Unit 3 Patient Needs And Acute Situations

Nothing by mouth

able to walk around

Below

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing when laying down

-Pressure on area inhibits circulation -If not relieved the cells in the central portion will die, and an ulcer forms -Change position often -Distribute weight over large area

• Used to restrict patient movement to ensure safety • Require a physician’s order

• Prevent undesired motion during imaging procedures • DO NOT require a physician’s order

Non-accidental trauma

-Multiple injuries -Inconsistent stories -Burns -Bite marks -Black eyes in infants

-Knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm to a vulnerable adult -Types: Physical Sexual Neglect Exploitation Emotional abandonment

No

-Preserve life and avoid further harm to the patient -Obtain appropriate medical assistance as quickly as possible -Activate code blue or rapid response team -Know the location of crash carts

-Contains life saving medications and equipment for life threatening situations -Inspected very frequently -Never take supplies from the crash cart!

-“Are you choking?” -Patient clutching throat -Respiratory arrest -Heimlich Maneuver -Don’t perform blind finger sweep

-Patient unconscious or observe loss of consciousness -No pulse -Not breathing -“Shake and Shout” -Activate code and start CPR -Lack of circulation to CNS can cause irreparable brain damage in 3-5 minutes

-aka heart attack -Crushing pain in chest -May also occur in left arm and jaw -Diaphoretic(sweating) -Irregular heart beat -Initiate rapid response team -Assist to comfortable position -SOB: raise head, administer oxygen

Excessive sweating

-Used to enhance soft tissue structures (urinary, Gl, arteries, and veins) -Different types and routes of administration -Greater risk of reaction to contrast media *IV administration *Allergies to food *Asthma

-Warmth, flushing metallic taste, coughing, nausea -No treatment is needed because symptoms will resolve quickly without treatment

-Erythema, urticaria, bronchospasm -Anahistamine gaministera orals intravenously, or intramuscularly. When bronchospasm is present, the inhalation of a bronchodilating medication may be indicated.

-Symptoms: Diaphoresis(excessive sweating), hypotension, bradycardia -Treatment: Place patient in dorsal recumbent position with the feet elevated 20 degrees and the head elevated slightly if breathing is a problem. Intravenous fluids and atropine may be administered if bradycardia is present

-Symptoms: Warmth, tingling, itching of palms and soles, dysphagia, and throat constriction; progresses rapidly to laryngeal and bronchial edema, leading to respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, or seizures; may be fatal if not treated promptly -Maintain the airway and call a code. Epinephrine is the drug of choice and is administered intravenously. Other medications and intravenous fluids may be prescribed as well.

CT is preferred modality for trauma imaging, but radiographs of chest, pelvis, lateral c-spine, and extremities may be ordered

-Blow to the head with or without skull fracture -Concussion: “seeing stars” or brief loss of consciousness -Glasgow Coma Scale grades LOC(Loss Of Consciousness) *Eyes open *Verbal response *Motor response *Highest score=15