Taking a medical history
Chapter 9. Taking a medical history In medical illness, the history affords 70% of the information on which most diagnoses are made. The history is thus much more important than…
Basic management of the airway and ventilation
Chapter 6. Basic management of the airway and ventilation • Airway management is the cornerstone of emergency care • Airway obstruction producing hypoxia will lead to circulatory arrest and irreversible…
Approaching the scene
Chapter 1. Approaching the scene Heading to the scene • The Road Traffic Act allows certain exemptions to drivers of emergency vehicles who may: • Exceed the statutory speed limit…
Approach to the patient
Chapter 2. Approach to the patient The approach to the patient follows scene safety and scene assessment. In trauma cases you will already have information about the patient’s likely injuries…
An introduction to clinical examination
Chapter 3. An introduction to clinical examination Examination will be described in the order used in the standard approach which is a common theme throughout this book – the <C>ABCDE…
I: CARDIOVASCULAR
Adapted from: Wang K, Asinger RW, Marriott H. ST-segment elevation in conditions other than acute myocardial infarction. N Eng J Med. 2003;349:2128–2135. CHEST PAIN Approach Obtain & review an ECG…
XIV: PEDIATRICS
APPENDICITIS Definition • Inflammation of the appendix History • Diffuse/periumbilical pain → localizing to RLQ, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, irritability (may be the only sx in age <2), fever Physical Findings…
IX: ENDOCRINE & METABOLIC
• Step 4a: Is there an anion gap? Anion gap acidosis: (Na – (Cl + bicarb)) > 14 (see chart) Note: Needs to be corrected for albumin; a fall in…
XVIII: TRAUMA
HEAD TRAUMA Background • Leading cause of traumatic death in pts <25 • 80% mild (GCS 14–15), 10% mod (GCS 9–13), 10% severe (GCS <9) injuries • CPP = MAP…
XVI: TOXICOLOGY
History • Timing, quantity of ingestion/exposure, access to household chemicals/other meds, coingestions, enteric-coated/extended-release substances Physical Exam • VS, pupils, skin, neuro findings (AMS, nystagmus, myoclonus, tremor), peristalsis, smell Evaluation •…
