Kids are funny while on the Special K. We were tx a kid for a lac, the PA gave him some Ketamine. Once it kicked it in, he said "mom, now I know why you love drugs so much". It was embarassing for the mother, but really funny for the er.
Simple answer, but the truth. The only other thing that would help a paramedic determine if a patient is truly having an MI would be blood testing for enzymes. Other than that, we have everything we need.
If you are doing 24hr shifts it will be tough. The good thing is you will see first hand the stuff your are learning from a book. That is experience you can't get in a classroom.
This is a simple process. It is ABC for a reason. Check you airway to see if it is patent. Look Listen and feel means look in airway and for chest rise, listen and feel for air movement. Give two breaths if apneic or absent resp. Then check for a pulse at carotid for 5 to 10 seconds. If no...
I like your format Lucis...I am going to steal it
Dispatch: You are responding to a 70 yowf with aloc.
On Arrival: You find a 70 yowf sitting in a chair gazing to the left. Pt appears normal otherwise, but does have difficult time following commands. Family tells you they found her this...
You would obviously need to choose your channel carefully. People are offended by just about everything. I would hate getting called to OPs for music. Save those trips for more serious situations like T-boning a vehicle.
Remember your scenarios will usually start out stable and take a dive over time...especially if you are not moving quickly or performing improper tx.
Trauma is easy...check for pulse, quick assessment, call trauma alert, stop the bleeding, board them, get them to LZ or Helispot.
Medical can...
Did you really spend time searching online which is important? Signs and symtoms are mostly what you observe before you even speak to the pt. SOB, Diaphresis, Skin Color, feeling a pulse...fast or slow...etc... I wouldn't really consider that a question. They are all important for a complete...
My favorite one is we have a hypothermia protocol for ROSC. We cool the body temp to 32 - 34c. It is accomplished with a max of 2 liters of cold NS and 60 of Roc. It is performed only for non-trauma codes.
Yes they are nice but beware when you press that button. Blood splashes out. If you hold a 4x4 in front of the spring loaded system after you have it patent, press the button and look at the blood on the 4x4.
The first time you pull up to a scene and the family or pt looks at you funny because you say "I need to call an ALS unit for you" you will understand why becoming a paramedic is the way to go. Especially if your pt is in cardiac arrest.
ked
I have found that 99% of ems responders apply the ked improperly. The straps are not as important as position of the ked itself. Yes, my baby looks good tonight is a great way to remember it, but most keds are strapped to low on the pt. The arch of the ked should be pulled up to under...