Medical Emergency Chapter 3: Unconsciousness

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Questions and Answers

What is the main risk associated with someone who is unconscious and left on their back?

Respiratory difficulties (correct)

Enhanced alertness

Increased heart rate

Improved circulation

Which of the following is NOT a method for opening the airway in an unconscious victim?

Arm extension (correct)

Chin lift

Head tilt

Jaw thrust

What should be done if a victim shows no heart sound and no breathing?

Provide water to the victim

Perform chest compressions and call for help (correct)

Administer rescue breathing immediately

Wait for medical personnel to arrive

What does the 'A' in the AVPU scale stand for during an alertness assessment?

Alertness Signup and view all the answers

During the process of opening airways, which area should you avoid pressing to prevent blocking the airway?

Soft part of the chin Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct action to take when rolling a victim into the recovery position?

Rotate the victim using the elbow and knee simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

How should the leg above the victim be positioned to stabilize them in the recovery position?

It should form a right angle with the hip and knee. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended way to ensure the victim's airway is clear during stabilization?

Open the mouth using the thumb and forefinger without moving the head. Signup and view all the answers

What should a rescuer do if they are alone and need to notify emergency services?

Place the victim in recovery position and leave to call for help. Signup and view all the answers

What immediate action should be taken if a victim stops breathing?

Reposition the victim on their back and perform CPR. Signup and view all the answers

In which position should a pregnant woman be placed during recovery?

On her left side to prevent compression of blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct method to check an infant's consciousness?

Tap the shoulder or flick the bottom of the foot. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to open the airways of a newborn infant?

Gently tilt the head until it's parallel to the sky. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a person as being unconscious?

He/she is breathing normally but does not respond to stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a person with altered consciousness?

Ability to answer questions appropriately. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk associated with unconsciousness?

Progression to respiratory and circulatory arrest. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by complete unresponsiveness and no reaction to stimuli?

Coma. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be a cause of altered consciousness?

Exposure to carbon monoxide. Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to a decrease in alertness in an individual?

Toxic effects on the reticular activating system. Signup and view all the answers

What common feature may indicate a person is confused?

Impaired judgment and decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes disorientation?

Impaired recognition of self and surroundings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the recovery position?

To limit movement of the spine and maintain stability Signup and view all the answers

Which position should the right leg be in when placing a victim in the recovery position?

Folded up to the abdomen Signup and view all the answers

When checking for breathing, what should be done first?

Assess the airway and remove visible solids Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical step before turning an unconscious victim?

Remove the victim’s glasses if they are present Signup and view all the answers

In the recovery position, how should the victim's head be positioned?

Tilted to the side with the mouth open Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to ensure that no pressure is applied to the chest during the recovery position?

To prevent restriction of the victim's respiration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques is recommended for removing solids from a victim's mouth?

Crossed fingers technique Signup and view all the answers

What should be done continuously after placing a victim in the recovery position?

Monitor the victim for any changes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 3: Unconsciousness

Objectives include identifying unconsciousness signs and keeping unconscious victim's airways clear.
Consciousness is a normal wakefulness level determined by the interaction between a functioning cerebral cortex and a healthy reticular activating system.

Character of Consciousness

Includes traits such as orientation (time, place, person), alertness, awareness of surroundings, appropriate responses to questions, and intact memory (recent and remote).

Altered Level of Consciousness

Confusion: Loss of clear and quick thinking, impaired judgement.
Disorientation: Disoriented to time, place, or self; impaired memory, limited speech or movement; easy to arouse.
Coma: State of complete unresponsiveness, lack of motor or verbal responses to external stimuli, including noxious stimuli (e.g., deep pain); cannot be awakened by any stimulus.

Unconsciousness Definition

A victim is unconscious if they do not speak, react, or move when asked, but are breathing normally.
Causes can be traumatic, medical, or toxic.

Causes of Altered Consciousness

Seizures
Cerebrovascular causes
Tumors
Cardiac arrest
Heart or lung disease
Asphyxiation
Alcohol
Carbon monoxide
Drugs
Infections

Pathophysiology

Direct compression or destruction of structures.
Reduced oxygen or glucose availability.
Toxic substances' effects on RAS (reticular activating system) structures.

Risk

Unconsciousness can progress to respiratory and circulatory arrest.
Unconscious victims lying on their backs are prone to airway blockages from saliva, blood, or gastric fluids (the tongue falling back).
The priority is opening the airways.

Assessment

Look for alertness (AVPU scale): shake the shoulder, call loudly, check for chest movement.
Listen for heart sounds.
Feel for air passage through the nostrils.
AVPU Scale:
- A: Alert
- V: Responds to verbal stimuli
- P: Responds to painful stimuli
- U: Unresponsive

First Aid Management (Cardiac Arrest)

If no heart sound and no breathing:
Call for help
Start Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Perform chest compressions

Opening the Airway

Place the victim on their back.
Tilt the head, chin lift, or jaw thrust to open airways.
Cover the mouth completely when providing rescue breaths.
Deep breaths two times (for adults and children)
If there are visible solids inside the victim's mouth, remove them (e.g., using the crossed fingers technique or finger sweep technique).

Recovery Position

Safe, lateral position.
Chin up; right hand under the chin.
Right leg bent toward the abdomen; left leg straight.
Continuous monitoring; refer to hospital.
For pregnant women, place on left side to avoid compressing blood vessels in the abdomen.
For Infants, tap shoulder or flick foot; open airway with method similar to adults/children but stop before the head tilts backwards.
Check breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
Place the baby on their side, so they're facing the rescuer's chest.
Check for any deterioration.
For infants, use the neutral position when opening their airway.

Important Considerations

Alert someone to notify emergency services before initiating CPR.
Protect the victim from cold, heat, or bad weather.
Monitor the victim's breathing and watch for changes in their condition.
If breathing stops, reposition the victim and perform CPR (see the chapter on "Cardiac Arrest").

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Description

This quiz focuses on Chapter 3 of medical emergencies, covering the signs of unconsciousness and the character of consciousness. Participants will test their knowledge on various states, including confusion, disorientation, and coma, as well as methods for maintaining clear airways in unconscious victims.