Emergency Response Procedures Flashcards

A patient in anaphylaxis has urticaria, bronchospasm, and a BP of 70/40. What is the drug of choice and route?

Answer: Epinephrine 0.3–0.5 mg IM into the anterolateral thigh

IM epinephrine to the lateral thigh is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis; it achieves higher peak levels faster than deltoid injection.

A patient is found in pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Which mnemonic guides the search for reversible causes?

Answer: The 5 H's and 5 T's

The H's (Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, Hydrogen ion, Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypothermia) and T's (Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade, Toxins, Thrombosis-PE, Thrombosis-MI) systematically identify reversible PEA causes.

An OSCE station presents a mannequin with a sucking chest wound. After sealing with a vented chest seal, the patient deteriorates with absent breath sounds and tracheal deviation. The next step is:

Answer: Lift one edge of the seal to release trapped air, then perform needle decompression

If a patient deteriorates after chest seal application, tension pneumothorax may be developing through the wound; lifting the seal to burp trapped air precedes needle decompression.

During CPR for a witnessed in-hospital cardiac arrest, high-quality chest compressions are defined as:

Answer: Rate 100–120/min, depth ≥2 inches, full chest recoil, minimize interruptions

AHA 2020 guidelines define high-quality CPR as 100–120 compressions/min, at least 2 inches deep, with complete chest recoil and minimal interruptions.

A post-operative patient suddenly complains of severe chest pain, hypoxia, and has an ECG showing new right heart strain pattern (S1Q3T3). The most likely diagnosis and immediate intervention are:

Answer: Pulmonary embolism; anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin

S1Q3T3 pattern with post-op hypoxia and chest pain indicates pulmonary embolism; systemic anticoagulation with UFH is the immediate pharmacologic treatment.

In a chemical exposure emergency (HAZMAT scenario), what is the FIRST action for the clinical team receiving a contaminated patient?

Answer: Ensure the patient undergoes decontamination before entering the treatment area

Secondary contamination of healthcare workers and the facility is prevented only by decontaminating the patient (removing clothing, irrigating skin) before they enter the clinical area.

An infant is found unresponsive with no pulse. A single rescuer is present. The correct infant CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio is:

Answer: 30:2

A single rescuer uses a 30:2 ratio for infant CPR, consistent with the adult BLS ratio; 15:2 is reserved for two-rescuer infant/child CPR.