Unit 4 Lesson 5 Abdominal Pain and Poisoning PDF

Unit 4 Medical Issues Lesson 5 Abdominal Pain and Poisoning Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to provide emergency first aid for a patient with abdominal pain that is significant enough for the patient to call for help, and for a patient ex- periencing poisoning or an...

Unit 4 Medical Issues Lesson 5 Abdominal Pain and Poisoning Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to provide emergency first aid for a patient with abdominal pain that is significant enough for the patient to call for help, and for a patient ex- periencing poisoning or an allergic reaction. Abdominal Pain Separated from the chest cavity by the diaphragm, the abdominal cavity contains several organs. The abdomen is a large part of the body, and abdominal pain is a common complaint. A patient may feel abdominal pain directly over the affected organ, or the pain may radiate to a different body part. ✅ HL245.1. Describe how to respond to a patient with acute abdominal pain or distress As the first responder on the scene, do not spend time trying to determine the cause of the pain. Instead, recognize that the patient has an abdominal problem, complete a thorough patient assess- ment, place them in a position of comfort, wait for EMS, and treat any life-threatening symptoms accordingly. Remember that heart attacks may sometimes present with upper abdominal pain and nausea. Poisoning ✅ HL245.2. Describe the different methods of poisoning Poisons are substances that may cause an allergic reaction, injury, or death if introduced into the body. Poisons can be solids, liquids, or gases that enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, injection, or absorption. ✅ HL245.3. Describe the signs and symptoms of poisoning Signs and symptoms of poisoning include: difficulty breathing blue lips and skin or paleness diarrhea nausea, vomiting abdominal pain burns around the nose or mouth dizziness or weakness seizures chest pain, cough or burning shock sensation in the throat loss of consciousness Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 137 In the event of poisoning by absorption, patients can present with itchy skin, liquid or powder on the skin, redness, rash, or blistering. Signs of poisoning by injection include a bite or sting mark, itchy skin, stinger, or tentacle embedded in the skin, redness, swelling, pain around the site. Snake venom contains some of the most complex poisons known. These poisons can affect the central nervous system, heart, kidneys, and blood. Depending on the type of snake, snake venom can dissolve human tissue or cause nerve damage. Signs and symptoms of poisoning from snakebites include: a semicircular bite site that may or may not bleed blurred vision drowsiness, slurred speech increased sweating and salivation nausea, vomiting one or two puncture wounds that may or may not bleed seizures, unresponsiveness severe pain and burning sensation at the wound site shock swelling and discoloration at the wound site beginning within 30 minutes and perhaps lasting several hours weakness, paralysis Stings from some marine life can be very painful and make a person ill. Signs of poisoning from marine life stings are swelling and redness of the skin. Many people have severe allergies to substances in the venom of insects, such as bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and ants. Even if not poisoned, highly allergic people need immediate medical care for severe allergic shock after being stung. Signs and symptoms of poisoning from an insect bite or sting include: pain and swelling that extends to the nausea stomach, back, or chest body aches stomach cramping sweating or chills Some spider bites, although not immediately life threatening, develop a dark blue or purple area towards the center of the bite surrounded by a white ring and a larger red area that may turn into a large wound. 138 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 ✅ HL245.4. Describe how to provide treatment for poisoning To treat a patient with poisoning: 1. If safe to do so, remove the patient from the source of the poison. 2. Make every attempt to identify the poison by questioning the patient, the patient’s family, or any bystanders. 3. Provide appropriate treatment as recommended by poison control. 4. Notify EMS of the type of poison and any treatment provided. 5. If the patient is able, ask them to remove contaminated clothing, jewelry, and contact lenses from the affected area. 6. If the poison is a dry powder, ask the patient to brush it off. 7. Flush the area with a large amount of clean water for at least 20 minutes. 8. If the eye area experiences poisoning, follow procedures for eye trauma. Anaphylactic Shock Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening emergency. Anaphylactic shock, or anaphylaxis, results from insect bites or stings, medications, pollen, foods, chemicals, or any substance that triggers a severe allergic reaction. Reactions typically occur within seconds to minutes after a sting, inges- tion, or exposure. Patients who know they have allergies usually try to avoid substances that cause reactions. Avoidance is sometimes impossible, so these patients carry an epinephrine auto-injector, which is available only by a prescription. This injector contains a single dose of the drug epineph- rine, and when injected, it counteracts the allergic reaction. ✅ HL245.5. Describe signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock Signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock may include: itching skin and hives itchy, watery eyes a weak and rapid pulse low blood pressure constriction of the airways which causes wheezing and trouble breathing swollen eyes, hands, and feet swollen mouth, lips, tongue, or throat Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 139  warm, tingling feeling in the mouth, lips, face, chest, feet, and hands dizziness ✅ HL245.6. Describe how to provide treatment for anaphylactic shock To treat a patient experiencing anaphylactic shock: 1. Remove the patient from the source causing the allergic reaction. 2. Ask the patient if they have an epinephrine auto-injector. If so, you may assist by preparing the injection but the patient must inject the medication, as you may not inject prescrip- tion medication on your own. Follow your agency’s policy and procedures regarding your ability to administer this type of prescription medication. 3. Arrange for immediate transport. Prompt access to advanced medical care is crucial. 4. Perform an ongoing assessment for life-threatening conditions while waiting for EMS and be prepared to perform CPR or use an AED if available. 140 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2