Emergency Nursing Principles and Management

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for health?

  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Smoking (correct)
  • Sex

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?

  • Resuscitation
  • Nonurgent (correct)
  • Emergent
  • Urgent

In the ABCDE approach to emergency management, what action should be taken in the 'A' step if a patient has a suspected spinal injury?

  • Apply a nonrebreather with 100% O2.
  • Perform head-tilt/chin-lift.
  • Use a bag valve mask with 100% O2.
  • Perform modified jaw-thrust maneuver. (correct)

A patient is experiencing ventricular fibrillation (Vfib). What initial intervention takes priority?

<p>Defibrillate. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which medication stimulates alpha-1, beta-1, and beta-2 receptors?

<p>Epinephrine (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What patient assessment is MOST important to undertake before performing a cerebral angiography?

<p>Assess for allergies to shellfish or iodine. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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?

<p>9 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient undergoing an electroencephalogram (EEG) will be asked to do which of the following?

<p>Be sleep deprived (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Triage

A process used in emergency situations to allocate resources and prioritize patient care based on the severity of their condition. It involves classifying patients into five levels: Resuscitation, Emergent, Urgent, Less urgent, and Nonurgent.

ABCDE Assessment

A systematic approach to assessing and managing a patient's condition in an emergency situation. It involves evaluating five key areas: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability (level of consciousness), and Exposure.

Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)

A life-threatening cardiac rhythm characterized by rapid, disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles, resulting in a lack of effective blood flow to the body. This requires immediate intervention, including defibrillation and CPR.

Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach)

A cardiac rhythm characterized by rapid, regular heartbeats originating from the ventricles. Although it may not always be life-threatening, it can lead to cardiac arrest if left untreated.

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Epinephrine (Epi)

A medication often used in emergency situations for its effects in improving cardiovascular function. It can stimulate alpha 1 (vasoconstrict), beta 1 (increase heart rate), and beta 2 (bronchodilate), making it useful for managing conditions like shock, arrhythmias, and asthma.

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Dopamine

A medication that can increase heart rate (beta1) and dilate renal blood vessels. It is often used to manage shock and heart failure.

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Dobutamine

A medication that primarily increases heart rate (beta1) and is used to treat heart conditions, particularly those involving low heart rate.

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Cerebral Angiography

A neurologic diagnostic procedure that visualizes the cerebral blood vessels, allowing healthcare providers to assess blood flow, identify aneurysms, and diagnose various neurological conditions.

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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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