Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for health?
Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for health?
A patient arrives at the emergency department with stable vital signs and requires a simple evaluation. According to triage principles, what level should they be categorized as?
A patient arrives at the emergency department with stable vital signs and requires a simple evaluation. According to triage principles, what level should they be categorized as?
In the ABCDE approach to emergency management, what action should be taken in the 'A' step if a patient has a suspected spinal injury?
In the ABCDE approach to emergency management, what action should be taken in the 'A' step if a patient has a suspected spinal injury?
A patient is experiencing ventricular fibrillation (Vfib). What initial intervention takes priority?
A patient is experiencing ventricular fibrillation (Vfib). What initial intervention takes priority?
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Which medication stimulates alpha-1, beta-1, and beta-2 receptors?
Which medication stimulates alpha-1, beta-1, and beta-2 receptors?
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What patient assessment is MOST important to undertake before performing a cerebral angiography?
What patient assessment is MOST important to undertake before performing a cerebral angiography?
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A patient opens their eyes to sound, speaks incoherent words, and withdraws from pain. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale, what is their total score?
A patient opens their eyes to sound, speaks incoherent words, and withdraws from pain. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale, what is their total score?
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A patient undergoing an electroencephalogram (EEG) will be asked to do which of the following?
A patient undergoing an electroencephalogram (EEG) will be asked to do which of the following?
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Study Notes
Health, Wellness, and Illness Variables
- Modifiable variables can be changed: smoking, nutrition, health education, sexual practices, exercise.
- Non-modifiable variables cannot be changed: sex, age, developmental level, genetics.
Emergency Nursing Principles and Management
Triage Levels
- Resuscitation (Level 1): Life-threatening conditions requiring immediate intervention.
- Emergent (Level 2): Immediate threat to life or limb, requiring prompt attention.
- Urgent (Level 3): Conditions requiring treatment within a few hours.
- Less Urgent (Level 4): Conditions that can wait several hours.
- Non-Urgent (Level 5): Conditions that do not require immediate treatment.
ABCDE Approach to Emergency Care
- Airway: Maintain a patent airway. Use a head tilt/chin lift (modified jaw thrust if suspected spinal injury). Administer 100% oxygen using a bag-valve mask or non-rebreather mask for spontaneous breathers.
- Breathing: Assess and support breathing as needed.
- Circulation: Assess and support circulation.
- Disability: Assess level of consciousness (LOC).
- Exposure: Carefully expose the patient for assessment.
Poisoning Management
- Activated charcoal may be used.
- Gastric lavage (stomach pumping) is often performed within one hour of ingestion.
Rapid Response Team
- Responds to patients showing signs of rapid deterioration.
Cardiac Emergencies
- Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib): Defibrillation, CPR, and administration of IV antidysrhythmics (epinephrine, amiodarone, lidocaine, magnesium sulfate) are crucial.
- Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach): Treatment varies based on patient stability.
Medications in Cardiac Emergencies
- Epinephrine: Stimulates alpha 1 (vasoconstriction), beta 1 (increased heart rate), and beta 2 (bronchodilation). Effective for superficial bleeding, increasing blood pressure, AV block, and cardiac arrest, and asthma. Side effects include hypertension crisis, dysrhythmias, and angina.
- Dopamine: Causes renal blood vessel dilation and increases heart rate (beta 1). Used for shock and heart failure. Side effects include dysrhythmias and angina.
- Dobutamine: Primarily affects heart rate (beta 1). Useful for treating low heart rate.
Neurologic Diagnostic Procedures
Cerebral Angiography
- Visualizes cerebral blood vessels, assessing blood flow and identifying aneurysms.
- Contraindications include pregnancy and allergies (shellfish/iodine). Requires assessment for anticoagulants and kidney function (BUN and creatinine).
CT Scan
- Creates cross-section images of the body.
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
- Diagnoses seizure activity and sleep disorders. Preparation may include washing hair, sleep deprivation, exposure to flashing lights, and hyperventilation.
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
- Assesses level of consciousness (LOC). Higher scores indicate better function. A score less than 8 suggests severe head injury or coma.
- Eye Opening: Scores 1-4.
- Verbal Response: Scores 1-5 .
- Motor Response: Scores 1-6.
Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring
- Performed by neurosurgeons in the operating room. Used to manage patients with elevated ICP.
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Description
This quiz covers essential principles and management techniques in emergency nursing, including health variables that can be modified and triage levels. Understand the ABCDE approach to emergency care and its importance in patient outcomes.
