Recent content by So. IL Medic

I think I have a relative of this pt - every time he gets drunk, he tries to off himself in the most inept ways possible. One of the last times was sitting in his car, in the garage, with the car running....but he left the garage window open and the car ran out of gas....

Besides everything?

While it is true that infection from HIV+ healthcare workers to a patient is very rare, that doesn't seem to be the case here. In reading the article, it appears that the medic worked on first patient then worked on this woman - without changing gloves. That would be literally contacting her...

Generally, it does take quite a bit. My first energy drink OD was for a call by a police officer for a medical assessment on a traffic stop. He stopped a man in his 70's for erratic driving and was puzzled by the man's equally erratic behavior. When we got there, he was swaying, jerky movements...

IMHO - gently flush the hand with NS and lightly dress the hand w/ 4x4's and roller gauze. Anything that didn't flush out stays.

True, glucagon stimulates glycogenolysis as it's primary action. However, two things to consider. One, it typically takes two to three days to deplete glycogen stores with normal activity enough for ketone metabolic pathways kick in as a supplement. Two, as glycogen stores deplete, pyruvate...

Repeat to class - never go as far as the first dead canary

Ah the joys of 911 abuse

In this case, I would agree to get a patent airway established before loading unless I couldn't get it quickly. Then load and keep trying. For arrests scenarios in general, I initially work it where the patient lies first - meaning monitor/defib, airway, IV, first round of drugs then go.

"Because our protocols don't allow accessing that route." Easy enough.

My first reaction was to admin glucagon IM while you debated to IO or not to IO.... Then if this hypothetical pt worsened towards arrest number four, then go with the IO. Any complications would be easier to treat than death. Unfortunately around here, any attempt to access a fistula or...

In this part of the state, all the nursing programs now require completion of and work experience as a CNA. It's not a government thing but a school specific policy...probably why it was sucessfully implemented. Let's see...when I drop off a pt for a direct admit, CNAs take the vitals...

The only hard and fast contraindications we have is the universal fx at or above the IO site and infection, like cellulitis at the IO site. Caution with severe osteoporosis is included. Otherwise the greater concern is that if you are grabbing for your IO setup then the patient must require...

Around here, all nursing students must start as CNAs now.