Chapter 31 Assisting in a Medical Emergency – Short Answer Questions
Contents
- Assisting in a medical emergency – what you should know
- What to do if someone is having a heart attack
- What to do if someone is choking
- What to do if someone is having a seizure
- Dealing with bleeding
- Assisting someone who has been burned
- Helping a person who has been poisoned
- Dealing with a person who has fainted
- Assisting a pregnant woman in labour
- Helping a person who has been injured
If you’re ever faced with a medical emergency it’s important to know how to assist. Chapter 31 of our course covers the basics of assisting in a medical emergency In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the key concepts from the chapter and answer some short answer questions to test your knowledge.
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Assisting in a medical emergency – what you should know
In any medical emergency, every second counts. The more prepared you are, the better equipped you will be to provide assistance. Here are some key things to remember that could help save a life:
1. remain calm and think clearly
2. assess the situation and call for help if necessary
3. check for signs of life
4. if the person is unresponsive, begin CPR
5. continue CPR until help arrives or the person revives
By being prepared and knowing what to do in a medical emergency, you could make all the difference in a life-or-death situation.
What to do if someone is having a heart attack
If someone you are with begins to experience the symptoms of a heart attack, it is important to act quickly and calmly. The first thing you should do is call 911 and then begin CPR if the person is not breathing or their heart has stopped beating. If you are not trained in CPR, simply push hard and fast on the center of the chest with your palm until help arrives.
If the person is conscious and able to chewing, give them an aspirin as directed by the 911 operator. If they have an automated external defibrillator (AED) nearby, follow the instructions on how to use it.
Do not try to transport the person yourself, unless absolutely necessary. Once medical help arrives, follow their instructions and continue to provide emotional support until the situation has been resolved.
What to do if someone is choking
If someone is choking, it means that their airway is blocked and they are not able to breathe. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.
There are two ways to assist someone who is choking:
1. Use your hands to perform the Heimlich maneuver. This involves placing your hands around the person’s waist and applying quick, upward thrusts until the object blocking their airway is expelled.
2. If you are unable to perform the Heimlich maneuver, you can try to dislodge the object by striking them firmly on the back between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
What to do if someone is having a seizure
If someone you are with has a seizure, follow these steps:
– Stay calm.
– Time the seizure.
– Clear the area around the person. Move anything hard or sharp out of the way.
– Put something soft under the person’s head.
– Turn the person onto one side. This will help to keep their airway clear.
– Do not try to stop the shaking. Do not hold the person down.
– Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. This could injure teeth or cause choking.
– If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if there is a second seizure without regaining consciousness in between, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Dealing with bleeding
There are different types of bleeds, and each requires different treatment. Capillary bleeds are the least serious and can be treated by applying pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Arterial bleeds are more serious, as they involve bleeding from an artery. This type of bleed will require direct pressure on the artery itself in order to stop the bleeding. Venous bleeds are also serious, as they involve bleeding from a vein. This type of bleed can be treated by applying pressure to the vein above the wound in order to stop the bleeding.
Assisting someone who has been burned
If someone has been burned, it is important to act quickly to cool the burn and prevent further injury. Call 911 and then follow these steps:
– Remove any clothing or jewelry that may be constricting the area around the burn.
– Rinse the burn with cool water for at least five minutes. Do not use ice, as this can cause further damage.
– Apply a sterile bandage or cloth to the burn.
– Do not pop any blisters that may have formed.
– If the person is in shock, lay them down and raise their feet about 12 inches off the ground.
Helping a person who has been poisoned
If you are with someone who has been poisoned, the first step is to call for medical help. If the person is not vomiting and is alert, give them water or milk to drink. Do not try to make them vomit unless instructed to do so by a medical professional. If the person is vomiting, lay them on their side to prevent choking. If they are unconscious, open their airway and check for breathing. If they are not breathing, begin CPR.
Dealing with a person who has fainted
If someone faints, it is important to check for a medical ID bracelet or necklace first. If the person has a medical condition that may have caused them to faint, this will give you important information. If the person does not have a medical ID, check to see if they are pregnant. If the person is pregnant, call 9-1-1 and let them know that you are on your way to the hospital.If the person is not pregnant and does not have a medical ID, there are two things you can do to help them. First, you can try to give them something sugary to drink, like fruit juice or soda. Second, you can lay them down with their head lower than their body and raise their legs up in the air. This will help blood flow to their head and may help them regain consciousness.
Assisting a pregnant woman in labour
When labour begins, the expectant mother will experience contractions of the uterus. These contractions help to push the baby down the birth canal and out into the world. As labour progresses, the contractions will become more frequent, more intense, and last longer.
When you arrive on the scene, the first thing you should do is assess the situation. Is the woman in pain? Is she bleeding? Is she having difficulty breathing? Once you have determined that the woman is in labour and not suffering from any other medical condition, you can start to assist her.
First, help her to find a comfortable position. This may be sitting up, lying down, or squatting. Once she is comfortable, help her to focus on her breathing. Encouraging her to breathe deeply will help her to relax and cope with the pain of labour.
Next, help her to bear down properly during each contraction. This means helping her to push with all her might while keeping her mouth open and breathing deeply. It may be helpful for you to place your hands on her lower back and give gentle pressure during each contraction. Finally, be prepared to catch the baby when he or she is born!
Helping a person who has been injured
If you witness an injury, your first step is to call 911. Once emergency responders are on their way, you can provide aid to the person who has been injured. This may include performing CPR or using a defibrillator, if one is available.
If the person is bleeding, you can apply pressure to the wound to help stop the bleeding. If the person is not breathing, you can administer CPR. If the person is having a seizure, you can protect them from injuring themselves and await medical assistance
In any medical emergency, it is important to remain calm and follow the instructions of emergency responders. By taking quick and appropriate action, you can help save a life.