Reading...
Play button
Play button
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;
77 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
|
BSI
|
body substance isolation - an infection control concept & practice that assumes all body fluids are potentially dangerous
|
examples:
• Handwashing • Gloves and eye protection • Mask and gowns • Proper disposal of sharps |
|
|
burnout
|
a condition of chronic fatigue and frustration that results from mounting stress over time
|
|
|
|
communicable disease
|
can be spread from person to person or animal to person
|
|
|
|
contagious disease
|
infectious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another
|
|
|
|
contamination
|
presence of infectious organisms on or in dressings, water, food, needles, wounds, or a patient's body.
|
|
|
|
cover and concealment
|
tactical use of an impenetrable barrier to protect EMT's from projectiles
|
|
|
|
CISD
|
critical incident stress briefing - confidential peer group to discuss stressful incidents
|
|
|
|
CISM
|
critical incident stress management - process that confronts and defuses critical incidents
|
|
|
|
designated officer
|
individual charges with managing exposures and infections
|
|
|
|
direct contact
|
exposure or transmission of communicable disease through contact
|
|
|
|
exposure control plan
|
plan that helps employees reduce their risk of exposure
|
|
|
|
general adaption syndrome
|
body's three stage response to stress: 1, triggers alarm system, 2, reaction and resistance, 3, recovery and possibly exhaustion
|
|
|
|
hepatitis
|
inflammation of the liver, caused by a viral infection, causes fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, and altered liver function.
Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through blood contact. – A person that carries the disease can appear healthy. |
|
|
|
herpes simplex
|
infections, characterized ny small blisters in genital or non genital areas.
|
|
|
|
HIV infection
|
human immunodeficiency virus - which can cause AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
|
|
|
|
host
|
the organism attacked by the infecting agent
|
|
|
|
indirect contact
|
exposure or transmission by contact with a contaminated object (vehicle)
|
|
|
|
infection
|
abnormal invasion of a host or host tissue by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, with or without symptoms.
|
|
|
|
infectious disease
|
a disease caused by infection instead of by genes, trauma, or something else
|
|
|
|
infection control
|
procedures to reduce transmission of infection
|
|
|
|
meningitis
|
inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by a virus or a bacterium
– Usually not contagious except for Meningococcus meningitidis – Wear gloves and masks. |
|
|
|
OSHA
|
Occupational Safety and Health Administration - federal regulatory compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace.
|
|
|
|
pathogen
|
a microorganism that is capable of causing disease in a susceptible host
|
|
|
|
PPE
|
personal protective equipment - OSHA enforced protective equipment required to be made available to the EMT to block entry of organisms into body
|
|
|
|
PTSD
|
post traumatic stress disorder - delayed stress reaction to a prior incident
|
|
|
|
SARS
|
severe acute respiratory syndrome - potentially life threatening viral infection that starts with flu-like symptoms
|
|
|
|
transmission
|
the way an infectious disease is spread: contact, airborne, by vehicles, or by vectors.
|
|
|
|
tuberculosis
|
chronic bacterial disease, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that usually affects the lungs but can also affect other organs such as brain and kidney
– Detected by screening – Recovery 100% if identified and treated early |
|
|
|
universal precautions
|
protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, or other exposure risks of communicable disease.
|
|
|
|
virulence
|
the strength or ability of a pathogen to produce disease.
|
|
|
|
meningitis
|
inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by a virus or a bacterium
|
|
|
|
OSHA
|
Occupational Safety and Health Administration - federal regulatory compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace.
|
|
|
|
pathogen
|
a microorganism that is capable of causing disease in a susceptible host
|
|
|
|
PPE
|
personal protective equipment - OSHA enforced protective equipment required to be made available to the EMT to block entry of organisms into body
|
|
|
|
PTSD
|
post traumatic stress disorder - delayed stress reaction to a prior incident
|
|
|
|
SARS
|
severe acute respiratory syndrome - potentially life threatening viral infection that starts with flu-like symptoms
|
|
|
|
transmission
|
the way an infectious disease is spread: contact, airborne, by vehicles, or by vectors.
|
|
|
|
tuberculosis
|
chronic bacterial disease, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that usually affects the lungs but can also affect other organs such as brain and kidney
|
|
|
|
universal precautions
|
protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, or other exposure risks of communicable disease.
|
|
|
|
virulence
|
the strength or ability of a pathogen to produce disease.
|
|
|
|
The Well-Being of the EMT-B
|
• Personal health, safety, and well-being are vital to an EMS operation.
• Hazards vary greatly. • Mental and physical stresses are part of the job. |
|
|
|
Self Control
|
Is achieved through:
– Proper training – Experience – Strategies to cope with stress – Dedication to serving others |
|
|
|
Emotional Aspects of Emergency Care
|
• Even the most experienced providers have difficulty overcoming personal reactions.
• Emotions must be kept under control at the scene. |
|
|
|
Death and Dying
|
• Changes in society have altered people’s attitudes toward death.
• Few people have actually witnessed a death. • Life expectancy has increased. • Death is something you will have to face. • Coming to grips with death is part of delivering care. |
|
|
|
The Grieving Process
|
1. Denial: Refusal to accept
2. Anger: Blaming others 3. Bargaining: Promising to change 4. Depression: Openly expressing grief 5. Acceptance: The simple “yes” |
|
|
|
What Can an EMT-B Do?
|
• Provide gentle, caring support.
• Make helpful statements and comments. • Be yourself and sincere. • Understand that grief is a process that must be worked through. |
|
|
|
Dealing With Family Members
|
• Be calm. Family members may express rage, anger, and despair.
• Use a gentle tone of voice and a reassuring touch, if appropriate. • Respect the family’s wishes and privacy. • Do not create false hope. |
|
|
|
Initial Cares of the Dying, Critically Ill, or Injured Patient
|
• Anxiety
• Pain and fear • Anger and hostility • Depression • Dependency • Guilt • Mental health problems • Receiving unrelated bad news |
|
|
|
Caring for Critically Ill and Injured Patients
|
Avoid sad and grim comments.
Orient the patient. Be honest. Acknowledge the seriousness of the condition. Allow for hope. Locate and notify family members. |
|
|
|
Injured and Critically Ill Children
|
• Basic treatments remain the same.
• Consider variations between children and adults. • Being accompanied by a relative may relieve the child’s anxiety. |
|
|
|
Dealing With the Death of a Child
|
• A child’s death is a tragic event for both EMT-Bs and the family.
• How the family deals with the death will affect its stability. • EMT-B is responsible for helping the family. |
|
|
|
Helping the Family
|
• Acknowledge the fact of the child’s death in a private place.
• Tell the parents that they may see their child. • Do not overload the parents with information. • Parents should be encouraged to talk about their feelings. |
|
|
|
Stressful Situations
|
• Mass-casualty situations • Infant and child trauma • Amputations • Abuse
• Death or injury of a coworker |
|
|
|
Factors Affecting Patient Reactions to Stressful Situations
|
• Fear of medical
• Medication reactions personnel • Alcohol/substance abuse • Chronic diseases • Mental disorders • Age • Nutritional status • Guilt feelings • Past experience |
|
|
|
Uncertain Situations
|
• When uncertain if the patient’s condition is an emergency, contact medical control.
• Minor symptoms may be early signs of severe illness or injury. • When in doubt, err on the side of caution. |
|
|
|
Physiological Manifestations of the Fight-or-Flight Response
|
• Rise in respirations and pulse
• Increase in blood pressure • Cool, clammy skin • Dilated pupils • Tensed muscles • Increase blood glucose levels • Perspiration • Decreased circulation to GI tract |
|
|
|
Physical Symptoms of Stress
|
• Fatigue
• Changes in appetite • Headaches • Insomnia/hypersomnia • Irritability |
|
|
|
Psychological Reactions to Stress
|
• Fear
• Depression • Anger • Frustration |
|
|
|
Critical Incidents
|
• Mass-casualty incidents
• Traumatic injury or death of child • Automobile crash caused by EMS personnel • Serious injury or death of coworker |
|
|
|
Signs and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
|
Depression
Startle reactions Flashback phenomena Amnesia of event |
|
|
|
Critical Incident Stress Management
|
• Confronts responses to critical incidents and defuses them
• Process designed to help EMS personnel deal with responses to critical incidents • Composed of trained peers and mental health professionals |
|
|
|
Stress and Nutrition
|
• Prolonged stress drains the body’s reserves.
• Under stress, body’s fuel sources are consumed in large quantities. • Glucose – Quickest source of energy – Taken from glycogen stored in liver • Proteins – Drawn from muscles – Long-term source of glucose • Fats – Used by tissues for energy • Water – Conserved by retaining sodium • Vitamins and minerals – Depletes vitamins B, C, and most minerals that are not stored in large amounts by the body |
|
|
|
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
|
Held within 24 to 72 hours of a major incident All information is confidential.
CISD leaders and mental health personnel offer suggestions for overcoming the stress. |
|
|
|
Components of CISM System
|
• Preincident stress education
• On-scene peer support • Disaster support services • Defusings • CISD • Follow-up services • Spouse and family support • Community outreach programs • Other wellness programs |
|
|
|
Strategies to Manage Stress
|
• Change or eliminate stressors.
• Change partners to avoid negative or hostile personality. • Stop complaining or worrying about things you cannot change. • Expand your social support system. Minimize the physical response by: – Taking a deep breath – Stretching – Regular physical exercise – Progressive muscle relaxation |
|
|
|
Workplace Issues
|
Cultural diversity
Your effectiveness as an EMT-B Avoiding sexual harassment Substance abuse |
|
|
|
Scene Safety and Personal Protection
|
• Prepare yourself when dispatched.
• Wear seat belts and shoulder harnesses. • Ensure scene is well marked. • Check vehicle stability. |
|
|
|
Routes of Transmission
|
• Direct – Being sneezed on
• Vehicle (indirect) – Touching contaminated linen • Vector-borne – Bitten by a tick • Airborne – Inhaling contaminated droplets |
|
|
|
Exposure
|
– Contact with blood, bodily fluids, tissues, or airborne droplets directly or indirectly
|
|
|
|
Universal Precautions
|
– Protective measures developed by the CDC to prevent workers from direct or indirect contact with germs
|
|
|
|
Reducing Risk of Infection
|
• Follow the exposure control plan.
• Always follow BSI precautions. • Always use a barrier between you and the patient. • Be careful when handling needles. • Always wash your hands. • Make sure all immunizations are current. |
|
|
|
Immunizations
|
• Recommended:
– Tetanus-diphtheria boosters (every 10 years) – Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) – Influenza vaccine (yearly) – Hepatitis B vaccine |
|
|
|
Other Diseases Causing Concern
|
• Syphilis
– Can be a bloodborne disease – May result from needle stick • Whooping Cough – Airborne disease caused by bacteria – Usually occurs in children – Wear a mask to avoid exposure • Newly recognized diseases – Escherichia coli – Hantavirus – Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) |
|
|
|
General Postexposure Management
|
• Ryan White Law requires notification of exposure.
• You should be screened immediately after any exposure. • All exposures need to be reported to company’s designated officer. |
|
|
|
Establishing an Infection Control Routine
|
• Make infection control procedures a part of your daily routine.
• Routinely clean the ambulance after each run. • Properly dispose of medical waste. • Remove contaminated linen. |
|
|
|
Scene Hazards
|
• Hazardous materials – Never approach an object marked with placards.
• Electricity – Do not touch downed power lines. – Recognize the signs before a lightning strike. • Fire – Do not approach unless trained and protected. |
|
|
|
Protective Clothing
|
Eye and ear protection
– Should be used on rescue operations Skin protection – Use sun block when working outdoors. Body Armor – Worn by EMS responders in some areas for personal protection Boots Gloves Helmets Layered Clothing |
|
