Search results

  1. J

    Sepsis Induced Seizure or Rigors?

    Hey everybody, Had an interesting case the other night that got me thinking. 85 y/o female at a SNF. Patient has a DNR and DNI. Nurse relayed that during med pass the patient was more altered than usual (too frantic to give an accurate/coherent description of normal mental status) and...
  2. J

    Developing Tension Pneumo or Cardiac Tamponade?

    Interesting patient I had the other day. Dispatched for a stabbing you arrive on scene to find one 29 y/o male patient sitting in the middle of a cow pasture. He appears to be in mild distress (anxious), breathing approx 22 times per minute and notes that he was stabbed once in the chest with a...
  3. J

    Trauma Activation

    Dispatched to "rollover with entrapment". You read your CAD notes and realize that it actually states that patient is trapped in between a vehicle and a building (in this case a double wide trailer). You arrive on scene to find a mid sized SUV sitting extremely close to said building. You see a...
  4. J

    Advice Needed

    Hello all, Just graduated from EMT-P school back in December. A little background, I'm 20 years old and now the youngest provisional paramedic in my service. I had about 10 months of EMT experience prior to paramedic school, for most of my career (and school) I've been the "white cloud". I...
  5. J

    Immobilization in Combative Patients

    Hello all, Wanting to start a conversation on combative patients and your local protocols. Mine have moved to not forcing full immobilization and simply placing a C-collar if we have to physically restrain them. Previous to this we had the dinosaur protocol where almost everybody who was...
  6. J

    IV's in Paramedic School

    Hello all, Just entering my 2nd semester of paramedic school. So far I've found the coursework to be the easiest part. Instead of being stressed over tests I'm stressed over IV's. 170 sticks in overall my % sucks. Granted most of those were just "oh I wonder if that vein could be hit with...
  7. J

    Using the King Tube in Trauma

    Hello guys, Just entering my second semester of paramedic school. Trying to fine tune by thought process on the use of the King Tube. In my protocols I'm required to limit intubation to 2 attempts. My question is can the King Tube be used in Trauma? I'm not asking if it is contraindicated but...
  8. J

    Air Trapping?

    Hey guys, Had this pt that absolutely stumped me yesterday. I'm currently in medic school and evaluating this pt was difficult. Dispatched as "breathing problems", arrive on scene to find one elderly male pt sitting in his recliner on home oxygen in no apparent distress. Pt is on home oxygen...
  9. J

    Finding Drug Trade Names

    Hello all, I'm trying to find a good reference for drug trade names in the U.S. My paramedic school instructor wants all the U.S. names. I'm specifically looking for an internet reference because I already have a book reference for all the trade names. The problem then is that I'm not...
  10. J

    CHF?

    Hello all, I"m currently in Semester I of Paramedic and I have about 7 months of EMT-B experience in a rural 911 system (3 to 4 calls a 12 hours shift) under my belt. I had a call the other night that puzzled me. Sorry for the broken history, the medic was getting the history while I was...
  11. J

    Driving Emergency

    Just got my first EMT job with Sumter County EMS (run by Rural Metro) here in FL. I'm 18 yrs. old (almost 19) so my driving experience is minimal. What are some keys for my safety out there on the road? Specifically in regards to emergency I have a few "specific" questions ;) 1) When clearing...
  12. J

    Definition of "Approved by Medical Director"

    Hello all, I'm currently applying for an EMT position with EVAC in Volusia County FL. One of the questions asks if I'm "approved by the medical director to practice as an EMT". Since I haven't landed a job yet and I haven't technically talked with the medical director (even though I am...
  13. J

    Decisions

    Hello all, Just to let you know my background I'm an 18 yr. old guy who enjoys studying my EMT textbook. The problem is I'm in a bit of a pickle, I'm a certified EMT-B in the state of FL. I'm also currently registered for the Spring Semester Medic program at College of Central Florida. I...
  14. J

    Backboarding a Hip fx

    Say you have a pt with a hip fx with noted pn with an obviously shortened limb. This patient shows NO MOI for a C-spine injury, say its an elderly woman who fell in the shower. Would you then backboard the pt since it acts as a big "splint" or would you use the scoop stretcher or maybe a sheet...
  15. J

    Emergency Move/Rapid Extrication/KED

    Hello all, I'm a little bit confused on management of a MVA as an EMT. When I'm on scene is it helpful if I start vehicle stabilization/patient care (treating life threats). What if I find a critical patient in the seated position that needs to be moved to supine for...
  16. J

    Confidence in EMS

    Hey all, I have a question regarding confidence level during patient care. You see during my EMT clinicals I really didn't get that many great calls. Most of my calls were just your normal things (chest pain, elderly patients, falls etc...) along with some IFT. During my first few...
  17. J

    Trauma Code/Order of Interventions

    Hey all, I'm a recent EMT graduate who recently became certified. I have a question for the vets that was not really addressed well in my EMT class. 2010 AHA guidelines state that we should be using CAB in pulseless, apneic patients. It was also stated in my EMT textbook that the AED is...
  18. J

    Type of EMS Around Cambria/Somerset County Pennsylvannia

    Hey All, I'm planning on starting EMT school (with the ultimate goal of paramedic firefighter). I'm interested in the fire portion like most for pay/hours etc... Right now I live in the EMT flooded area of central FL where if you want a good job you have to become a medic. Since this was my...
Top