March 22 - Common Medical Emergencies - Laura Magan M.D.

COMMON MEDICAL EMERGENCIES – HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Presenter: Laura Magan, M.D., Baptist Hospital, Internal Medicine

 FIVE COMMON EMERGENCIES YOU MAY FACE

• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Choking
• Seizure
• Hypoglycemia

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT

• Classes for the public available
• Heartsaver First Aid CPR – 2 year certification for $8O
• www.carepointresources.com

 
HEART ATTACK!
Signs/symptoms:

• Clutching chest/Pain in chest, may radiate down left arm or to jaw
• Sweating
• Short of breath
• Collapse
• May refer to indigestion/burping

To Do

• Call 911
• Give aspirin if you have it & if patient is awake/alert (chewable preferable)

 
-          STROKE!
Signs/symptoms:

• One side weak
• Slurred speech
• Facial droop
• Collapse
• Can’t speak at all

To Do

• Call 911
• DO NOT try to give medications

 
CHOKING!
Signs/symptoms:

• Clutching throat, pointing to throat
• Unable to speak/gasping
• Collapse

To Do

• Call 911
• Heimlich maneuver

 
SEIZURE!
Signs/symptoms:

• Shaking of all 4 extremities or one sided
• Eyes rolled back into head
• Collapse

To Do

• Call 911
• DO NOT put anything in mouth
• Roll to left or right side if no evidence of neck injury

 
HYPOGLYCEMIA!
Signs/symptoms:

• Altered mental status, confused, delirious
• Sweating
• May look like a stroke with weakness, collapse

To Do

• Call 911
• If known history of diabetes, may try to give some juice/crackers/food if patient is awake and alert

 
SUMMARY
Common themes:

• 911
• Time is a factor because with stroke and heart attack, there is a time window for best treatment – 3 hours is magic but the sooner the better
• Time is a factor because EMS/ER personnel can alter course of disease/event - if not seen quickly, can lead to death

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