Resuscitation

• AED


  Automated External Defribilator

  a medical device used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest

  it can analyse the heart's rhythm + if necessary, deliver an electrical shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm
• Heimlich Manoeuvre


  used to treat upper airway obstructions caused by foreign bodies
• Cardiac Arrest


  when the heart has suddenly stopped pumping - electrical problem w the heart
• Chest Compression


  the act of applying presure to the patient's chest in order to help blood thru the heart in emergency situations
• Chest Recoil


  technique of takiing all of ur weight off of the chest between each compression to allow the chest to fully expand
• CPR


  Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation

  involves repated cycles of compression of the chest + artificial respiration, performed to maintain blood circulation + oxygenation in a patient who has suffered a cardiac arrest
• Defibrilation

  the stopping of fibrillation of the heart by administering a controlled electric shock to allow restoration of the normal rhythm
• DNR


  Do Not Reuscitate

  = if a person has a cardiac arrest, there will be guidance on what action should/shouldn't be taken by a healthcare professional
• DRSABCD


  first aid action plan that helps ppl in life-threatening situations

  Danger - check for any dangers to urself, bystanders + the patient

  Response - check if the person is conscious + responsive

  Send for help - call 999

  Airway - check if airway is clear

  Breathing - check for norm breathing

  Compressions - if the person isn't breathing properly, 30 compressions + 2 breaths

  Defibrilation if available
• FAST


  visible signs of a stroke

  Face - check for asymetry of the face (drooping)

  Arms - weakness/numbness in one arm/unable to lift one arm

  Speech - incoherent speech/slurred speech

  Time - respond quickly
• Atrial Fibrilation


  an irregular heartbeat that occurs when the electrical signals in the atria fire rapidly + irregularly

  = makes the heart muscle unable to relax between contractions, reducing the heart's efficiency

  
• Ventricular Fibrillation


  occurs when the electrical signals tell the heart muscle to quiver (fibrillate) = inefficient pumping

  
• Heart Attack


  a circulation problem where blood suppl that brings oxygen to the heart is blocked in the coronary arteries
• Recovery Position


  a position used in first aid to maintain a patent airway + prevent choking in unconscious patients

  
• Rescue Breath


  a technique that involves exhaling into the airway + lungs of a person who has stopped breathing
• Cardiac Arrest - Sino-Atrial Node


  if something goes wrong w the SA node, there is an electrical malfunction = the heart will be erreatic b4 it eventually stops
• Heart Attack


  heart attack = myocardial infarction

  the heart hasn't stopped but there is a blockage in the coronary artery/rupture
• Symptoms of Heart Attack


  pressure, tightness, pain or a squeezing/aching sensation in chest or arms that may spread to neck/back/jaw

  nausea/indigestion/heartburn/abdominal pain

  shortness of breath

  cold sweat

  fatigue

  feeling faint/sudden dizziness
• 3 Types of Strokes

  ischaemic stroke

  haemorrhagic stroke

  transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs)
• Ischamic Stroke

  a blood clot has blocked an artery that is supplying blood to the brain which will cut the blood supply off all together

  this may have happened if the artery has already narrowed over time thru vascular disease
• Haemorrhagic Stroke


  a blood vessel has ruptured causing a bleed w in the brain

  this will cause pressure inside the skull = can affect the brain cells beyond repair
• Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs)


  if there is a brief reduction in blood suply to the brain but not a complete stoppage then this is classed as a TIA

  sometimes temporary symptoms can occur like loss of speech but the symptoms usually pass w in 24 hrs w out any lasting damage

  a person can have multiple TIAs in multiple locations w in the brain
• Chain of Survival


  the Chain of Survival was created to illustrate the important links between the 4 stages of resucitation

  if the chain is broken/delayed at any time, the chances of survival will drop

  
• People That Are at Increased Risk of Choking


  reduced consciousness

  drug and/or alchohol intoxication

  neurological impairment w reduced swallowing + cough reflexes - stroke + Parkinson's disease

  respiratory disease

  mental impairment

  dementia

  poor dentition + older age
• Mild VS Severe Airway Obstruction


  if the person is able to speak, cough + breathe = mild obstruction

  if the perosn is unable to speak, weakening cough, struggling/unable to breathe = severe airway obstruction
• Adults Choking


  choking in adults = diff treatment to children

  
• Paediatric Foreign Body Airway Obstruction


  paediatric choking

  
• Adult CPR


  anyone over age of 12 should receive adult CPR

  kneel to side of patient

  ensure heel of dominant palm is in contact w chest + non-dominant on top for support

  when compressing, keep ur arms locked + straight = 5cm in depth compressions

  speed = 100-120 bpm

  while giving CPR, should be looking for signs as u transfer from breaths to compressions
• Speed of CPR


  going too slow will not allow the blood to be pumped around the body quickly enough, leaving vital organs under perfused

  going too fast won't allow the heart to recoil + fill w vital blood

  recoil is important - if u don't allow the chest to recoil, heart can't fill w blood + lungs can't fill w air
• Rib Breaking During CPR


  cracking sound druring CPR = cartilage in sternum/ribs breaking not ribs themselves

  keep going despite that
• Guidline for Rescue Breaths


  follow this

  
• Paediatric CPR 


  if a child is choking then they have gone into respiratory arrest first which if left untreated has become a cradiac arrest

  give 5 rescue breaths b4 u start CPR

  15:2 rescue breaths

  
• Automatic External Defebrillator (AED)


  once u switch it on, it will issue instruction on how to plug the pads in, when to to place them on patient + where to as shown on the diagrams on the pads

  once connected, AED will give verbal commands to analyse heart rhythm, ask to stand clear of patient

  if heart isn't shockable, command to cont CPR b4 analysing again

  shockable rhythm, AED will charge, stand clear + push shock button, check for signs of life/cont CPR
• Paediatric Usage of AEDs


  if using an AED on child younger than 8, a paediatric restricted shock energy should be used if possible

  = use of paediatric electrode pads/child key

  paediatric electrode pads r typically smaller + diff colour

  instructions + pad placement illustrations will depict a small child/infant

  child key - illustrations of proper palacement of adult electrode pads on child
• Heart Rhyths Associated with Cardiac Arrest

  heart rhythms associated w cardiac arrest r divided into groups

  = shockable rhythms + non-shockable rhythms
• Shockable Heart Rhythms


  shockable rhythms - ventricular fibrilation/pulseless ventricular tachychardia
• Non-Shockable Heart Rhythm


  non-shockable rhythms - asystole + pulseless electrical activity (PEA)

  the AED is capable of detecting all 4 rhythms so it knows when to shock + when not to
• When to Stop CPR


  person recovers consciousness - place them into recovery position + cont to monitor closely

  stop when the AED tell you to so it can analyse the heart rhythm

  when help arrives + able to take over

  too tired to carry on
• Situations When you DON'T Attempt CPR


  u r in some sort of danger/would be dangerous to approach the person

  patient has a DNR (Do Not Reuscitate) - must see OG signed copy, not tattoo, not photocopy, not a relative telling u that the patient has one
• Advance Decision


  advance decision (Living Will) = agreed document between patient + their doctor, often following a long discussion about the patient's wishes to refuse a specifc type of treatment at some time in the future

  a patient has the right to refuse a treatment that could potentially keep them alive = life-sustaining treatment

  = can inc CPR if they suffer a cardiac arrest