PHECC Paramedic flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Adrenaline dose in adult cardiac arrest
- Give 1 mg intravenously or intraosseously every 3 to 5 minutes during resuscitation, starting after the second shock in shockable rhythms or immediately in non-shockable rhythms.
- Amiodarone in refractory VF
- Give a 300 mg IV/IO bolus after the third shock when VF or pulseless VT persists, with a further 150 mg bolus permitted after the fifth shock.
- Anaphylaxis adrenaline dose adult
- Give 0.5 mg of 1 mg/mL adrenaline intramuscularly into the anterolateral thigh, repeating every 5 minutes if there is no improvement.
- ETCO2 during CPR
- A value below about 1.3 kPa (10 mmHg) suggests poor compression quality or tube misplacement, while a sudden sustained rise suggests return of spontaneous circulation.
- Synchronised cardioversion indication
- Used for unstable tachycardias that have a palpable pulse, delivering shocks timed to the QRS complex to avoid inducing ventricular fibrillation.
- Needle decompression site
- For tension pneumothorax, insert a needle at the second intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line or the fourth to fifth space in the anterior axillary line.
- Adult CPR compression parameters
- Compress at 100 to 120 per minute to a depth of 5 to 6 cm, allow full chest recoil, and keep interruptions shorter than 10 seconds.
- Ventilation with advanced airway
- Once an advanced airway is in place, deliver one breath every 6 seconds (about 10 per minute) while compressions continue without pausing.
- STEMI prehospital action
- Recognise ST elevation in two contiguous leads, give aspirin 300 mg chewed, and activate the primary percutaneous coronary intervention pathway without delay.
- Naloxone titration principle
- Titrate naloxone to restore adequate ventilation rather than full consciousness, and monitor closely because its duration of action is shorter than most opioids.
- Paediatric defibrillation energy
- Use 4 joules per kilogram for the first shock and subsequent shocks, using the largest pads that fit without touching each other.
- Stroke onset documentation
- Record the exact time of symptom onset or last known well, because this determines eligibility for thrombolysis and thrombectomy.
- Oxygen target saturations
- Titrate oxygen to 94 to 98 percent for most adults, but to 88 to 92 percent for patients at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure.
- SAMPLE history
- A structured history covering Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading to the incident.
- OPQRST pain assessment
- A mnemonic for pain: Onset, Provocation and Palliation, Quality, Region and Radiation, Severity, and Time.
- Late sign of shock
- Falling blood pressure is a late sign of shock; earlier features include tachycardia, pale clammy skin, delayed capillary refill and anxiety.
- Spinal motion restriction indication
- Apply restriction based on mechanism combined with symptoms or examination findings, not mechanism alone, and reassess neurological status after application.
- Adult respiratory rate range
- A normal adult respiratory rate is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute; rates outside this range are abnormal and should prompt further assessment.
- Infant and child CPR ratio
- When two rescuers are present, use 15 compressions to 2 ventilations for infants and children, compared with 30 to 2 for adults.
- Recovery position purpose
- A lateral position with the head tilted back and upper leg flexed maintains a clear airway in an unresponsive patient who is breathing normally.
- Adult choking sequence
- Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, alternating and reassessing after each cycle.
- Tourniquet application
- Apply proximal to a limb wound when direct pressure fails, tighten until bleeding stops, and record the time of application for hospital staff.
- Febrile convulsion first aid
- Protect the child from injury, do not restrain or put anything in the mouth, and place the child in the recovery position once the seizure ends.
- AED pad placement
- Apply pads to a bare, dry chest, follow the voice prompts, and ensure nobody touches the patient during rhythm analysis and shock delivery.
- Community paramedicine aim
- To reduce avoidable emergency department attendance and hospital admission by providing assessment, treatment and referral in the patient's own home.
- Heart failure red flags
- Rapid weight gain, worsening breathlessness, orthopnoea and increasing oedema suggest decompensation and require prompt escalation to medical care.
- COPD action plan elements
- Include smoking cessation support, inhaler technique review and written guidance on when to seek help, such as increased sputum purulence or breathlessness.
- Falls risk assessment domains
- Assess medication burden, home hazards, vision, gait and balance, and postural hypotension in older adults who have fallen or report recurrent falls.
- Frailty assessment domains
- Consider falls, cognition, continence, nutrition and polypharmacy together, because deterioration in one area often precipitates a crisis in another.
- Safeguarding referral trigger
- Unexplained injuries, delayed presentation, fear or an inconsistent history in a vulnerable adult should prompt a safeguarding referral.
- Capacity assessment principle
- A person is presumed to have capacity unless assessment shows they cannot understand, retain, weigh or communicate a decision.
- Community safety-netting advice
- Document the agreed care plan and the specific symptoms or timeframes that should prompt the patient to seek further help.