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In addition to what Matt said above, one of the ways I check for proper placement of the stethoscope head is that I actually feel/palpate the location of the brachial artery. Once I find it, I KNOW exactly where to put the stethoscope head. One other way I verify that I'm in the right place is...

Simply put, it's a window into the state of the brain... and noting changes in the pupils can be as, or more, important than a single assessment in the setting of head injury.

As stated above, there are a number of instances when there's a complaint of SOB but still oxygenating well. Most SpO2 sensors that I know of are only capable of determining the percentage of hemoglobin that's bound to something (usually oxygen) or not bound to something. Carbon Monoxide binds...

In light of recent threads, and to encourage study by the OP of all these threads, I'm closing this and related threads.

On that note, I'm closing this, and related threads.

I'm closing this, and related threads.

You've asked quite a number of questions that should all be covered in class or thorough your reading assignments. We're not going to answer these questions for you.

That's an excellent question. While I know what I might do, my scope of practice is very highly likely different from what yours is going to be. Ask your instructor and/or read your textbook. We're not going to answer your question for you. This is stuff you should be getting in class or through...

Assessment and treat according to what your protocols/guidelines state. Difficulty breathing/Shortness of Breath can be difficult to deal with because the underlying cause can be quite varied. Even anxiety can be a cause of this.

yes. given that it's been nearly 20 years and that I've not heard of any litigation... I'm kind of surprised about that.

Yes, this was a real thing. It was RLS for EVERYTHING. When that happened, the system was running so low in availability, the system required all ambulances to respond, transport, and do post moves all RLS just to minimize the time that the system had NO available units. They were acutely aware...

My wife is currently binge-watching "Young Sheldon" (no, I'm not into either BBT or YS) but one of the episodes ended with a couple characters doing bowel prep together. Suddenly I was struck with a vicious thought. Make that stuff actually tasty (and ensure it's non-toxic) and make sure it...

Apparently we all are... I've rarely heard of such a patient brought emergently to the ED outside of a system-level order requiring ALL ambulance movements (dispatch, transports, post move-ups) being done emergently.

I have seen ketamine fail, Ativan fail, Geodon fail in these patients. These patients are not always high on some medication, but for whatever reason they present in delirium. Sometimes with these patients, the best course of action is RSI. Excited delirium patients are at risk for death simply...

Code 1 is "routine" Code 2 is urgent but no lights/sirens. Obey all traffic laws. Code 3 is lights/sirens, drive with due regard for safety of others and don't throw the people in the back around... Code 1 is basically that you're doing round-trips to/from medical appointments, dialysis, etc...

Slightly altered (maybe), following commands, and treating with the sweet tea and improvement in BG level? I wouldn't take that one Code 3 to the hospital. Your medic and driver should have made a safer decision unless protocol by their EMS agency requires Code 3 travel for patients who are/were...

Was the patient alert/oriented or was the patient acutely altered? Was the BG level verified by a separate fingerstick reading? If the patient is acutely altered and can't take PO dextrose (or perhaps that very sweet tea), I can see/rationalize load & go with a code 3 transport if the crew is...

I doubt the 2 year old was taking Viagra for erectile dysfunction. Take a look at what Viagra/Sildenafil can also be used to treat. Should give you some insight as to what underlying problem the kid has.

My statement above was not limited to EMTs being allowed to ONLY assist patients with their meds. If there are meds that BLS may administer under their own protocols, that's also OK. However, you should be aware of how often YOUR protocols allow for meds to be repeated. If you are not sure...

Most places that I'm familiar with allow an EMT to assist a patient with their own medication but the PATIENT is the one that must be administering it to themselves. I would suspect that if a medication is considered to be BLS by EMS, and a patient needs another dose of that BLS medication...