Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: psychiatric.
“You can go with us, or you can go with them…” Assisting a patient committing suicide is a crime in Georgia, but actually committing suicide is not. Sometimes, in an effort to resolve the situation, the police might be tempted to give the patient an ultimatum, “Go with them or come with us.” There is […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: psychiatric.
Behavior is the way in which someone conducts oneself or behaves. A psychiatric disorder or mental disorders (or mental illnesses) are conditions that affect thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting (chronic). A behavioral emergency is defined as a situation in which a patient presents as being at imminent risk of behaving […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: endocrine.
Clinically, hyperglycemia is blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dL while fasting and greater than 180 mg/dL 2 hours after eating. A patient has impaired glucose tolerance, or pre-diabetes, with a fasting plasma glucose of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL. When hyperglycemia is left untreated, it can lead to many serious life-threatening complications that include damage […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: endocrine.
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. The cells of the body need glucose for energy. A hormone called insulin helps the glucose get into cells. With type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: immunology.
Allergic Reaction Is Localized Allergic reactions primarily only affect the area where the allergen made contact with the patient. Allergic reactions generally only require supportive care. Ice can be applied to the site for pain relief and to decrease the swelling. Anaphylaxis Is Everywhere Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition. Anaphylaxis creates system wide problems for […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: immunology.
An allergic response is a hypersensitive immune reaction to a substance that normally is harmless or would not cause an immune response in everyone. An allergic response may cause harmful symptoms such as itching or inflammation or tissue injury. Allergic reactions Are Localized Allergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. They can be breathed into the lungs, […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: immunology, infectious disease.
The immune system has a vital role: It protects your body from harmful substances, germs and cell changes that could make you ill. It is made up of various organs, cells and proteins. As long as your immune system is running smoothly, you don’t notice that it’s there. But if it stops working properly – […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders, history taking, patient assessment.
Ok, So Where Does It Hurt? Just figuring out exactly where the patient is experiencing pain is a logical first move to being able to figure out the nature of the patient’s problem. Unfortunately, the emergency department is not really in a position to perform definitive test for conditions related to the abdomen. They are […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders.
Hernia A hernia happens when part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak area of muscle. Most hernias are in the abdomen. There are several types of hernias, including: Inguinal, in the groin. This is the the most common type. Umbilical, around the belly button Incisional, through a scar Hiatal, a small […]
Published in AEMT, EMT. Tags: neurology, patient assessment, pediatrics, psychiatric.
What is altered mental status? Altered mental status (AMS) is a disruption in how your brain works that causes a change in behavior. This change can happen suddenly or over days. AMS ranges from slight confusion to total disorientation and increased sleepiness to coma. What causes AMS? AMS can be caused by physical, psychological, and […]