Challenging assessments
- Thread starter skyemt
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Topher38
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Im not a paramedic but the most difficult? Maybe altered mental status or unresponsive with out any significant MOH or NOH. Because they cant tell you whats going on, you have to do a very good assessment to determine how to treat them. Course thats just my opinion.
AMS could be diabetic, overdose, drugs, alcohol, early or late shock, head injury, high or low blood sugar, theres alot of things that an Altered mental status could present to you and its your assessment that has to determine how to treat that patient who probably cant tell you what they are feeling.
AMS could be diabetic, overdose, drugs, alcohol, early or late shock, head injury, high or low blood sugar, theres alot of things that an Altered mental status could present to you and its your assessment that has to determine how to treat that patient who probably cant tell you what they are feeling.
KEVD18
Forum Deputy Chief
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that essentially it. when a patient cant tell you whats wrong, you have to do your own detective work.
it doesnt just have to be altered mental status. it could very well be someone who speaks a different language. how about mental retardation, autism, etc. ever had a patient answer EVERY question with yes. thats a tough assesment. what about someone who's mute. they can point sure but hand gestures will only get you so far. deaf and mute goes another step, no your both just pointing at each other. deaf, blind, mute, forget about it.
so what do we do here. well we have many tools for assesment that dont require patient input. the cardiac monitor, glucometer, etc. a good solid pysical exam is key.
it doesnt just have to be altered mental status. it could very well be someone who speaks a different language. how about mental retardation, autism, etc. ever had a patient answer EVERY question with yes. thats a tough assesment. what about someone who's mute. they can point sure but hand gestures will only get you so far. deaf and mute goes another step, no your both just pointing at each other. deaf, blind, mute, forget about it.
so what do we do here. well we have many tools for assesment that dont require patient input. the cardiac monitor, glucometer, etc. a good solid pysical exam is key.
Ridryder911
EMS Guru
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I had one yesterday that could not speak English. Worse their dialect was Kickapoo Indian crossed with Spanish.. Uh, how many know this dialect?
Worse he was real, with post Hx. of CABG, IDDM, etc...
Other patients I find challenging are special needs such as Autism, CP and MR obtaining an detailed assessment.
R/r 911
Worse he was real, with post Hx. of CABG, IDDM, etc...
Other patients I find challenging are special needs such as Autism, CP and MR obtaining an detailed assessment.
R/r 911
Topher38
Forum Lieutenant
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Does anyone else use the "Emergencey & Critical Care Pocket ACLS Guide"?
I just ordered one, they are real nice for a quick refrence, they even have a section for languages, I think it only has spanish though =[.
In my area (Norwich, CT) there are over 37 diffrent languages spoken. Isnt that insane? I mean I havent run into anyone yet that doesnt speak a enough english to get by but thats what statistics are saying.
I just ordered one, they are real nice for a quick refrence, they even have a section for languages, I think it only has spanish though =[.
In my area (Norwich, CT) there are over 37 diffrent languages spoken. Isnt that insane? I mean I havent run into anyone yet that doesnt speak a enough english to get by but thats what statistics are saying.
BossyCow
Forum Deputy Chief
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Belly Pain, it can be so many different things, toss in female anatomy and I think it doubles. Kidney, pancreatitis, appendix, gastrointestinal, ectopic pregnacy, ovarian cysts, UTI, Ulcers, ruptured spleen, gall bladder, gawd knows which one is working on the pt at the moment.... I just wish that my r/o could be... Bad Belly.