First Aid of Medical Emergency PDF

Prepared by Dr. Asmaa Ramadan Biochemistry Lecturer First aid of medical emergency (The human body, assessing the victim) Angina............................................................. 1 Heart Attack................................................... 2 Stroke.....

Prepared by Dr. Asmaa Ramadan Biochemistry Lecturer First aid of medical emergency (The human body, assessing the victim) Angina............................................................. 1 Heart Attack................................................... 2 Stroke....................................................................... 4 Fanting............................................................ 6 DRATES BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE  Angina Def: The term angina literally means a constriction of the chest. Angina occurs when coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood become narrowed and cannot carry sufficient blood to meet increased demands during exertion or excitement. Recognition: Vice-like central chest pain, which may spread to the jaw and down one or both arms. Pain that eases with rest. Shortness of breath. Tiredness, which is often sudden and extreme. Feeling of anxiety What to do: 1- Help the casualty to stop what he is doing and sit down. Make sure that he is comfortable and reassure him; this should help the pain to ease. 2- If the casualty has angina medication, such as tablets or aerosol spray, let him administer it himself. If necessary, help him to take it. 3- If the pain is not relieved five minutes after taking the angina medication, advise him to take a second dose. 4- Encourage the casualty to rest, and keep any bystanders away. If the casualty is still in pain five minutes after the second dose, or it returns, suspect a heart attack. Call 123 for emergency help. Dr. Asmaa Ramadan ǀ First Aid 1  Heart attack Def: A heart attack is the most commonly caused by a sudden obstruction of the blood supply to part of the heart muscle – for example, because of a clot in a coronary artery (coronary thrombosis). It can also be called a myocardial infarction. The main risk is that the heart will stop beating. The effects of a heart attack depend on how much of the heart muscle is affected; many casualties recover completely. Aspirin can be used to try to restrict the size of the clot. Recognition: Vice-like chest pain, spreading to one or both arms or jaw that does not ease with rest. Breathlessness. Discomfort, like indigestion, in upper abdomen. Sudden dizziness or faintness. Casualty may have sense of impending doom. “Ashen” skin and blueness of lips. Rapid, weak, or irregular pulse. Profuse sweating. Extreme gasping for air (air hunger). Dr. Asmaa Ramadan ǀ First Aid 2  What to do? 1- Make the casualty comfortable: Help the casualty into a comfortable position; a half-sitting position is often best. Support his head and shoulders and place cushions under his knees. 2- Call for emergency help: Tell ambulance control that you suspect a heart attack. Dr. Asmaa Ramadan ǀ First Aid 3  Stroke Def: A stroke, or brain attack, is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Any disruption to the flow of blood to the brain starves the affected part of the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This can cause temporary or permanent loss of function in that area of the brain. Causes: A stroke can result from: A blood clot that blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain. (Ischemic Stroke) A burst blood vessel that causes bleeding which presses on the brain. (Hemorrhagic stroke) Dr. Asmaa Ramadan ǀ First Aid 4  Recognition: Use the FAST (Face–Arm–Speech–Time) guide if you suspect a casualty has had a stroke: F – Facial weakness – the casualty is unable to smile evenly and the mouth or eye may be droopy. A – Arm weakness – the casualty is only able to raise one of his arms. S – Speech problems – the casualty is unable to speak clearly or may not understand the spoken word. T – Time to call 123 for emergency help if you suspect that the casualty has had a stroke. What to do? 1. Look at the casualty’s face. Ask him to smile. if he has had a stroke, he may only be able to smile on one side – the other side of his mouth may droop. 2. Ask the casualty to raise both his arms. if he has had a stroke, he may only be able to lift one arm. 3. Find out whether the person can speak clearly and understand what you say. When you ask a question does he respond appropriately?! 4. Call 123 for emergency help and tell ambulance control that you have used the FAST guide and you suspect a stroke. Dr. Asmaa Ramadan ǀ First Aid 5  Fanting Def: A faint is a brief loss of responsiveness caused by a temporary reduction of the blood flow to the brain. Causes: It may be a reaction to pain, exhaustion, lack of food or emotional stress. Fainting is also common after long periods of physical inactivity, such as standing or sitting still, especially in a warm atmosphere. This inactivity causes blood to pool in the legs, reducing the amount of blood reaching the brain. Recognition: Brief period of unresponsiveness that causes the person to fall to the ground. A slow pulse. Pale, cold skin and sweating. What to do? 1- When a casualty feels faint, advise him to lie down and raise his legs, supporting his ankles on your shoulders to improve blood flow to the brain. 2- Watch his face for signs of recovery. 3- Make sure that the casualty has plenty of fresh air; ask someone to open a window if you are indoors. 4- As the casualty recovers, reassure him and help him to sit up gradually. Dr. Asmaa Ramadan ǀ First Aid 6  If he starts to feel faint again: advise him to lie down once again and raise and support his legs until he recovers fully. If the casualty is a woman in the late stage of pregnancy, help her to lie down so that she is leaning towards her left side to prevent the pregnant uterus restricting blood flow back to her heart and brain. Dr. Asmaa Ramadan ǀ First Aid 7