First Aid Certification – Flashcards
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senses that can alert you to an emergency
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- sounds (screams, breaking glass, screeching tires) - unusual sights (empty medicine containers - unusual appearances or behaviors of others (difficulty breathing, clutching of the chest or throat, abnormal skin colors, slurred or confused speech)
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If the scene is not safe...
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call for medical help. (do not endanger your life or the life of bystanders)
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When approaching the victim...
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determine consciousness; if no response, call for help
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Why is it important to avoid moving the victim?
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victims have been injured more severely by improper movement
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information that EMS needs includes...
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- description of the situation - actions taken - exact location - telephone number - number of people involved - condition of the victim(s)
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What is triage?
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method of prioritizing treatment
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examples of life threatening emergencies
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- no breathing or difficulty breathing - no pulse - severe bleeding - persistent pain in the chest or abdomen - poisoning - head, neck, or spine injuries - open chest or abdominal wounds - severe burns
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sources of information to discover details of accident, illness, or injury
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- details from victim, others, or items present at the scene - medical ID such as jewelry, card, tattoo
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How do reassure the victim?
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use a confident, calm voice to help relieve the victim's anxiety
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Should you discuss the victim's condition with observers at the scene?
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No (maintain confidentiality and protect the victim's right to privacy while providing treatment)
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While providing first aid to the victim...
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make every attempt to avoid further treatment to avoid further injury (provide only treatment you are qualified to provide)
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An open wound...
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has a break in the skin or mucous membrane
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A closed wound...
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has no break in the skin (the injury occurs to the underlying tissues)
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Providing first aid care for wounds must be directed at...
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- controlling bleeding - preventing infections
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abrasion
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scrape
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incision
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cut by a sharp object
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laceration
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tearing by excessive force; has jagged edges
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puncture
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caused by a sharp, pointed object
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avulsion
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tissue is torn or separated from the body
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amputation
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body part cut off
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arterial blood
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- usually spurts from a wound - heavy blood loss - bright red in color
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venous blood
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- slower - dark red - easier to control
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capillary blood
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- oozes from the wound - clots easily
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methods to controlling bleeding
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- direct pressure - elevation - pressure bandage - pressure points
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To control bleeding before medical help arrives...
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use a clean cloth, towel, or even your bare hand
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pressure point for brachial artery (arm)
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inside of upper arm
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pressure point for femoral artery (leg)
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groin
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To prevent infection while controlling bleeding for minor wounds...
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- wash hands before treating - put gloves on if available - wash wound with soap and water - rinse with cool water - use sterile gauze to blot wound dry
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signs of infection
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- swelling - heat - pain - fever - pus - red streaks
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If victim is bleeding...
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ask the patient when they last had a tetanus shot (they may require another one)
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How do you remove object embedded deep in the tissues?
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- if on the surface, remove it with sterile tweezers - if objects are deep, leave it and see a physician
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signs/symptoms of a closed wound
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- pain - tenderness - deformity - cold/clammy skin - rapid pulse - low blood pressure - uncontrolled restlessness - vomiting blood - blood in urine or feces
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first aid for closed wounds
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- get medical help ASAP - check breathing - avoid unnecessary movement of the victim - DO NOT give the victim fluids or foods - MONITOR FOR SHOCK
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At all times...
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remain calm while providing first aid. Obtain medical care as soon as possible
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fracture
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break in the bone
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dislocation
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the end of a bone is displaced from a joint or moved out of its normal position
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sprain
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injury to tissues surrounding a joint (involving ligaments and tendons)
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strain
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overstretching of a muscle
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closed fracture
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fracture with no external wound on the skin
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open (compound) fracture
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fracture with an open wound on the skin
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signs/symptoms of a fracture
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- deformities - limited motion - pain - victim hears a snap - victim feels a grating sensation - swelling and discoloration
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Treatment for fracture is directed at...
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- maintaining respirations - treating for shock - keeping the broken bone from moving - preventing further injury
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signs/symptoms of dislocation
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- deformity - limited movement - swelling and discoloration - pain - shortened affected extremity
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Movement of the dislocated part can lead to...
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additional injury to nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues in the area
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signs/symptoms of a sprain
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- swelling - pain - impaired motion - discoloration
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first aid for sprains
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- application of cold compresses (reduces swelling and pain) - elevation of the part - rest - elastic bandage
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Use warm application to treat...
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a strain to relax the muscles
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materials that can be used for splints include...
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- cardboard - newspapers - pillows - boards
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basic principles of splints
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- long enough to immobilize the joint above and below the injury - padded - tied in place - shouldn't apply pressure over the injury - shouldn't be too tight
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checking circulation of a limb
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- skin temp (should be warm) - skin color (pale or blueness indicates poor circulation) - note swelling - check for pain/tingling - check capillary refill for blanching
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if splint is too tight...
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immediately loosen the ties holding the splint
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A burn is an injury that can be caused by...
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a fire, heat, chemical agents, radiation, and/or electricity
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first-degree burn (superficial)
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- involves only the first layer of skin (sunburn, brief contact with hot objects)
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second-degree burn (partial-thickness)
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- causes injury to top layers of skin; involves both the dermis and epidermis - swelling occurs (severe sunburn, contact with boiling liquids)
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third- degree burn (full-thickness)
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- involves injury to all layers of the skin and underlying tissue - can be painless - life-threatening (exposure to fire/flames, electricity)
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first aid treatment for burns is directed at...
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- removing the source of heat - cooling the skin area - covering the burn - relieving pain - observing and treating for shock - preventing infection
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When should medical care be obtained?
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- more than 15% of the ADULT body is burned - more than 10% of a CHILD's body is burned - burns affect face or respiratory tract - burns result from chemicals, explosions, or electricity
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To treat first and second-degree burns...
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- cool the area by flushing it with cool water - use dry, sterile gauze to blot the area dry - apply a dry, sterile dressing to prevent infection - elevate the affected part if possible - DO NOT break any blisters open
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To treat third-degree burns...
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- call for medical help immediately - cover with a sterile dressing - elevate the extremity - do not attempt to remove articles of clothing from the burn watch the victim closely until help arrives
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To treat eyes if they are burned by chemicals,
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- remove contact lenses if applicable - flush eyes with large amounts of water for 15-30 minutes - allow water to run to the outside of the eye
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Shock is frequently noted in victims with severe burns because...
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dehydration (loss of body fluids)
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When the body is over-exposed to heat...
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a chemical imbalance of water and salt occurs through perspiration
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heat cramps
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muscle pains/spasms that result from sale and water loss
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treatment for heat cramps
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- apply firm pressure on the muscle - encourage the victim to rest and move to a cooler area - give small sips of water or sports drink
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signs/symptoms of heat exhaustion
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- pale, clammy skin - profuse perspiration - tired, weak - headache - muscle cramps - nausea/vomiting - fainting
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first aid for heat exhaustion
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- loosen or remove clothing - apply cool, wet cloths - lie victim down and elevate feet slightly - give small sips of water
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heat stroke
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- body is not able to eliminate excess heat - body temp is 105° or higher
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difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke
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body temp is elevated with heat stroke
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signs/symptoms of heat stroke
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- red, hot, dry skin - rapid pulse - loss of consciousness
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high body temperature can cause...
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convulsions and/or death in a short period of time
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first aid for heat stroke
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- cool victim quickly, place them in a tub of cool water - apply cold packs to wrists, ankles, and axillary and groin area - watch for signs of shock
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warn a victim of heat stroke to...
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- avoid warm or hot temperatures for several days after recovering from heat exposure - encourage the victim to drink sufficient amounts of water and have an adequate intake of salt
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poison control number
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(800) 222-1222
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poisoning be cause by...
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- swallowing various substances - inhaling poisonous gases - injecting substances - contacting the skin with poison
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treatment for poisoning will vary depending on the...
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- type of poison - injury involved - method of contact
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first thing to do when a victim has swallowed poison
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call the poison control center or a physician immediately [ (800)222-1222 ]
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types of information that should be given to the poison control center
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- what was taken - how much - the time in which the poisoning occurred
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if a conscious poison victim vomits...
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save a sample of it
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position an unconscious poison victim...
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on one side with their head slightly downward
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To induce vomiting...
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- syrup of ipecac, followed by a glass of water -OR- - tickle the back of the victim's throat or administer warm salt water
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Activated charcoal is used after a poisoning victim vomits because...
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it counteracts the remaining poison by helping to absorb it
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Vomiting should not not be induced if the victim...
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- is unconscious - swallowed an acid or alkali - swallowed a petroleum product - is convulsing
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first step of treatment for a victim who has been poisoned by inhaling gas
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remove the victim immediately from the area before treating them
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To treat victims poisoned by chemicals splashing on the skin...
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use large amounts of water to wash the skin for at least 15-20 minutes
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Signs of an allergic reaction to an injected poison include...
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- redness and swelling at the site - itching - hives - pain - swelling of the throat - difficulty breathing - dizziness - change in the level of consciousness
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shock
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a clinical set of signs and symptoms that are associated with an inadequate supply of blood to body organs
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The two main organs affected by shock...
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brain and heart
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causes of shock
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- excessive loss of blood (hemorrhage) - dehydration (burns, vomiting, diarrhea) - excessive pain or infection - heart attack or stroke - poisoning - lack of oxygen - psychological trauma
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anaphylactic shock
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allergic reaction to a substance (food, insect bite or sting, medications)
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cardiogenic shock
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caused by damage to the heart muscle from heart attack or cardiac arrest
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hemorrhagic
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caused by severe bleeding or loss of blood plasma
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hypovolemic shock
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caused by a loss of body fluid from severe vomiting, diarrhea, or heat illness
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neurogenic shock
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caused by injury and trauma to the brain and/or spinal cord
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psychogenic
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caused by emotional distress such as anger, fear, or grief
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respiratory shock
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caused by trauma to respiratory tract; respiratory distress or arrest (chronic disease, choking)
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septic shock
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caused by acute infection
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signs/symptoms of shock
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- skin is pale or bluish-gray in color - skin is cool or cold to the touch - diaphoresis (excessive perspiration) - rapid, weak pulse - Respirations that are shallow, rapid, and sometimes irregular - blood pressure that is very low or not obtainable - general weakness - extreme restlessness - blurred vision
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goals of treatment for shock
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- reduce the effects or eliminate the cause - improve circulation - oxygen - maintain body temperature
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treatment for shock
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- get medical help as soon as possible - carefully position the victim based on the injury - cover the victim with blankets to help maintain body temperature but if they become overheated, remove them - avoid giving the victim anything to eat or drink
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positioning for shock
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- best position is flat on the back with legs and feet raised to improve circulation to the heart and brain - if the victim is vomiting or has bleeding injuries to the face/mouth, position them on their side to prevent choking or breathing problems - if the victim has a head (not neck) injury then the head should be slightly raised - if neck or spine injuries are suspected do not move them unless necessary for their safety
