HSC 140 - Basic Medical Emergencies

1. Complete certification in Basic Life Support - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid according to the American Heart Association.
   1. Perform to standard a practical cardiopulmonary resuscitation test.
   2. Pass a written exam on cardiopulmonary resuscitation with a score of 84% or higher.
   3. Complete and understand basic first aid training.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of general types of emergencies, a patient's response, and the professional's responsibilities to the patient.
   1. List the major types of medical emergencies that might occur.
   2. Differentiate between the terms medical emergencies and trauma.
   3. Understand first aid basics involved in medical, injury, and environmental emergencies.
   4. Discuss the patient's and family's possible responses to illness.
   5. Explain the general response of a health professional to an emergency situation.
   6. Respond to and manage an emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives.
   7. Define and discuss legal issues in relation to providing emergency care.
3. Utilize assessment information for the purpose of recognizing different medical emergencies.
   1. Discuss the following sources of information:
      1. medical history
      2. assessing the immediate environment and bystanders in the emergency situation
   2. Describe the components of a primary and secondary assessment.
   3. Define signs and symptoms.
   4. Explain what is measured in the body when obtaining the following:
      1. blood pressure reading
      2. pulse rate
      3. respiratory rate
   5. Identify the normal rates/ranges for an adult or a child for the following:
      1. blood pressure reading
      2. pulse rate
      3. respiratory rate
      4. temperature
   6. List possible causes of an abnormally high or low blood pressure reading, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.
   7. List the equipment needed for the measurement of blood pressure reading, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.
   8. Name and explain the component parts of the blood pressure reading.
   9. List some of the common errors in obtaining a blood pressure reading, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.
   10. Describe and demonstrate the steps in obtaining a blood pressure reading, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.
   11. Identify and locate the following pulse points: brachial, radial, carotid.
   12. Recognize strength and rhythm along with rate when palpating a pulse.
   13. State two observations to be made other than the rate when determining the patient's respiratory status.
   14. Identify the proper steps for determining patient’s level of consciousness and how to record it.
   15. State what is determined when evaluating the level of consciousness.
   16. Explain the three signs in skin assessment.
   17. Describe methods of determining body temperature.
   18. Identify the factors that alter body temperature.
   19. Explain the technique of assessing pupil reaction.
   20. List and describe what to look for with a head-to-toe examination.
   21. Demonstrate the ability the accurately document vital patient information.
4. Demonstrate an understand of and recognize the common signs and symptoms manifested by patients with respiratory emergencies. Know the initial emergency measures appropriate for assessment and care of a patient experiencing a respiratory emergency.
   1. Define clinical and biological death, giving the time in which our brain will die if the brain cells do not receive oxygen.
   2. List the signs and symptoms of respiratory distress.
   3. Define cyanosis, dyspnea, and hypoxia.
   4. Describe the following emergencies, their signs and symptoms, and emergency care:
      1. COPD (cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bonchiectasis, and emphysema)
      2. hyperventilation
      3. partial and complete airway obstruction
   5. Explain the accepted maneuvers for opening an airway.
5. Demonstrate understand of and recognize the common signs and symptoms manifested by patients with cardiovascular emergencies. Know the initial emergency measures appropriate for care of a patient experiencing a cardiovascular emergency.
   1. Identify common causes of cardiac compromise and cardio vascular conditions.
   2. Describe the signs and symptoms of a patient experiencing cardiac compromise or cardiovascular disorders.
   3. Differentiate and describe the following emergencies, their signs and symptoms, and emergency care:
      1. angina pectoris
      2. congestive heart failure
      3. myocardial infarction
      4. cerebrovascular accident