Module 12: Emergency Procedures

Section 1: Define Key Terminology

• A. Review Terms
  • Go through the list of terms in the terminology section.
• B. Spelling
  • Ensure correct spelling of all listed items.
• C. Pronunciation
  • Focus on correct pronunciation.
• D. Context Usage
  • Use terms appropriately in context.

Section 2: Common Signs and Symptoms of Conditions

Myocardial Infarction (MI)/Heart Attack

• Definition: Blood flow disruption to heart muscle, tissue death.
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • Chest pain (crushing, squeezing)
  • Pain radiating to arms, jaw, back
  • Shortness of breath, diaphoresis, confusion
  • Anxiety, syncope, weakness, nausea
  • Irregular pulse
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Call for help, pull emergency light
  • Stay calm, comfort patient
  • Reassure, assess condition and vital signs

Cardiac Arrest

• Definition: Absence of heart function.
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • No pulse, no circulation
  • Loss of consciousness, no breathing
  • Enlarged pupils, gray skin
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Follow trained procedures and call for help

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke

• Definition: Obstruction of blood flow to brain area.
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • Hemiplegia, aphasia, headache
  • Vision changes, facial asymmetry
  • Loss of control, shaking
• Stroke Tools:
  • Give Me Five: Walking, Talking, Reaching, Seeing, Feeling
  • FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Call for help, comfort patient, assess condition

Syncope

• Definition: Fainting, dizziness, temporary consciousness loss.
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • Dizziness, visual changes, pallor
  • Cool, moist skin, weak pulse
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Remain calm, assist to floor
  • Elevate legs, observe changes

Seizures

• Definition: Brain electrical activity interference.
• Types:
  • Absence (petite mal), Generalized (tonic-clonic)
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • Daydreaming, uncontrolled contractions
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Assist to ground, cushion head
  • Call for help, observe
  • Do not restrain or insert anything in mouth

Insulin Shock

• Definition: Hypoglycemia from insulin overdose.
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • Pale skin, rapid pulse
  • Confusion, weakness, low blood pressure
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Stay calm, call for help
  • Administer snack if instructed

Hemorrhaging

• Definition: Severe, unexpected blood loss.
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • External bleeding (arterial, venous, capillary)
  • Internal bleeding signs (vomiting blood, black/tarry stool)
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Apply pressure, elevate limb

Shock

• Definition: Cardiovascular system failure.
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • Pale, cold skin, rapid pulse
  • Shallow breathing, confusion
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Call for help, maintain airway

Respiratory Distress

• Definition: Altered breathing effort.
• Signs/Symptoms:
  • Shortness of breath, cyanosis
  • Anxiety, confusion
• Nurse Assistant Role:
  • Stay with patient, elevate head

Section 3: Immediate Interventions in Medical Emergency

• Advanced Directives:
  • Includes Full Code, Do Not Resuscitate, Living Will, Power of Attorney
• Immediate Interventions:
  • CPR guidelines, check consciousness, circulation, airway, breathing

Section 4: Causes and Signs of Choking

• Causes:
  • Foreign body, tongue, small objects
• Signs:
  • Inability to breathe, high-pitched sounds
• Relief: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)

Section 5: Common Emergency Codes in Long-Term Care Facilities

• Code Red: Fire
• Code Blue: Adult medical emergency
• Code Yellow: Bomb threat
• Code Gray: Combative person
• Code Silver: Person with weapon
• Code Orange: Hazardous spill
• Considerations: Adjust for hearing/sight impaired residents