MEDICAL EMERGENCIES IN THE DENT
MEDICAL EMERGENCY SIGNS & SYMPTOMS TREATMENT
Adrenal crisis • Collapse • Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
• Pallor • Call 999
• Cold & clammy skin • Lie flat
• Hypotension and Dizziness • Oxygen 15 litres/min
• Vomiting & diarrhoea
Anaphylaxis Signs & symptoms (can vary) can • Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
include: • Call 999
• Oxygen 15 litres/min
• Urticaria&/or angioedema • Lie flat, elevate legs (if breathing not impaired)
• Flushing & pallor • Adrenaline 500 micrograms IM (0.5ml of 1:1000)
• Respiratory distress • Repeat adrenaline at 5 minute intervals if no improvem
• Stridor, wheeze &/or hoarseness
• Hypotension & tachycardia Paediatric doses of adrenaline:
< 6 yrs - 150 micrograms (0.15ml of 1:1000)
Anaphylaxis likely: 6-12 yrs - 300 micrograms (0.3ml of 1:1000)
• Sudden onset & rapid progression > 12 yrs -500 micrograms (0.5ml of 1:1000)
of symptoms
• Life-threatening A &/or B &/or C
• Skin &/or mucosal changes
Asthma Breathlessness & expiratory wheeze • Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
• Sit upright
Severe (adult): inability to complete • 2 puffs (100 micrograms/puff) of short acting beta agon
sentences in one breath, RR>25/min, repeat doses may be necessary
HR>110/min • If patient unable to effectively use inhaler: additional d
• Call 999 if unsatisfactory/no response or if severe/ life th
Severe (child): inability to complete • While awaiting ambulance: oxygen 15 litres/min; up to
sentences in one breath or too using a spacer device should also given (repeated every
breathless to talk or feed, RR > 40 (2-5 • Reassure patient
yrs) or > 30 (> 5 yrs), HR > 140 (2-5 yrs)
or > 125 (> 5 yrs)
Life threatening: cyanosis, poor
respiratory effort, fall in HR, altered
level of consciousness/confusion,
exhaustion
Cardiac emergencies Symptoms can vary; commonly: • Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
• Tightness, heaviness or pain in the • Call 999
chest • Comfortable position (usually sitting up)
• Pain may radiate to neck, jaw • GTN spray 2 activations sub lingual
shoulders, left arm & back • Aspirin 300 mg orally (crushed or chewed) (unless there
• Pallor& sweating •E nsure automated external defibrillator (AED) is immed
• Nausea/vomiting Resuscitation Council UK guidelines
• Breathlessness
NB If history of angina: GTN & rest; where symptoms are
necessary
Epileptic seizures • Sudden collapse& loss of • Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
consciousness • Safe environment: prevent injury, do not put anything
• Rigidity & cyanosis • Note timings of fit
• Jerking movements of limbs • Oxygen 15 litres/min
• Noisy breathing • Once jerking movements cease: recovery position & che
• Tongue may be bitten
• Frothing at mouth Prolonged convulsive seizures (5 minutes or more) or rep
• Incontinence may occur • Midazolam oromucosal solution can be given by the bu
[unlicensed]
Depending on response to treatment, the person’s situat
call 999 particularly if:
• Seizure is continuing 5 minutes after the emergency m
• The person has a history of frequent episodes of serial s
this is the first episode requiring emergency treatment
• There are concerns or difficulties monitoring the person
signs
Paediatric doses of buccal midazolam:
1-5 years - 5mg
5-10 years - 7.5mg
> 10 years – 10mg
• Slurred speech • Offer 15-20g fast acting glucose e.g. 3-4 glucose tablets
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller THEEXCELLENCELIBRARY. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $13.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
