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It's not so much a matter of when or when not to treat, but how judiciously to go about it. Obviously a case by case basis exists, and that's when a clinician comes into play (opposed to a jockey who's just in it to win the race). Post syncopal, 26 y/o in "svt" at 240's. Somnolent 34 y/o...

Probably because of the (R) sided hemiparesis w/ contractures? He did otherwise do an "EMS neuro eval".

So the monitor was misbehaving to the point of completely falsifying electrical signals? From my lukewarm armchair, I'd be with usalfyre and just give a healthy dose of vitamin saline. Was the 50cc bolus limited because of your arrival time, so you just skipped to atropine? Farmer2DO has a...

This is the case in MA, and making a reasonable assumption is similar w/ other states. BLS is allowed to deviate up to 10 minutes to a "further hospital" if pt meets a checklist stable criteria; ALS is allowed 20 minutes w/ similar criteria. Of course there are trauma & STEMI point of entry...

Acute onset nocturnal dyspnea, increased WOB w/ a tinged sputum, poor spO2 despite supplemental oxygenation, pedal/sacral edema, extremely constricted lung sounds, (borderline) htn, and a preexisting cardiac condition (vaguely supportive, but pertinent w/ all the other symptoms). APE/CHF is...

Eh, you more or less got an answer. You wouldn't blindly apply traction splints just because it's a trauma, just as you shouldn't blindly apply cardiac monitoring just because it's a trauma. It's akin to the teacher provoking a thought so the student can answer their own question. :)

We've carried charcoal going back quite a ways now, and like some have said, it's not used that often. For us, statewide, it requires a medical consultation. Removing something because "It's not used often and people forget" is a pretty asinine reason. Hell, on that line of thought lets...

I wouldn't worry too much about your cold sores; just be conscientious about contact and ensure hand washing when contact occurs. You won't be kissing many of your pts... perhaps a consult w/ your PCP and/or a Rx would help you? Acyclovir works wonders. I bolded the part of your first post...

Perhaps he had no known prior hx of PE, however his presentation and social factors (for lack of better word) scream for the strong consideration of PE. He is extremely tachypneic. Has had a recent cva (suggesting preexisting coagulopathies) as well as backing off potentially prescribed "blood...

usaf gave you the best answer. From your perspective of the medics report (which I think has been grossly paraphrased) it is easy to make the assumption they were subpar providers, and perhaps they were. However when you get to deal with your first PE who is severely hypoxic & significantly...

I find it worthless across the board for pedestrians & medical personnel alike. What is the definition of "close proximity"? Would I get a blip for somebody in cardiac arrest that is a mile away? Should I now hop into my vehicle and drive like a bat out of hell, to "beat the ambulance"...

To be brutally honest, some of the most atrocious 3rd riders, applicants and new medics have come through that program in the recent years. It is after all, a total of 700 hours of "training". It is a mill. EDIT: It seems on par with other EMT programs in the area; I was referring to the...

How are you coming to that conclusion? Based on bradypnea w/ hypercapnea? What is the etiology behind those symptoms? Is it CNS insult, or drugs, or pulmonary pathways? Sorry to answer your question w/ more questions, but a yes or no blanket statement doesn't apply

Yes, but it's spelt Sgarbossa's criteria. It apllies to LBBB & internally paced rhythms. The criteria when boiled down is: If there is twave discordance, STE greater than 20% can indicate AMI. If there is twave concordance, STE greater than 2mm can indicate AMI. If there is ST depression...

Where does ice fit into the equation? But if you want a real neat & effecive trick for bleeding control: just stop the heart before going through any of those steps.

Bullseye on the second post. Good shooting partner. Was hoping there might be additional opinions for my own curiosity, but nobody seemed to give a crap about the scenario. :ph34r:

Heh, I'd lean more towards the assumption of her having it than not, given the some sources spout a prevalence of 30%-40% geriatric women having the disease within the US. (before anybody goes ballistic... see the reference below). Given my gross assumption, it doesn't necessarily mean I'd...

It's a beautiful Fall day, but you're stuck working on a rusty private ambulance. You're dispatched at 16:40 for the reported altered mental status. Upon arrival you're met by a middle aged man at the entrance to a well kept residence; the small patch of lawn out front is well cared for and the...

Just a little stream of consciousness but... Regarding the 12 lead: Any abnormalities in the PRI (ex: prolonged, elevated or depressed)? What is the amplitude of the QRS's in the precordial leads (ex: evidence of LVH?). Is there any manifestation of a bundle blockage (ex: rSr leads v1 w/ S...

But not at all shocking, given that drug dependency has become a disease that makes the afflicted eligible for SS, gov't housing and transportation assistance. NOBODY takes personal responsibility anymore (in US at least..). It's always the fault of the deepest pockets. It's McDonalds...