New Paramedic here.. Bear with me on this scenario..
Dispatched to a board and care for an unresponsive male.
Arrive to find a 77 year old male sitting semi-fowlers in bed with rapid respiratory rate and rapid radial pulse. His eyes are open, not tracking, he is moaning/grunting with every other respiration. Pt is not able to communicate only the grunting noises. Pt is for lack of a better word rigid and unable to follow simple commands.
Per staff pt normally is able to communicate and is oriented to person and place, however is slow to respond. Last time pt seen acting normal is 20 minutes prior to EMS arrival. No complaints of pain or falls/trauma from pt prior to ALOC.
I notice slight facial droop, but staff states this is normal for pt. No hx of stroke.
BP:76/48
PERRL
Resp: 30 clear lung sounds
Sat: 85% room air
Pulse: sinus tach 130
Skin: Pale, cool, dry
Blood glucose: 161mg/dL
12 Lead: Sinus Tach
BP auto-cycles 70/42
Sat: 90% on 15lpm NRB
Hx: Dementia and Diabetes
NKDA
Meds: Namenda, Metformin, Omeprazole
Load him in the ambulance and I prepare to start an IV so I switch BP cuff to right arm and run it again. 188/160 ....(?)... Take the cuff off pt and disconnect it from monitor to make sure all air is out. Reconnect and run it again. 194/170. (Kicking myself right now for not feeling for radial pulse on right arm)
Partner and I miss several IV attempts. 4 minute ride to ER which is a level 3 trauma.
Get last set of vitals:
BP: on initial left arm 78/48
Resp: 26
Sat: 95% on O2
Let Doc know about BP, calls for CT of head and chest..
BP at hospital is 70's/low 50's - bilaterally
Haven't been back to ER yet so I have no news.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Dispatched to a board and care for an unresponsive male.
Arrive to find a 77 year old male sitting semi-fowlers in bed with rapid respiratory rate and rapid radial pulse. His eyes are open, not tracking, he is moaning/grunting with every other respiration. Pt is not able to communicate only the grunting noises. Pt is for lack of a better word rigid and unable to follow simple commands.
Per staff pt normally is able to communicate and is oriented to person and place, however is slow to respond. Last time pt seen acting normal is 20 minutes prior to EMS arrival. No complaints of pain or falls/trauma from pt prior to ALOC.
I notice slight facial droop, but staff states this is normal for pt. No hx of stroke.
BP:76/48
PERRL
Resp: 30 clear lung sounds
Sat: 85% room air
Pulse: sinus tach 130
Skin: Pale, cool, dry
Blood glucose: 161mg/dL
12 Lead: Sinus Tach
BP auto-cycles 70/42
Sat: 90% on 15lpm NRB
Hx: Dementia and Diabetes
NKDA
Meds: Namenda, Metformin, Omeprazole
Load him in the ambulance and I prepare to start an IV so I switch BP cuff to right arm and run it again. 188/160 ....(?)... Take the cuff off pt and disconnect it from monitor to make sure all air is out. Reconnect and run it again. 194/170. (Kicking myself right now for not feeling for radial pulse on right arm)
Partner and I miss several IV attempts. 4 minute ride to ER which is a level 3 trauma.
Get last set of vitals:
BP: on initial left arm 78/48
Resp: 26
Sat: 95% on O2
Let Doc know about BP, calls for CT of head and chest..
BP at hospital is 70's/low 50's - bilaterally
Haven't been back to ER yet so I have no news.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk