Emergency Procedures & Response Flashcards

When a physician orders 'push dose epi,' the scribe should document this as:

Answer: Epinephrine bolus IV for hemodynamic instability

Push dose epinephrine is a small IV bolus used emergently to treat severe hemodynamic instability.

A patient is placed in the 'Trendelenburg position.' The scribe should document the patient as:

Answer: Lying flat with legs elevated above heart level

Trendelenburg position involves lying supine with legs elevated to improve venous return in hypotension.

Which finding in a trauma patient's documentation most urgently suggests tension pneumothorax?

Answer: Absent breath sounds, tracheal deviation, and hypotension

Absent breath sounds, tracheal deviation, and hypotension are classic signs of tension pneumothorax requiring immediate needle decompression.

The medical abbreviation 'NPO' in emergency documentation means:

Answer: Nothing by mouth

NPO (nil per os) means the patient must not consume anything orally, often required before procedures or surgery.

When documenting defibrillation during a code, what must the scribe record?

Answer: Joules delivered and time of shock

Joules (energy delivered) and exact time of each shock are essential resuscitation documentation elements.

A scribe documents 'patient is diaphoretic.' This means the patient is:

Answer: Profusely sweating

Diaphoresis means profuse sweating, often associated with pain, cardiac events, or shock.

In an emergency, 'RSI' refers to the procedure used to secure the airway and stands for:

Answer: Rapid Sequence Intubation

Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI) involves sedation and paralysis to facilitate emergency endotracheal intubation.