06.12.2012 Views

Adult Medical Emergency Handbook - Scottish Intensive Care Society

Adult Medical Emergency Handbook - Scottish Intensive Care Society

Adult Medical Emergency Handbook - Scottish Intensive Care Society

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

i<br />

• Angina (rate related): treat rate (will depend on cause and rhythm).<br />

• Oesophageal reflux: gaviscon or mucogel.<br />

• Musculoskeletal pain: prescribe appropriate analgesia.<br />

• Pleurisy: treat cause (PE, pneumonia) and give analgesia.<br />

ACUTE SHORTNESS OF BREATH<br />

Use the initial assessment process previously described.<br />

• Give oxygen and establish IV access if appropriate.<br />

• Pulse oximetry is essential and ECG monitoring may be indicated.<br />

Remember if RR > 30 &/or paradoxical breathing - it is serious.<br />

GET HELP EARLY.<br />

• Ensure temp, P, BP, RR, PEFR are all done.<br />

• Organise a CXR.<br />

• Do ECG, take bloods and ABG’s on O 2 recording FiO 2 .<br />

• Based on your clinical judgement commence treatment e.g.<br />

nebulised bronchodilators.<br />

Have a differential diagnosis in mind, such as:<br />

- Asthma<br />

- LVF<br />

- PE<br />

- Pneumonia<br />

- Pneumothorax<br />

- Sepsis<br />

- Metabolic acidosis<br />

• Get bloods etc sorted.<br />

• Write in notes and prescribe drugs including oxygen.<br />

• Reassess when all the information is to hand, and consider<br />

response to initial therapy: better, the same or worse?<br />

TREATMENT<br />

Get help if necessary<br />

Asthma<br />

LVF see appropriate<br />

PE sections<br />

Pneumothorax<br />

Pneumonia<br />

Sepsis<br />

Metabolic acidosis<br />

82 adult medical emergencies handbook | NHS LOTHIAN: UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS DIVISION | 2009/11

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!