Dearing Baymiller
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Yes, knowing the systems and at least their basic functions will be paramount for your patient as well as your success in the field. Sure, you may not need it every transport if you're running IFT as a Basic... but it will still be essential. Wait until you become a medic (which you will... you'll see).
Case: You are sent to the common EMS call of "altered mental status". Pt is profoundly lethargic and not anywhere near baseline according to family. Along with CHF, the pt has a history of CRF (chronic renal failure) and is dialyized 3 times a week.
So, here is where the cut in quality EMS providers is:
Will you treat this "old lady" as "every other old person" and just check their BGL and 12 lead and put them on a nasal cannula... or will you use critical thinking and knowledge of human physiology to further assess the pt?
Clue: Use a focused assessment and knowledge of the renal system to prompt further questions of the pt!
Focused assessment (thanks to your knowledge of physiology): Pt was supposed to get dialysis on Friday, but missed appointment because family is visiting... well it's now Monday evening and the pt AGAIN missed another appointment to see their beloved family off at the airport. Pt also consumes 3 bananas a day with breakfast and lunch. Oh, and you notice that pt is prescribed Spiralactone.
Working diagnosis: Due to missing dialysis for days, eating food high in potassium, pt is on a potassium sparing diuretic, and having an ECG tracing showing "peaked t-waves"... would it be reasonable to have a working diagnosis of a hyperkalemic pt? (Sorry for being dramatic and providing the silver bullet scenario... need sleep)
nice. i feel a bit better that i actually understood most of that.
question, do you do a working diagnosis like that for the ER?
if so, what do the Dr.'s think of these evaluations?
now i'm getting very curious.
dave