Rescue Academy

Emergency education. Helping everyone pass their national exams on the first try!

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Axial loading sends force upward through the legs and pelvis. The pelvic ring transmits the force, while the lumbar vertebrae are compressed between the pelvis and upper body, causing compression or burst fractures. #EMT #EMS #Paramedic #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic tone after spinal cord injury, causing vasodilation with relative bradycardia. Other distributive shocks usually cause vasodilation with tachycardia. #EMT #EMS #Paramedic #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

EMS may transport a minor with parent/guardian consent, an authorized caregiver’s consent when permitted, or under implied consent when a serious emergency exists and delaying care could cause harm. #EMT #EMS #Paramedic #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Hypoperfusion is inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues. Signs include altered mental status, cool pale skin, weak pulses, delayed capillary refill, tachycardia, and hypotension as shock worsens. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

A caustic substance is a strong chemical, usually an acid or alkali, that burns and destroys living tissue on contact, potentially causing severe injury to the skin, eyes, airway, or GI tract. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Tonic: sustained muscle stiffening. Clonic: repetitive rhythmic jerking. Aura: a warning sensation before some seizures, such as an unusual smell, taste, visual change, fear, or déjà vu. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

For primary assessment questions, prioritize immediate life threats: airway, breathing, circulation, major bleeding, and mental status. Choose the action that addresses the most urgent threat before secondary assessment, history, or transport details. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

A tension pneumothorax requires immediate chest decompression. A hemothorax is managed with oxygen, shock treatment, rapid transport, and blood products when available; definitive treatment is chest-tube drainage and hemorrhage control. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Mottled skin appears patchy, blotchy, or marbled from poor perfusion. Pallor is a more uniform loss of normal skin color, making the patient look unusually pale or ashen. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

A basilar skull fracture involves the skull base. Assess for bruising in the mastoid process, raccoon eyes, hemotympanum, CSF leakage from the nose or ears, altered mental status, and cranial nerve deficits. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

DKA usually occurs in Type 1 diabetes and causes ketones, acidosis, and Kussmaul respirations. HHNS/HHS usually occurs in Type 2 diabetes and causes extreme hyperglycemia, profound dehydration, and minimal ketones. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

The sympathetic system drives “fight or flight,” increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and bronchodilation. The parasympathetic system promotes “rest and digest,” slowing heart rate and increasing digestion. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

An arterial occlusion blocks blood flow to a limb, causing pain, pallor, pulselessness, and cool skin. DVT blocks venous return, causing swelling, warmth, redness, and pain, with risk of pulmonary embolism. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

The ascending aorta supplies the coronary arteries and arch vessels; dissection can cause MI, stroke, or tamponade. The descending aorta supplies the lower body; dissection can cause back pain, limb ischemia, or organ hypoperfusion. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

This is a paramedic class. The students get an opportunity to perform an open cricothyrotomy on pig anatomy. This is a great way to learn the landmarks and practice the skill. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Prinzmetal angina is chest pain from transient coronary artery vasospasm, often occurring at rest with temporary ST elevation. Prehospital care includes ACS assessment, aspirin when indicated, nitroglycerin if appropriate, and cardiac monitoring. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Pericarditis commonly causes sharp, pleuritic chest pain improved by sitting up and leaning forward, worsened when supine or with inspiration, and may include a pericardial friction rub and diffuse ST elevation. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Prehospital care supports perfusion with oxygen, monitoring, cautious fluids, and rapid transport. Hospital treatment is definitive, using pericardiocentesis or surgical drainage to relieve pressure around the heart. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is sudden shortness of breath that awakens a patient from sleep, often from heart failure. Paramedics should sit the patient upright, provide oxygen/CPAP as indicated, monitor, and treat pulmonary edema per protocol. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse

[Rescue Academy @Rescue_Academy_]

With shoulder dystocia, fetal complications can include brachial plexus injury, clavicle or humerus fracture, hypoxia, and neurologic injury if delivery is significantly delayed. #EMT #Paramedic #EMS #Nurse