Chapter 11. Respiratory emergencies Respiratory emergencies are a frequent part of the workload of a pre-hospital clinician. The following definitions are important in managing patients with respiratory problems: • Hypoxaemia…
Chapter 8. Vascular access Intravenous access allows fluids or drugs to be administered. In children, the intraosseous (IO) route is often used. This route is increasingly being used in shocked…
Chapter 9. Taking a medical history In medical illness, the history affords 70% of the information on which most diagnoses are made. The history is thus much more important than…
Chapter 6. Basic management of the airway and ventilation • Airway management is the cornerstone of emergency care • Airway obstruction producing hypoxia will lead to circulatory arrest and irreversible…
Chapter 2. Approach to the patient The approach to the patient follows scene safety and scene assessment. In trauma cases you will already have information about the patient’s likely injuries…
Chapter 1. Approaching the scene Heading to the scene • The Road Traffic Act allows certain exemptions to drivers of emergency vehicles who may: • Exceed the statutory speed limit…
Chapter 3. An introduction to clinical examination Examination will be described in the order used in the standard approach which is a common theme throughout this book – the <C>ABCDE…
Adapted from: Wang K, Asinger RW, Marriott H. ST-segment elevation in conditions other than acute myocardial infarction. N Eng J Med. 2003;349:2128–2135. CHEST PAIN Approach Obtain & review an ECG…
APPENDICITIS Definition • Inflammation of the appendix History • Diffuse/periumbilical pain → localizing to RLQ, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, irritability (may be the only sx in age <2), fever Physical Findings…
• Step 4a: Is there an anion gap? Anion gap acidosis: (Na – (Cl + bicarb)) > 14 (see chart) Note: Needs to be corrected for albumin; a fall in…
