Signs and Symptoms

Linuss said:
compora, you truly can't "make notecards" for S&S that easily.


If I said HR 130, BP 160/80, RR of 30, and unconsciousness, what would pop in your head?
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I would say, don't wake the baby!!! He's fine!!!
 
S/s

I just read your post as I am taking my NR in 3 weeks - I look for ways to remember the S/S too - rereading the textbook does help just there's so many things that are like other things! glad you passed -this is an old thread, but I just saw it :)
 
JPINFV said:
If you're weak on anatomy and physiology, pick up a review book and work on your A/P. Signs and symptoms happen for a reason, and A/P is that reason.
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I concur with this. The anatomy/physiology course I took has been invaluable in studies as I prepare for the EMT-Basic and eventually the paramedic coursework. For example, two of the initial chapters (and pieces of later chapters) are mostly review of the anatomy/physiology work I did as an undergrad. Khanacademy.com might help with some of this review.

I don't know how in the world there could be a catch-all cheat sheet or flow chart to navigate the symptom combinations. Like other posters have said, commonsense says that there are too many mimics and symptom combinations that could be assigned to a variety of illnesses.
 
First and most important step is to learn the common vital signs. What numbers are normal? So, things like: a heart rate of 120 is usually abnormal for an adult, but not necessarily for a toddler.

You need to know normal values down cold.

After that, you need to understand that a single value being abnormal is simply abnormal, not necessarily critical (with the obvious exceptions of the extreme).

Then you learn what simultaneous abnormal values are.
 
I need one of those in my life. I would write out a bunch of disorders and their signs and symptoms and reasons why then realized i added unimportant stuff( things not on the test) and left out important things( things that were on the test) so i have to go back and start all over. Im backed up about 5 or 6 chapters trying to re write them all along with the new ones from the chapters we are on now. Which is almost impossible. I'll spend literally a whole day on one chapter
Then the next day I have class which adds two more chapters. I get one chapter down and have to pick two more up! Ugh. Has to be a better way.
 
I don't believe Linuss, or a lot of people who posted in this thread, are still here. This is thread is seven years old. Isn't the average time someone in EMS like five years? LOL.

I don't understand what you are asking for. In what way can we help you?
 
lol i hear you. when i took the NR the question would be like ,you arrive to a patient home , his wife says they woke up and didn't feel well
he is HR 130, BP 160/80, RR of 30, and unconsciousness. bluh bluh bluh ?

A
B
C
D
 
trying to figure out what signs and symptoms i should study prior to taking this test
 
ChrisCon89 said:
trying to figure out what signs and symptoms i should study prior to taking this test
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You should know what normal ranges for vital signs are and what injuries/illness would cause abnormal vital signs. In short, can you recognize when a call is more than you are trained to handle and can you prioritize those things you CAN do until you reach a hospitaL or ALS intercept.

Also, understand Cushing's triad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Aprz said:
I don't believe Linuss, or a lot of people who posted in this thread, are still here. This is thread is seven years old. Isn't the average time someone in EMS like five years? LOL.
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I'm still alive and active in EMS! Just rarely if ever come to this message board.
 
compora19 said:
i passed! It stopped me after I took the 70th question
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I know exactly what you were talking about. Theres always that one or 2 symptoms that can make a difference in knowing the right problem. What did you end up doing or making to help you pass?
 
Bitty said:
I know exactly what you were talking about. Theres always that one or 2 symptoms that can make a difference in knowing the right problem. What did you end up doing or making to help you pass?
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This person hasn't been active in like 6 years so I doubt you will get a reply. I would focus on understanding the material. Not just reading through a few paragraphs and hoping you can recall it when the test comes. Take practice tests. Invest the money into testing materials like JBL or medictests. I really like those two. Use apps on your phone like anki. It is a flashcard application that focuses on retention.
 
Linuss said:
compora, you truly can't "make notecards" for S&S that easily.


If I said HR 130, BP 160/80, RR of 30, and unconsciousness, what would pop in your head?
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Hmm 30 resp eh? Probably shallow ones and needs to be bagged. I was about to say pt is going into shock but I saw that bp. Compensated shock?
 
iExposeDeformities said:
Hmm 30 resp eh? Probably shallow ones and needs to be bagged. I was about to say pt is going into shock but I saw that bp. Compensated shock?
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Sure his vital signs would say he's compensating for something but he's unconscious So tell us what your plan is. How are you going to further investigate the reasons why with the information you've got?
 
I’ll keep the necro-bumping alive:
iExposeDeformities said:
Hmm 30 resp eh? Probably shallow ones and needs to be bagged. I was about to say pt is going into shock but I saw that bp. Compensated shock?
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Why do you think so?

What if you are on to something with regards to compensation, and this is some sort of respiratory alkalosis from a number of underlying causes?

Assuming they have an adequate SPO2 with passive supplemental oxygen would you still want to assist their respiratory efforts? Why, or why not?
 
Colt45 said:
Sure his vital signs would say he's compensating for something but he's unconscious So tell us what your plan is. How are you going to further investigate the reasons why with the information you've got?
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Reasons why as in why his vitals are this way? If that’s what you’re asking, EMS is not for diagnosing patients. You stabilize them until they can get advanced treatment in a hospital.
 
VentMonkey said:
I’ll keep the necro-bumping alive:

Why do you think so?

What if you are on to something with regards to compensation, and this is some sort of respiratory alkalosis from a number of underlying causes?

Assuming they have an adequate SPO2 with passive supplemental oxygen would you still want to assist their respiratory efforts? Why, or why not?
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OP didn’t say if pt is unconscious because of bodily trauma or not. But if it wasn’t, pt is most likely unconscious due to hypoperfusion. 30 resps is on the high side which will most likely produce shallow respiration’s but not all the time and combine that with unconsciousness? You bet I’m OPA and bag. But like you said, if they’re satting >95 on O2 then that’s that
 
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