Emergency & Critical Care Nursing Quiz

Rapidly assess patients needing immediate care, prioritizing those closest to death first, and prioritizing incoming patients.

In telephone triage, gather the client's name, contact number (for follow-up). Determine urgency level by taking a brief history. Offer advice (first aid, transport instructions, urgent care referrals) and do not delay.

By collecting basic history (what, when, duration, current status, location, concerns, etc.)

Veterinary technician determines patient acuity level as soon as the client enters the waiting room, asking about the issue and observing. Determine if immediate care is needed or if they can wait.

Obtain brief history and perform quick visual and physical exams in 1-2 minutes to sort patients; those needing immediate stabilization first.

Patients are categorized based on their urgency. Immediate care/stabilization cases are prioritized.

These are life-threatening problems (cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological) that need immediate treatment.

Patients with conditions (vomiting/diarrhea, injury, contagious diseases) that do not need immediate care but still require treatment.

A rapid assessment (1-2 mins) of critical problems, including airway, breathing, and consciousness.

Checking for any airway obstruction or respiratory distress, evaluating effort, sounds and posture.

Evaluating active bleeding, especially arterial; apply direct pressure, and potentially a tourniquet.

Checking heart rate (tachycardia, bradycardia), rhythm, pulse quality and strength, temperature, hydration, and palpation of abdomen.

Evaluating the patient's level of consciousness, from alert to comatose; assess pupils for size and responsiveness.

Categorizing alertness, verbal responsiveness, and pain perception.

Evaluating pupil size and responsiveness (Pupil Light Reflex or PLR); compare sizes of both pupils.

Emergency measure for severe bleeding; apply only around extremities, not head or body for 20 minutes, consult.

Quickly assess and address life-threatening issues (airway, breathing, catastrophic bleeds, consciousness) within 1-2 minutes.

After immediate threats are addressed, a detailed patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing are performed to determine the cause of the issue.

Circulatory shock is when organs and tissues don't get enough blood, causing oxygen deprivation and waste buildup, potentially leading to serious damage or death.

Restore normal blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues to prevent cell death and organ failure.

Problems with the heart's ability to pump blood (e.g., heart disease, arrhythmias).

Too little blood volume in the body.

Blood vessels widen abnormally, decreasing blood pressure.

Blockage to blood flow.

A life-threatening condition where the body's tissues aren't getting enough oxygen due to decreased blood flow. This can lead to widespread tissue damage.

The early stage of shock where the body tries to compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and redirecting blood to vital organs like the heart and brain.

Increased heart rate, rapid breathing, pale gums, cool extremities, weak pulse, prolonged capillary refill time (CRT).

The late stage of shock where the body's compensatory mechanisms are failing, leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, weak pulse, and possible confusion or altered mental status.

The final stage of shock where the body is unable to recover, leading to organ failure and death. This stage is characterized by unconsciousness, very low blood pressure, and cold, pale extremities.

Tissue damage that occurs when blood flow is restored after a period of shock. This happens because the tissues have been deprived of oxygen and are vulnerable to further damage when blood flow returns.

Widespread inflammation throughout the body that can lead to shock. This is often triggered by infection or trauma, and it can be life-threatening.

Aggressive fluid therapy to restore blood volume, monitoring vital signs closely, and addressing the underlying cause of shock.

If you are unsure about the urgency of a situation or if the case seems beyond your scope of knowledge, you should immediately seek another technician or veterinarian's guidance. Do not delay, as crucial time can be lost, especially in life-threatening situations like hemorrhaging or bloat.

Failing to answer the phone and triage an incoming call can lead to unexpected walk-ins, potentially overwhelming your clinic. It may not be a true emergency, but for the client, the situation may feel urgent.

Collecting the client's name and phone number during a telephone triage is crucial for several reasons. It helps you contact the client if the call is disconnected, ensures you have a number the client can be reached at (especially in high-stress situations), and ultimately helps you navigate a possible emergency scenario.

Upon a client's arrival, the RVT quickly assesses a patient's urgency or 'acuity' level based on observation (e.g., visual signs), a brief history of the situation, and a greeting. This evaluation helps determine if the patient needs immediate care or can wait in the waiting room.

In triage, patients with life-threatening conditions are prioritized and handled first. This includes those with cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological issues. These patients may need immediate care, potentially in a treatment area, while other patients may have conditions that are treatable but not immediately life-threatening.

A rapid assessment (1-2 minutes) to identify and address life-threatening problems in a patient.

Assessing Airway, Breathing, and Consciousness to identify immediate threats.

Measuring heart rate, rhythm, pulse quality, temperature, hydration, and examining the abdomen.

A tourniquet can only be applied for a maximum of 20 minutes and requires veterinary consultation.

A stance where an animal avoids movement or contact with a specific area due to pain.

Lying on the side, typically due to pain or discomfort.

An abnormal gait where an animal avoids putting weight on an affected limb.

A stance with both forelimbs extended forward and the hind limbs tucked under the body, often seen in abdominal pain.

A life-threatening condition where the body's tissues aren't getting enough oxygen due to decreased blood flow.

Shock can be categorized into four main types: Cardiogenic, Hypovolemic, Distributive, and Obstructive, each caused by a failure of a different component of the circulatory system.