Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
67 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
"AVPU is not a precise assessment of altered mental status, but it can be used as a(n) _________________." |
Quick reference point in the primary assessment Ch. 19, pg. 533 |
|
|
"The pancreas secretes insulin when the blood glucose rises above about _________." |
90 mg/dL Ch. 19, pg. 534 |
|
|
"About ______________ Americans...have a condition called diabetes mellitus." |
16 million Ch. 19, pg. 535 |
|
|
"Type 1 diabetes occurs when _________________________________." |
Pancreatic cells fail to function properly and insulin is not secreted normally. Ch. 19, pg. 535 |
|
|
"Type 2 diabetes occurs when __________________________." |
The body's cells fail to use insulin properly Ch. 19, pg. 535 |
|
|
"Patients with type 2 diabetes can often control their condition with ___________________." |
Diet and/or oral antidiabetic medications Ch. 19, pg. 535 |
|
|
"The most common medical emergency for the diabetic is ____________." |
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar Ch. 19, pg. 535 |
|
|
"Hypoglycemia is caused when the diabetic does any one of the following:" |
-Takes too much insulin -Reduces sugar intake by not eating -Overexercises or overexerts himself -Vomits a meal -Increases the metabolic rate in conditions such as fever or shivering Ch. 19, pg. 535 |
|
|
Is hypoglycemia's onset typically fast or slow? |
Fast Ch. 19, pg. 535 |
|
|
"Hyperglycemia is usually caused by a decrease in ___________..." |
Insulin Ch. 19, pg. 536 |
|
|
Is hyperglycemia's onset typically fast or slow? |
Slow Ch. 19, pg. 536 |
|
|
How is diabetic ketoacidosis caused? |
1. Extremely high levels of sugar in the blood begin to draw water away from the body's cells, potentially resulting in dehydration. 2. Starving body cells begin to burn fats and proteins in a manner that results in excessive waste products being released into the system Ch. 19, pg. 536 |
|
|
"A person having [diabetic ketoacidosis] will breathe ________ and often emit a __________ odor on his breath..." |
-Rapidly -Fruity, acetone Ch. 19, pg. 536 |
|
|
"The following signs and symptoms are associated with a diabetic emergency:" |
-Rapid onset of altered mental status -Intoxicated appearance -Cold, clammy skin -Elevated HR -Hunger -Uncharacteristic behavior -Anxiety -Combativeness -Seizures Ch. 19, pg. 537 |
|
|
T/F: Diabetic children are more at risk for medical emergencies than diabetic adults |
True Ch. 19, pg. 538 |
|
|
"A value less than ______ in a symptomatic diabetic is typical of hypoglycemia and indicates the need for prompt administration of ____________." |
-60 mg/dL -Glucose Ch. 19, pg. 540 |
|
|
Indications for oral glucose |
Patients with altered mental status and a known history of diabetes mellitus Ch. 19, pg. 541 |
|
|
Contraindications for oral glucose |
-Unconsciousness -Known diabetic who has not taken insulin for days -Unable to swallow Ch. 19, pg. 541 |
|
|
Medication form for oral glucose |
Gel, in toothpaste-type tubes Ch. 19, pg. 541 |
|
|
Dosage for oral glucose |
One tube Ch. 19, pg. 541 |
|
|
Actions of oral glucose |
Increases blood sugar Ch. 19, pg. 541 |
|
|
Side effects of oral glucose |
None when given properly. May be aspirated by the patient without a gag reflex Ch. 19, pg. 541 |
|
|
Reassessment strategies for oral glucose |
If patient loses consciousness or seizes, remove tongue depressor from mouth Ch. 19, pg. 541 |
|
|
"Always suspect a(n) __________ in cases that seem to involve no more than intoxication." |
Diabetic problem Ch. 19, pg. 543 |
|
|
Name seven non-diabetic potential causes on altered mental status |
-Hypoxia -Sepsis -Drug and alcohol use -Brain injuries -Metabolic abnormalities -Brain tumors -Infectious diseases Ch. 19, pg. 543 |
|
|
"Consider the following findings as evidence of severe sepsis:" |
-Altered mental status -Increased heart rate -Increased respiratory rate -Low blood pressure -High blood glucose levels -Decreased capillary refill time Ch. 19, pg. 544 |
|
|
List the three phases of a tonic-clonic seizure |
-Tonic phase -Clonic phase -Postictal phase Ch. 19, pg. 545 |
|
|
What occurs in the tonic phase of a seizure? |
-The body becomes rigid, stiffening for no more than 30 seconds
-Breathing may stop -The patient may bite his tongue -Bowel and bladder control could be lost Ch. 19, pg. 545 |
|
|
What occurs in the clonic phase of a seizure? |
-The body jerks about violently, usually for no more than 1 or 2 minutes (some can last 5 minutes) -The patient may foam at the mouth and drool -His face and lips often become cyanotic Ch. 19, pg. 545 |
|
|
What occurs in the postical phase of a seizure? |
-Convulsions stop -The patient may regain consciousness and enter a state of drowsiness and confusion, or may remain unconscious for several hours -Headache is common Ch. 19, pg. 545 |
|
|
"The most common cause of seizures in adults is _________________________." |
Failure to take prescribed antiseizure medication. Ch. 19, pg. 545 |
|
|
"The most common cause of seizures in infants and children six months to three years of age is ___________________________." |
High fever (febrile seizures) Ch. 19, pg. 545 |
|
|
"Epilepsy is not a disease itself but rather a(n) ___________________________________." |
Umbrella term used when a person has multiple seizures from an unknown cause Ch. 19, pg. 5456 |
|
|
"If you are present when a convulsive seizure occurs:" |
-Place the patient on the floor or ground. If there is no possibility of spine injury, position the patient on his side for drainage from the mouth -Loosen restrictive clothing -Remove objects that may harm the patient -Protect the patient from injury, but do not try to hold the patient still during convulsions Ch. 19, pg. 547 |
|
|
"When the patient has two or more convulsive seizures in a row without regaining full consciousness or a single seizure lasting more than 10 minutes, it is known as _______________." |
Status epilepticus Ch. 19, pg. 547 |
|
|
"In a simple partial seizure, there is _______________________." |
Tingling, stiffening, or jerking in just one part of the body Ch. 19, pg. 548 |
|
|
"A complex partial seizure is often preceded by a(n) ______...It may involve __________________________________." |
-Aura -Confusion, a glassy stare, aimless moving about, lip smacking or chewing, or fidgeting with clothing Ch. 19, pg. 548 |
|
|
"An absence seizure is _______________. There is no ____________________ and the person usually does not _____________." |
-Brief, usually less than 10 seconds -Dramatic motor activity -Slump or fall Ch. 19, pg. 548 |
|
|
"A stroke caused by a blockage, called a(n) ________, can occur when a clot or embolism occludes an artery." |
Ischemic stroke Ch. 19, pg. 548 |
|
|
"A stroke caused by bleeding into the brain, called a(n) ______________, frequently is the result of long-standing high blood pressure. |
Hemorrhagic stroke Ch. 19, pg. 548 |
|
|
What is hemiparesis? |
One-sided weakness Ch. 19, pg. 548 |
|
|
What is aphasia? |
A general term that refers to difficulty in communication Ch. 19, pg. 548 |
|
|
What is expressive aphasia? |
When the patient can understand you and know what he wants to say, but will say the wrong words Ch. 19, pg. 549 |
|
|
What is receptive aphasia? |
When the patient can speak clearly but cannot understand what you are saying, so he will clearly say things that do not make much sense or are inappropriate for the situation Ch. 19, pg. 549 |
|
|
"...a patient with a TIA has complete resolution of his symptoms without treatment within _________________." |
24 hours (usually much sooner) Ch. 19, pg. 549 |
|
|
Name the three components of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale |
-Facial Droop -Arm Drift -Speech Ch. 19, pg. 550 |
|
|
"One of the most important things the EMT can do to optimize the care of stroke patients who are potential candidates for thrombolytics is to ________________________." |
Determine and document the exact time of onset of symptoms Ch. 19, pg. 552 |
|
|
What is vertigo? |
The sensation of your surroundings spinning around you Ch. 19, pg. 553 |
|
|
List the four common categories of causes of dizziness and syncope |
-Cardiovascular -Hypovolemic -Metabolic -Environmental/toxicological Ch. 19, pg. 553 |
|
|
What is vasovagal syncope thought to be caused by? |
Stimulation of the vagus nerve, which in turn signals the heart to slow down Ch. 19, pg. 554 |
|
|
Definition: aura |
A sensation experienced by a seizure patient right before the seizure, which might be a smell, sound, or general feeling Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: diabetes mellitus |
Also called "sugar diabetes" or just "diabetes," the condition brought about by decreased insulin production or the inability of the body cells to use insulin properly. The person with this condition is a diabetic Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: diabetic ketoacidosis |
A condition that occurs as the result of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), characterized by dehydration, altered mental status, and shock Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: epilepsy |
A medical condition that causes seizures Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: generalized seizure |
A seizure that affects both sides of the brain Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: glucose |
A form of sugar, the body's basic source of energy Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: hyperglycemia |
High blood sugar Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: hypoglycemia |
Low blood sugar Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: insulin |
A hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: partial seizure |
A seizure that affects only one part or one side of the brain Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: postictal phase |
The period of time immediately following a tonic-clonic seizure in which the patient goes from full loss of consciousness to full mental status Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: reticular activating system |
Series of neurologic circuits in the brain that control the functions of staying awake, paying attention, and sleeping Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: sepsis |
Infection, especially a severe, systemwide response to infection Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: status epilepticus |
A prolonged seizure or situation when a person suffers two or more convulsive seizures without regaining full consciousness Ch. 19, pg. 556 |
|
|
Definition: stroke |
A condition of altered function caused when an artery in the brain is blocked or ruptured, disrupting the supply of oxgyenated blood or causing bleeding into the brain. Formerly called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) Ch. 19, pg. 557 |
|
|
Definition: syncope |
Fainting Ch. 19, pg. 557 |
|
|
Definition: tonic-clonic seizure |
A generalized seizure in which the patient loses consciousness and has jerking movements of paired muscle groups Ch. 19, pg. 557 |
