EMT Lessons Overview

Introduction

• Focus on three key EMT lessons:
  • Heart blood flow
  • Four types of shock
  • Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic
• Aimed at preparing for EMT school and national registry exams.

Heart Blood Flow

• Superior Vena Cava (SVC) and Inferior Vena Cava (IVC):
  • SVC is above; IVC is below; both bring deoxygenated blood to the heart.
  • Blood flows towards the heart via veins.
• Heart as a pump:
  • Works with lungs to oxygenate blood.
• Blood Flow Path:
  • Blood enters right atrium → right ventricle via tricuspid valve.
  • Right ventricle sends blood to lungs via pulmonary artery to get oxygen.
  • Oxygenated blood returns to left atrium via pulmonary veins.
  • Moves to left ventricle and pumped to body through aorta.

Four Types of Shock

• Shock Definition:
  • Hypoperfusion: inadequate blood/oxygen supply to body.
• Types of Shock:
  1. Cardiogenic Shock: Heart-related, e.g., heart attack (MI) or CHF.
  2. Obstructive Shock: Blood flow blocked (e.g., tension pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism).
  3. Distributive Shock: Abnormal distribution, includes:
     • Sepsis: Bacterial infection in bloodstream.
     • Anaphylaxis: Severe allergic reaction affecting multiple body systems.
     • Neurogenic: Related to brain/spinal cord.
     • Pearl: Distributive shock can't compensate like other shocks, leads to abnormal low blood pressure.
  4. Hypovolemic Shock: Blood/fluids loss (e.g., dehydration, bleeding).

Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic

• Sympathetic (Fight or Flight):
  • Releases epinephrine and norepinephrine.
  • Effects: dilated pupils, increased heart rate, relaxed lungs, inhibited digestion.
• Parasympathetic (Rest and Digest):
  • Opposite effects: constricted pupils, decreased heart rate, activated digestion.
• Analogies:
  • Sympathetic like a person on cocaine (alert, active), parasympathetic like one on heroin (calm, slow).

Conclusion

• Emphasis on understanding these core topics to aid in EMT education and exam success.
• Further resources and a video vault are available for comprehensive learning support.