Emergency Procedures & First Aid Flashcards

What is the FIRST action a CMA should take when a patient collapses in the medical office?

Answer: Check for responsiveness and breathing

Checking for responsiveness and breathing first determines whether an emergency exists and guides all subsequent actions.

What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR performed by a single rescuer?

Answer: 30:2

Current AHA guidelines specify 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths for single-rescuer adult CPR.

When performing the Heimlich maneuver on a conscious adult, where should abdominal thrusts be directed?

Answer: Upper abdomen just below the ribcage

Thrusts applied to the upper abdomen just below the ribcage create upward pressure to expel a foreign body airway obstruction.

Which type of shock is caused by a severe allergic reaction resulting in widespread vasodilation?

Answer: Distributive (anaphylactic) shock

Anaphylactic shock is a form of distributive shock in which massive histamine release causes widespread vasodilation and circulatory collapse.

What is the FIRST-LINE medication for treating anaphylaxis in an emergency?

Answer: Epinephrine (EpiPen)

Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it rapidly reverses vasodilation, bronchospasm, and laryngeal edema.

A patient is experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. What should the CMA do FIRST?

Answer: Clear the area of dangerous objects and cushion the patient's head

Protecting the patient from injury by removing hazards and cushioning the head is the priority; restraining movements or inserting objects can cause harm.

An AED should be used when a patient exhibits which condition?

Answer: No pulse and not breathing normally

AEDs are indicated for patients in cardiac arrest, defined as having no pulse and no normal breathing.