EMS 477 - Medical Emergencies

1. Describe various disorders of the eye, ear, nose and throat.
   1. Describe and develop a treatment plan for patients with headaches and lesions.
   2. Describe and develop a treatment plan for conjunctivitis, glaucoma and retinal detachment.
   3. Identify and develop a treatment plan for vertigo and tinnitus.
   4. Describe and develop a treatment plan for epistaxis and rhinitis.
   5. Identify and describe a treatment plan for thrush and epiglottitis.
2. Assess the importance of the respiratory tract in the human body.
   1. Explain the basic role of pulmonary diagnostic testing in the prehospital setting.
   2. Conduct a systematic approach to assessing patients with respiratory problems.
   3. Learn the differences between pulse oximetry and capnography.
3. Examine the anatomy of the upper airway.
   1. Devise a treatment plan for patients with pulmonary edema or a pneumothorax.
   2. Develop a treatment plan for patients with pleurisy or pleural effusion.
   3. Develop a treatment plan for patients with croup or epiglottitis.
4. Examine the anatomy of the lower airway.
   1. Develop a treatment plan for patients with COPD or bronchitis.
   2. Devise a treatment plan for a patient with pneumonia or tuberculosis.
   3. Develop a treatment plan for patients with inhalation exposure to hazardous chemicals.
5. Describe the importance of the cardiovascular system.
   1. Identify risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.
   2. Discuss prevention strategies that reduce the morbidity associated with heart disease.
   3. Discuss prevention strategies that reduce the mortality associated with heart disease.
6. Outline the major structures of the cardiovascular system.
   1. Locate and describe the functions of the major vessels of the heart.
   2. Identify and describe the functions of the chambers of the heart.
   3. Describe the anatomy of the heart and its location in the thoracic cavity.
7. Evaluate the components of cardiac output and factors affecting venous return.
   1. Define the terms preload and afterload and their affects on the cardiovascular system.
   2. Describe the clinical significance of Starling’s Law.
   3. Assess the functional properties of cardiac muscle.
8. Evaluate the various EKG rhythms, segments and intervals.
   1. Identify the structure and course of the cardiac conduction system.
   2. Assess how the heart’s pacemaking control, rate and rhythm are determined.
   3. Differentiate the primary mechanisms responsible for producing cardiac dysrhythmias.
   4. Differentiate between various cardiac rhythms
9. Assess the purpose of EKG monitoring.
   1. Identify the limitations of the EKG.
   2. Relate the cardiac areas represented by the EKG leads.
   3. Learn the correct anatomic placement of the chest leads.
   4. Identify how heart rhythms are determined by EKG recordings.
   5. Describe how EKG waveforms are produced.
   6. Interpret various cardiac dysrhythmias and disturbances.
   7. Explain the concept of defibrillation.
   8. Explain the concept of external pacing.
   9. Explain the concept of synchronized cardioversion.
10. Describe the details of inspection, auscultation and palpation specific to the heart.
    1. Identify and define heart sounds.
    2. Describe the differences between normal and abnormal heart sounds.
    3. Relate heart sounds to hemodynamic events in the caridac cycle.
11. Judge various conditions of the heart.
    1. Identify and develop a treatment plan for acute myocardial infarction.
    2. Identify and develop treatment plan for heart failure.
    3. Use patient history, identify and treat cardiogenic shock.
    4. Assess and treat cardiac arrest.
    5. Assess and treat aortic aneurysm.
    6. Use patient history, identify and treat pericardial tamponade.
12. Evaluate the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system.
    1. Assess the indications for a complete neurological assessment.
    2. Practice the components of the neurological assessment.
    3. Describe the etiology of seizures, syncope, stroke and altered mental status.
    4. Develop a treatment plan for seizures, syncope, stroke and altered mental status.
    5. Describe the risk factors that affect the nervous system.
13. Describe the epidemiology of various neurologic diseases.
    1. Identify and develop a treatment plan for meningitis and encephalitis.
    2. Identify and develop a treatment plan for Parkinson’s Disease and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
    3. Describe and manage patients with spinal cord disorders or injuries.
14. Discuss the anatomy and physiology of the organs involved in endocrine diseases.
    1. Identify what constitutes a medical emergency regarding the endocrine system.
    2. Describe the incidence, morbidity and mortality of endocrine emergencies.
15. Assess normal glucose metabolism.
    1. Explain the pathophysiology of Type 1 diabetes.
    2. Explain the pathophysiology of Type 2 diabetes.
    3. Discuss the pathophysiology of diabetic metabolism.
    4. Develop a treatment plan based on the hypoglycemic patient.
    5. Develop a treatment plan based on diabetic ketoacidosis.
    6. Develop a treatment plan based on diabetic coma.
16. Examine the pathophysiology of endocrine diseases.
    1. Discuss the pathophysiology of adrenal gland disorders.
    2. Develop a treatment plan based on adrenal gland disorders.
    3. Discuss the pathophysiology of nutritional disorders.
    4. Develop a treatment plan based on nutritional disorders.
    5. Discuss the pathophysiology of parathyroid gland disorders.
    6. Develop a treatment plan based on parathyroid disorders.
17. Review the anatomy and physiology of the immune system.
    1. Describe the characteristics of the immune system.
    2. Learn the processes of the immune system defenses.
    3. Define natural and acquired immunity.
    4. Define antigens and antibodies.
    5. Define allergic reaction.
    6. Define anaphylaxis.
18. Describe the incidence, morbidity and mortality rates of anaphylaxis.
    1. Identify the risk factors associated with anaphylaxis.
    2. Describe the prevention of anaphylaxis.
    3. Discuss the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis.
    4. Identify how to treat anaphylaxis.
19. Describe the incidence, morbidity and mortality rates of gastrointestinal emergencies.
    1. Identify the risk factors associated with gastrointestinal disorders.
    2. Discuss the questioning technique that a paramedic uses for gastrointestinal disorders.
    3. Describe the technique for performing a physical exam of gastrointestinal disorders.
20. Assess various gastrointestinal disorders.
    1. Define and treat abdominal wall hernia.
    2. Define and treat esophagitis.
    3. Define and treat Boerhaave syndrome.
    4. Define and treat gastroesophageal reflux.
    5. Define and treat esophageal strictures.
    6. Define and treat hiatal hernia.
    7. Define and treat acute hepatitis.
    8. Define and treat gastritis.
21. Evaluate the anatomy and physiology of renal and urogenital disorders.
    1. Describe questioning techniques that can be utilized for renal and urogenital disorders.
    2. Assess the incidence, morbidity and mortality rates of renal and urogenital disorders.
    3. Write a treatment plan for a patient with a renal or urogenital disorder.
    4. Learn how the kidneys function.
22. Examine the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system.
    1. Identify the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal injuries.
    2. Identify the causes of acute and chronic low back pain.
    3. Identify the causes of chronic neck pain.
    4. Identify generalized muscle disorders.
    5. Identify generalized joint disorders.
23. Evaluate the anatomy and physiology of the skin.
    1. Describe the three layers of the skin, their composition and functions.
    2. Assess the morphology of primary and secondary skin lesions.
    3. Identify and treat dermatitis.
    4. Identify and treat cellulitis.
    5. Identify and treat urticaria.
24. Evaluate the extent of injury and death associated with toxicological emergencies.
    1. Define the terms poison and toxicology.
    2. Assess the role of the poison control center.
    3. List the four routes of entry of poisons into the body.
    4. Describe the importance of decontaminating patients.
    5. Identify the available antidotes to poisons.
25. Review the anatomy and physiology pertinent to infectious and communicable diseases.
    1. Understand specific terminology regarding infectious and communicable diseases.
    2. Identify public health agencies involved in prevention of infectious diseases.
    3. Describe the importance of personal protection.
    4. Define what constitutes a significant exposure.
26. Critique the steps of the infectious disease process.
    1. List the stages of infectious diseases.
    2. List infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses.
    3. Identify the processes of the immune system.
    4. Describe the characteristics of the immune system.
    5. Assess the patient with a suspected diseases of the immune system.
27. Identify various diseases of the immune system.
    1. Define and treat HIV.
    2. Define and treat Hepatitis A, B and C.
    3. Define and treat meningitis.
    4. Identify and treat influenza.
    5. Identify sexually transmitted diseases.
    6. Define the protocol for reporting and documenting an exposure to an infectious disease.
28. Describe the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders.
    1. Define behavior and distinguish the difference between normal and abnormal behavior.
    2. Identify what constitutes a behavioral emergency.
    3. Define appropriate measures to ensure safety during behavioral emergencies.
    4. Describe various psychiatric disorders.
    5. List the risk factors for suicide.
29. Evaluate safe care of a patient with a behavioral emergency.
    1. Assess the patient.
    2. Determine a personal protection plan.
    3. Initiate evasive moves during role play.
30. Assess the anatomy and physiology of hematological disorders.
    1. Identify the components of blood.
    2. Explain the significance of hemoglobin and hematocrit.
    3. Describe white blood cells and their role in the body.
    4. Differentiate between the various blood types.