Health Emergencies: Overview Flashcards & Quiz

Study Notes

Health Emergencies Overview

Anaphylactic shock
- A severe allergic reaction that can result in death within minutes if untreated.
- Can occur through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, or injection of allergens.
Diabetes
- One of the most common chronic health conditions in schools.
- Ranked as the sixth leading cause of death by disease in North America.
Asthma Management
- Staff should not discourage deep coughing during asthma episodes; instead, they should encourage it to help clear mucus.
- Suggest belly breathing techniques to help calm the student.
Hypoglycemic Reactions
- Three recognized levels of hypoglycemic reactions:
  - Conscious and able to swallow.
  - Conscious but uncooperative or disoriented.
  - Unconscious or experiencing a seizure.
Asthma Episodes
- Key components are bronchospasm, inflammation, and increased mucus production; abdominal distress is not included.
Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EAI) Use
- After use, the EAI should be placed back in its container until emergency help arrives; it is not immediately disposable.
Calling for Help During Asthma
- Assistance is needed if the student has difficulty walking or talking, if breathing issues persist post-medication, or if there are blue fingernails or lips, or a significant peak flow drop.
Epinephrine Auto-Injector Function
- Provides temporary relief by opening the airway for about 15 minutes, necessitating a call to emergency services during an anaphylactic reaction.
Latex Sensitivity
- Common classroom items that may contain latex include gloves, toys, pencil erasers, balloons, adhesive tape, and bandages, but desks do not.
Asthma Symptoms
- Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, fatigue, dry mouth, itchy chin, clipped speech, and headaches.
Asthma Classification
- Asthma is classified as an obstructive lung disease that can be controlled but is not curable, triggered by environmental factors.
Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy
- Allergies to peanuts (legumes) do not necessarily imply allergies to tree nuts, allowing for different allergic reactions between the two.
Hyperglycemia Symptoms
- Symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, but exclude loss of appetite.
Seizures
- Complex partial seizures lead to loss of awareness for a duration, distinguishing them from generalized seizures.
Diabetes Types
- Two main types affecting students:
  - Type 1 (insulin-dependent)
  - Type 2 (insulin-resistant)
Seizure Types
- Seizures are categorized as partial or generalized, clarifying misconceptions that all seizures are the same.
Diabetes Misconception
- Diabetes is not solely caused by excessive sugar intake; it results from a combination of factors requiring insulin, diet, and exercise management.

Description

Test your knowledge on critical health emergencies with these flashcards. Covering topics such as anaphylactic shock and diabetes, this quiz will help you understand key concepts and definitions essential for managing health crises. Perfect for students and healthcare professionals alike.