Frontline First Aid First Aid - What to Look For and What to Do

Transcription

1 First Aid - What to Look For and Hyperventilation Rapid Shallow Breathing A feeling of suffocating or not getting enough air Relax Reassure Fear Anxiety Breathe slowly Asthma Wheeze when exhaling Unable to catch breath Chest tightening Comfortable position Help with prescribed medication Gasping for air Upset Tingling hands or feet Slow down breathing Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack - TIA One-sided facial numbness or weakness Slurred speech Sudden severe headache Sudden loss of bladder control Rest Recovery position with affected side up One-sided arm numbness or weakness Difficulty speaking or understanding Unconsciousness Reassure Internal Bleeding Bruising Pain Anxiety Rest in the most comfortable position Soft tissues that are tender swollen or hard Blood in saliva or vomit Severe thirst Forceful blow to the body Page 1 of 10

2 First Aid - What to Look For and Allergic Reaction Rash Hives Calm Identify allergen Watch for signs of increasing distress Calamine lotion Itching Tight chest or throat Reassure Avoid further contact with allergen Doctor recommended over the counter medication Cool compresses Anaphylaxis of lips, face, neck, ears or hands Skin redness Raised itchy blotchy rash Hives Breathing difficulty Coughing Wheezing High pitched noises Swollen tongue or throat Help with epinephrine Check pockets to ensure epinephrine will not get blocked Calm person Slow breathing Comfortable position Additional medication if person chooses Ensure 911 has been notified that epinephrine is being used Anxiety Cool clammy skin Excessive thirst Loss of consciousness Care for cause of the shock Comfort Rest Pale skin Rapid breathing Drowsiness Keep warm Reassurance Page 2 of 10

3 First Aid - What to Look For and Angina Chest pain lasting less than 10 minutes Chest pain that goes away with rest Chest pain that is relieved by medication Heart Attack Squeezing chest pain Problems breathing Abdominal or back pain Cold sweaty skin Pale or bluish skin Denial Jaw pain Mild unfocused chest discomfort Tiredness Gastric discomfort Flu-like symptoms Rest comfortably Assist with Nitroglycerin after checking 5 Rights and asking about E.D. drugs Assist with ASA after checking 5 Rights and ensuring no Asthma or allergy Infection Pus Heat or warmth Seek medical attention Redness Tenderness Red streaks Fever Penetrating Chest Injuries Difficulty breathing Sucking sound from wound Coughing blood Gasping Rest in a comfortable position Leave downward side of dressing open Bleeding from open chest wound Severe pain Blood bubbling from wound Cover wound with airtight dressing Occasionally raise open side of dressing Page 3 of 10

4 First Aid - What to Look For and Blunt Chest Injuries Pain Keep head and spine as still as possible Deformity Bruising Guarded shallow breathing Flail Chest Difficulty breathing Crunching/grinding sounds in chest Bruising on chest Treat as a blunt chest injury Keep person still Painful breathing Uneven rising of chest Deformity Hold a bulky towel against the chest Head and Spine Injuries Change in level of consciousness or behaviour Drowsiness Severe pain or pressure in the head, neck or back Blood or clear fluid from ears or nose Heavy bleeding from head, neck or back Unusual bumps on the head, neck or back Difficulty breathing Vision problems Unequal pupil size Persistent headache Inability to use a leg or arm Tingling Loss of feeling Unusually positioned neck or back Disorientation Loss of balance Bruising around eyes Bruising behind ears Bruising on head Loss of bladder/bowel control Tell the person not to move Move the head and spine as little as possible Gently support the head in position found Leave helmet unless interfering with ABCs Perform secondary survey without letting go of head Log roll if person vomits Page 4 of 10

5 First Aid - What to Look For and Concussion Temporary loss of consciousness Saw stars Memory loss Follow steps for care of head and spine injuries Blacked out Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries Pain Deformity Bruising Limited use of body part Bone or bone fragments sticking out Bones grating Muscle cramps Snap or pop when injury happened Rest Immobilize Cold pack 20 minutes per hour for first hours Elevate wound above heart Ask about numbness/tingling before and after splinting Pad splints for comfort Splint only if ambulance delayed Remove rings Call if fingers/toes are bluish, cold, numb or tingling Diabetic Emergencies Changes in level of consciousness Rapid breathing Pale skin Looking and feeling ill Offer sugary drink if conscious Recovery position Changes in behaviour Cool sweaty skin Appearance of intoxication Medic Alert Recommend complete meal if condition improves Page 5 of 10

6 First Aid - What to Look For and Shaking or contraction of limbs Sense of urgency to get to safety Appearance of daydreaming Eyes rolling upward Never put anything in person s mouth Protect person from injury Protect head with blankets Recovery position after seizure Altered consciousness Hallucinations Uncontrollable muscle movement Drool or foam in mouth Allow person to move without restraint Move furniture Ensure there are no fluids in the mouth after the seizure Keep warm and comfortable Frostnip/Frostbite Pain Waxy skin Burning sensation Tenderness Remove from cold environment Protect blisters with loose dry dressings Medical attention for frostbite Stinging Skin paler than surrounding area Skin cold, hard and solid to touch Redness Blisters Warm affected area gradually if you can keep it warm Gauze between fingers or toes Snow Blindness Redness Pain itchiness or burning sensation in the eyes Place person in darker environment Cool damp cloths Page 6 of 10

7 First Aid - What to Look For and Mild Hypothermia Shivering and complaining of cold Body temperature slightly below normal Moderate Hypothermia Shivering and complaining of cold Lack of coordination or speech Unusual behaviour Impaired judgement Severe Hypothermia Person has stopped shivering Person has stopped complaining of cold Lack of coordination or speech Unusual behaviour Impaired judgment Body temperature below 30 C Breathing slowed or stopped Unconscious Stiffness Treat person gently Get person away from cold Remove wet clothing Dry person Rewarm slowly by wrapping with blankets and covering head and neck If medical aid is delayed; rewarm actively with hot water bottles wrapped in blankets Warm liquids Heat Cramps Muscle contractions Moist skin Cool water Fluids to drink Normal body temperature Rest in a cool place Stretch and massage cramped muscles Page 7 of 10

8 First Aid - What to Look For and Heat Exhaustion Normal or raised body temperature Red or pale skin Exhaustion Rest in a cool place Remove sweat soaked clothing Fan the person Avoid more activity in the heat that day Moist skin Loosen tight clothing Cool water on the skin Small sips of cool water Treat for heat stroke if condition worsens Heat Stroke Body temperature as high as 41 C Irritable, bizarre or aggressive behaviour Rapid weak pulse Rapid shallow breathing Rest in a cool place Immerse body in cool water Fan the person Small sips of cool water Red hot dry skin Progressive loss of consciousness Irregular pulse Cool body any way you can Sponge body with cool water Covered ice packs in groin, armpits and back of neck Swallowed Poisons Open container of poison Increased production of saliva Abdominal cramps Drowsiness Burning sensation in mouth, throat or stomach Call Poison Control Center Induce vomiting if directed by dispatcher or Poison Control Burns around mouth Abnormally coloured saliva Unconsciousness Diarrhea Check packaging of poison Bring or send poison container to hospital Page 8 of 10

9 First Aid - What to Look For and Inhaled Poisons Breathing difficulty Cloudy air Unusual smell in the air Call Poison Control Do not enter hazardous area Unconsciousness Irritated eyes nose or throat Bluish color around mouth Get person to fresh air Absorbed Poisons Rash Hives Burning Blisters Call Poison Control Flush skin with water for 15 minutes Unconsciousness Itching Burns Remove substance from skin Injected Poisons Puncture wound Redness and swelling at entry point Prescription medications or illegal drugs nearby Call Poison Control Center Rest in a comfortable position Pain Problems breathing Keep puncture site below heart Alcohol Poisoning Low body temperature Pale skin Slow or irregular breathing Recovery position Blue tinged skin Unconsciousness Page 9 of 10

10 First Aid - What to Look For and Lyme Disease Rash in a small red area spreading 5-7 inches across Headache Joint and muscle pain Arthritis Stiff neck Irregular heartbeat Memory loss Seek medical attention as soon as possible Fever Flu Vision or hearing problems Rapid heartbeat High fever Substance Misuse and Abuse Moist skin Chills Changes in breathing Sweating Altered mental status Look for abnormal breathing skin colour Flushed skin Fever Changes in level of consciousness behaviour temperature or moisture Page 10 of 10