CritterNurse
Forum Captain
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Ok, this is my first time trying to post a scenario. This happened a little while back, so I don't remember the exact numbers, but I know about where they were. My goal here is to find out if there was anything else I should do, because I know I will be seeing this subject again with summer coming.
I get a call on my cell-phone on my way home from work. The subject's family wants me to check him out, but didn't want to call an ambulance. (It's not unknown for people in this rural area to call an EMT directly instead of calling 911, due to nosy neighbors listening to the scanner, or coming over when they see the flashy lights. I am a member of that town's EMS department, so no worries about 'jumping a call')
The subject is reported to have passed out, but had just come around. Was unconscious for about 30 seconds.
I happened to be a couple minutes away, so I went right over. No, I did not have my jump kit with me, I was on my way home from work. Only tool I had with me was the stethoscope I use on animals.
Arrived to find a male in his mid-twenties reclining on the couch with his knees up, a glass of water in one hand, and a strip of marshmallow peeps in the other.
He was pale, sweaty, and a bit shaky. First thing I did was ask for the glucometer that I knew that family had. While they went to get it, I checked his blood pressure with the home blood-pressure cuff they had, and it was a bit low for the subject, but not enough to set off alarm-bells for me. It was somewhere around 110/70. He was usually closer to 120/80 according to family. I don't remember what his respiratory rate was, but it was slightly faster than normal. His pulse was also a bit fast, but I don't remember the number. I know it was not high enough to be called tachycardia though. His blood sugar was in the 130's.
When asked about what he had eaten that day, he responded that he didn't eat much all day, and that he had exerted himself. Subject denied alcohol use. Subject has a history of syncopal events about once a year, usually corresponding to not eating well and exerting himself. The first time this happened he was at work, and was told he was going to the ER. The ER found nothing wrong, and had him on one of those 24 hour heart monitors with no significant findings. The next 3 times it happened at home and he did not go in. One of those times I happened to be over at the house, but this was before I went to school for EMT. This current event is the 5th time this has happened to him. Subject has no significant medical history other than an allergy to mold. No known drug allergies, only medicine he takes is Zyrtec daily for his allergy.
While gathering history, the subject stated he was going to vomit, and proceeded to throw up water, and bits of marshmallow. Subject was advised to sip the ice water, not gulp it.
Subject reported that he was feeling better after vomiting, but he was still visibly sweaty and a bit shaky. I went and made him a PB&J. Subject did not want to go to the hospital because he knew this would pass. Subject could not be convinced, so instead I sat with him for an hour, until he was no longer sweaty or shaky, and vitals were back to his normal rate. I called the next day and the subject was completely back to normal.
I get a call on my cell-phone on my way home from work. The subject's family wants me to check him out, but didn't want to call an ambulance. (It's not unknown for people in this rural area to call an EMT directly instead of calling 911, due to nosy neighbors listening to the scanner, or coming over when they see the flashy lights. I am a member of that town's EMS department, so no worries about 'jumping a call')
The subject is reported to have passed out, but had just come around. Was unconscious for about 30 seconds.
I happened to be a couple minutes away, so I went right over. No, I did not have my jump kit with me, I was on my way home from work. Only tool I had with me was the stethoscope I use on animals.
Arrived to find a male in his mid-twenties reclining on the couch with his knees up, a glass of water in one hand, and a strip of marshmallow peeps in the other.
He was pale, sweaty, and a bit shaky. First thing I did was ask for the glucometer that I knew that family had. While they went to get it, I checked his blood pressure with the home blood-pressure cuff they had, and it was a bit low for the subject, but not enough to set off alarm-bells for me. It was somewhere around 110/70. He was usually closer to 120/80 according to family. I don't remember what his respiratory rate was, but it was slightly faster than normal. His pulse was also a bit fast, but I don't remember the number. I know it was not high enough to be called tachycardia though. His blood sugar was in the 130's.
When asked about what he had eaten that day, he responded that he didn't eat much all day, and that he had exerted himself. Subject denied alcohol use. Subject has a history of syncopal events about once a year, usually corresponding to not eating well and exerting himself. The first time this happened he was at work, and was told he was going to the ER. The ER found nothing wrong, and had him on one of those 24 hour heart monitors with no significant findings. The next 3 times it happened at home and he did not go in. One of those times I happened to be over at the house, but this was before I went to school for EMT. This current event is the 5th time this has happened to him. Subject has no significant medical history other than an allergy to mold. No known drug allergies, only medicine he takes is Zyrtec daily for his allergy.
While gathering history, the subject stated he was going to vomit, and proceeded to throw up water, and bits of marshmallow. Subject was advised to sip the ice water, not gulp it.
Subject reported that he was feeling better after vomiting, but he was still visibly sweaty and a bit shaky. I went and made him a PB&J. Subject did not want to go to the hospital because he knew this would pass. Subject could not be convinced, so instead I sat with him for an hour, until he was no longer sweaty or shaky, and vitals were back to his normal rate. I called the next day and the subject was completely back to normal.