic behavior

  28. Seizures ( Convulsions) Grand Mal Seizure • 2 phases ( tonic & clonic) • Tonic phase: tightening of all muscles • Patient will appear rigid all over including jaw muscle • Does not last long • May make grunting like noises

  29. Seizure Cont’d • Clonic Phase: • Patient will fall to floor and start to convulse (shake) • can appear frightening to onlookers • may see white frothy saliva around the mouth • during this phase the patient can injure themselves by banging on the head and arms

  30. Ensure a safe environment for the patient Try to disperse the curious onlookers Place something soft under head of patient to prevent injury. Cover them should they lose control of bladder during seizure If breathing is noisy & labored, once convulsion is finished, ensure open airway Treatment for Seizure DO NOT try to insert anything in the mouth of the patient

  31. Seizures Continued • Once they awaken they may appear disoriented… remain with them and walk with them if they are restless. • If it their first seizure… ensure transportation to hospital

  32. Thank you

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