First Aid Handbook: Part 2 Medical Emergencies – Flashcards
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what are general breathing problems?
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mild or severe blockage of the air passages
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what are some signs of someone who is having trouble breathing?
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-breathing very fast or very slowly -is having trouble with every breath -has noisy breathing -can only make sounds or speak no more than a few words at a time in between breaths
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what parts is an inhaler made up of?
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-medicine canister -mouthpiece
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what can be used to help a person with breathing problems inhale the medication from an inhaler easier?
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spacer
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what are the action steps to assembling an inhaler?
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1. Shake the medicine 2. Put the medicine canister into the mouthpiece 3. Remove the cap from the mouthpiece 4. Attach a spacer if there is one available
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how should you administer an inhaler?
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1. Tilt the person's head back slightly and have him breathe out slowly 2. Put the inhaler or spacer in the person's mouth 3. Push down on the top of the medicine canister while having the person breathe in slowly and deeply as you push down 4. Have the person hold his breathe for 10 seconds, and then breathe out slowly
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if a person is having trouble breathing, what is the first thing you should do?
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make sure the scene is safe
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what should you ask a person who is having trouble breathing before administering an inhaler?
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-ask if they have medicine and if they are unable to get it themself, then go get it for them -ask if you got the right medicine
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when should you phone an emergency response number for someone who is having trouble breathing?
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-the person has no medicine -the person does not get better after using the medicine -the person's breathing gets worse, the person has trouble speaking, or the person stops responding
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what should you do after calling an emergency response number for a person who is having trouble breathing?
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-stay with them until someone with more advanced training arrives -see if the person needs CPR
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what is choking?
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when a foreign object gets stuck in the airway of the throat thus preventing air from getting to the lungs
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if a person can makes sounds or cough loudly what type of airway block is it?
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mild
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what should you do for a person with a mild airway block?
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-stand by and let her cough -if worried about her breathing, phone your emergency response number
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if someone: -cannot breathe -has a cough with no sound -cannot talk or make sound -makes the choking sign Then what type of airway block is it?
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severe
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what should you do for a person with a severe airway block?
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-act quickly -follow the steps to help a choking adult
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what is the first action you should take if you think a normal adult is choking?
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ask them if they are choking, and if they nod yes, then help
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what are the actions you should take to help a normal adult who is choking?
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1. Get behind him and wrap your arms around him so your hands are in front 2. Make a fist with 1 hand 3. Put the thumb side of your fist slightly above the belly button and well below the breastbone 4. Grasp the fist with your other hand and give quick upward thrusts into his abdomen 5. Give thrusts until the object is forced out and he can breathe, cough, or talk, or until he stops responding
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what should you do when helping an large adult or pregnant woman who is choking?
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give thrusts on the chest
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what should you do if a choking person stops responding?
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-give CPR if needed -continue CPR until he speaks, moves, or breathes, or until someone with more advanced training arrives
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where is an epinephrine injection given?
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in the side of the thigh (can be through clothing)
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what are the action steps for giving an epinephrine pen?
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1. Get the prescribed epinephrine pen 2. Take of the safety cap and follow the pen instructions 3. Hold the pen in your fist without touching either end 4. Push the end with the needle hard against the side of the person's thigh 5. Hold in place for 10 sec 6. Remove by pulling straight out
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what are some signs of mild allergic reactions?
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-a stuffy nose, sneezing, and itching around the eyes -itching of the skin -raised, red rash on the skin (hives)
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what are some signs of severe allergic reactions?
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-trouble breathing -swelling of the tongue and face -signs of shock
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what steps should you take if you see signs of a severe allergic reaction?
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1. Make sure the scene is safe 2. Phone or send someone to phone the emergency response number and get the fist aid kit 3. If the person responds and has an epinephrine pen, help him get it, ask him to use it
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if a person having a severe allergic reaction can't use the epinephrine pen themself, what should you do?
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1. Use it on him if you're allowed 2. Rub the injection spot for about 10 seconds 3. After using the pen, dispose of it properly 4. Note the time of injection 5. See if they need CPR
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what is important to do once the situation has been dealt with?
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dispose of the pen needle correctly
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what is the single biggest cause of death in the U.S.?
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heart disease
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what is the most important time of a heart attack?
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the first few minutes
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what are some signs of a heart attack?
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-chest discomfort -discomfort in other areas of the upper body -shortness of breath -other signs
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what can the signs of heart attack be like in women, elderly, and diabetics?
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lest typical signs of heart attack such as an ache in the chest, heartburn, or ingestion
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what is important if a person won't admit their discomfort may be caused by a heart attack?
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act quickly and don't hesitate even if the person is uncomfortable admitting their discomfort
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what are the action steps if a person has any signs of a heart attack?
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1. Make sure the person stays calm and rests 2. Phone or have someone phone your emergency response number 3. Ask someone to get the first aid kit and AED if available 4. Give him an aspirin if they are not allergic, no serious bleeding, and no signs of stroke 5. Give CPR if needed
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should you let a person having a possible heart attack drive himself to the hospital?
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no
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what is fainting?
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a short term period when a person stops responding for less than a minute and then seems fine
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what is fainting usually caused by?
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not enough blood going to the brain
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what may a person feel like before fainting?
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dizzy
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what are some common times fainting occurs?
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-stands without moving for a long time especially in hot weather -has a heart condition -suddenly stands after squatting or bending down -receives bad news
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what steps should be taken if a person is dizzy but still responds?
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1. Make sure the scene is safe 2. Help the person lie flat on the floor 3. If the person doesn't improve or stops responding, phone your emergency response number
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what steps should be taken if a person faints and then starts to respond?
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1. Ask the person to continue to lie flat on the floor until he can sit up and feel normal 2. If the person fell, look for injuries caused by the fall 3. Phone your emergency response number
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what is diabetes?
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a disease that affects the level of sugar in the blood
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what can too much insulin cause?
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low blood sugar
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when can low blood sugar occur?
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when a person with diabetes has: -not eaten or is vomiting -not eaten enough food for the level of activity -injected too much insulin
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what are some signs of low blood sugar?
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-a change in behavior, such as confusion or irritability -sleepiness or not responding -hunger, thirst, or weakness -sweating, pale skin color -seizure
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what steps should be taken if a person is responding and shows signs of low blood sugar?
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1. If the person can sit up and swallow, give them something with sugar to eat or drink 2. have him sit quietly or lie down 3. Phone or have someone phone your emergency response number
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if a person with low blood sugar is unable to sit up and swallow what should you not do?
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give them anything to eat or drink
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what is a stroke?
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when blood stops flowing to a part of the brain
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when can a stroke occur?
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when there is bleeding or a blocked blood vessel in the brain
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when must treatment be given for a stroke to reduce the damage?
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with the first hours after the first signs of a stroke
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what are some warning signs of a stroke?
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-sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body -sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or trouble understanding -sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes -sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination -sudden, severe headache with no known cause
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what are the steps you should follow if you think someone is having a stroke?
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1. Make sure the scene is safe 2. Phone or ask someone to phone your emergency response number and get the first aid kit and AED if available 3. Note the time when the signs of stroke first appeared 4. See if the person needs CPR
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what is a seizure?
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an abnormal electrical activity in the brain
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what can be the cause of a seizure?
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-epilepsy -when the heart suddenly stops beating -head injury -low blood sugar -heart-related injury -poisons
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what are some signs of a seizure?
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-lose muscle control -fall to the ground -jerk arms, legs, or other parts of the body -stop responding
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what steps should you follow during a seizure?
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1. Make sure the scene is safe 2. Protect the person 3. Phone or have someone phone your company's emergency response number
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how should you protect a person during a seizure?
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-moving furniture or other objects out of the way -placing a small pad or towel under the person's head if it's easy to do so
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what steps should you follow after a seizure?
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1. See if the person needs CPR 2. Stay with the person 3. Roll him to his side if he is vomiting or has fluids in his mouth
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what is a myth that you should not do when a person is having a seizure?
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putting a wooden spoon in their mouth
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what is shock?
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when there is not enough blood flowing to the cells of the body
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what are some causes of shock?
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-loses a lot of blood that you may or may not be able to see -has a severe heart attack -has a severe allergic reaction
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what are some signs of shock?
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-feel weak, faint, or dizzy -feel nauseous or thirsty -have pale or grayish skin -act restless, agitated, or confused -be cold and clammy to the touch
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what are the actions for treating shock?
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1. Make sure the scene is safe 2. Phone or ask someone to phone your emergency response number and get the first aid kit and AED if available 3. Lie the person on their back 4. Cover the person to keep them warm 5. See if the person needs CPR
