3/11/2015
Baton Rouge Community College
Academic Affairs Master Syllabus
Date Approved or Revised:
Course Name:
5 March 2015
Basic Emergency Medical Care
BRCC Course Rubric:
EMSE 100
CIP Code:
51.0810
Lecture Hours:
3
State Common Course Rubric:
Lab Hours: 2 (6)
Credit Hours: 5
Course Description: Prepares students to obtain certification as a Nationally Registered
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Basic. This lecture and laboratory course is the
foundation course upon which the Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic program is
based. The course includes recognition of signs and symptoms of illness or injury through
patient assessment. Students must obtain the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification prior to enrollment in this course.
Prerequisites:
Departmental approval
Eligibility for MATH 094 and ENGL 101
Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider
CPR certification
Co-requisites:
None
Suggested Enrollment Cap:
30
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able
to:
1. Apply fundamental knowledge of the Emergency Medical System (EMS) system, safetywell-being of the EMT, medical / legal and ethical issues to the provision of emergency care.
(Preparatory)
2. Apply fundamental knowledge of the anatomy and function of all human systems to the
practice of EMS. (Anatomy and Physiology)
3. Utilize foundational anatomical and medical terms and abbreviations in written and oral
communication with colleagues and other health care professionals. (Medical Terminology)
4. Apply fundamental knowledge of pathophysiology of respiration and perfusion to patient
assessment and management. (Pathophysiology)
5. Apply fundamental knowledge of life span development to patient assessment and
management. (Life Span Development)
6. Discuss simple knowledge of the principles of illness and injury prevention in emergency
care. (Public Health)
7. Apply fundamental knowledge of the medications that the EMT may assist/administer to a
patient during an emergency. (Pharmacology)
8. Apply knowledge (fundamental depth, foundation breadth) of general anatomy and
physiology to patient assessment and management in order to assure a patent airway,
adequate mechanical ventilation, and respiration for patients of all ages. (Airway
Management, Respiration and Artificial Ventilation)
9. Apply scene information and patient assessment findings (scene size up, primary and
secondary assessment, patient history, and reassessment) to guide emergency management.
(Assessment)
10. Apply fundamental knowledge to provide basic emergency care and transportation based on
assessment findings for an acutely ill patient. (Medicine)
11. Apply fundamental knowledge of the causes, pathophysiology, and management of shock,
respiratory failure or arrest, cardiac failure or arrest, and post resuscitation management.
(Shock and Resuscitation)
12. Apply fundamental knowledge to provide basic emergency care and transportation based on
assessment findings for an acutely injured patient. (Trauma)
13. Apply a fundamental knowledge of growth, development, and aging and assessment findings
to provide basic emergency care and transportation for a patient with special needs. (Special
Patient Populations)
14. Demonstrate knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities to ensure safe patient,
public, and personal safety. (EMS Operations)
15. Perform a basic history and physical examination to identify acute complaints and monitor
changes. (Assessment)
16. Identify the actual and potential complains of emergency patient. (Assessment)
17. Communicate in a culturally sensitive manner. (Therapeutic communication and cultural
competency)
18. Safely and effectively perform all psychomotor skills in the following areas: Airway and
breathing, assessment, pharmacologic interventions, medical / cardiac care and trauma care.
(Psychomotor Skills)
19. Demonstrate professional behavior including, but not limited to: integrity, empathy, selfmotivation, appearance/personal hygiene, self-confidence, communications, timemanagement, teamwork/diplomacy, respect, patient advocacy, and careful delivery of
service. (Professionalism)
20. Initiate basic interventions based on assessment findings intended to mitigate the emergency
and provide limited symptom relief while providing access to definitive care. (Decision
Making)
21. Report and document assessment data and interventions. (Record Keeping)
22. Perform a patient assessment and provide pre-hospital emergency care and transportation for
patient complaints: abdominal pain, abuse/neglect, altered mental status/decreased level of
consciousness, anxiety, apnea, ataxia, back pain, behavioral emergency, bleeding, cardiac
arrest, cardiac rhythm disturbances, chest pain, constipation, cyanosis, dehydration, diarrhea,
dizziness/vertigo, dysphasia, dyspnea, edema, eye pain, fatigue, fever, GI bleeding,
headache, hematuria, hemoptysis, hypertension, hypotension, joint pain/swelling, multiple
trauma, nausea/vomiting, pain, paralysis, pediatric crying/fussiness, poisoning, rash, rectal
pain, shock, sore throat, stridor/drooling, syncope, urinary retention, visual disturbances,
weakness, and wheezing. (Patient Complaints)
23. Serve as an EMT team member on an emergency call with more experienced personnel in the
lead role. (Scene Leadership)
24. Ensure the safety of the rescuer and others during an emergency. (Scene Safety)
Assessment Measures: Assessment of all learning outcomes will be measured using the
following methods:
2
1. Instructor designed exams will collectively assess a portion of the learning outcomes and
will be administered during the semester as listed in the course syllabus.
2. Instructor designed comprehensive final exam will assess a portion of the learning
outcomes and will be administered at the end of the semester.
3. Instructor designed clinical / lab competency tool will be used to assess a portion of the
learning outcomes and will be administered as listed in the course syllabus.
Information to be included on the Instructor’s Course Syllabi:

Disability Statement: Baton Rouge Community College seeks to meet the needs of its
students in many ways. See the Office of Disability Services to receive suggestions for
disability statements that should be included in each syllabus.

Grading: The College grading policy should be included in the course syllabus. Any
special practices should also go here. This should include the instructor’s and/or the
department’s policy for make-up work. For example in a speech course, “Speeches not
given on due date will receive no grade higher than a sixty” or “Make-up work will not
be accepted after the last day of class.”

Attendance Policy: Include the overall attendance policy of the college. Instructors may
want to add additional information in individual syllabi to meet the needs of their
courses.

General Policies: Instructors’ policy on the use of things such as beepers and cell phones
and/or hand held programmable calculators should be covered in this section.

Cheating and Plagiarism: This must be included in all syllabi and should include the
penalties for incidents in a given class. Students should have a clear idea of what
constitutes cheating in a given course.

Safety Concerns: In some programs this may be a major issue. For example, “No
student will be allowed in the safety lab without safety glasses.” General statements such
as, “Items that may be harmful to one’s self or others should not be brought to class.”

Library/ Learning Resources: Since the development of the total person is part of our
mission, assignments in the library and/or the Learning Resources Center should be
included to assist students in enhancing skills and in using resources. Students should be
encouraged to use the library for reading enjoyment as part of lifelong learning.
Expanded Course Outline
Preparatory
EMS Systems
I.
The Emergency Medical Services System
II.
Roles, Responsibilities, and Professionalism of EMS Personnel
III. Quality Improvement
IV. Patient Safety
Workforce Safety and Wellness
I.
Standard Safety Precautions
3
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Personal Protective Equipment
Stress Management
Prevention of Work-Related Injuries
Lifting and Moving Patients
Disease Transmission
Wellness Principles
Documentation
I.
Principles of Medical Documentation and Report Writing
EMS System Communication
I.
EMS Communication System
II.
Communication with Other Health Care Professionals
III. Team Communication and Dynamics
IV. Communication
Therapeutic Communication
I.
Principles of Communicating With Patients in a Manner That Achieves a Positive Relationship
II.
Communication
III. Types of Responses
IV. Developing Patient Rapport
V.
Strategies to Ascertain Information
VI. Special Interview Situations
Medical/Legal and Ethics
I.
Consent/Refusal of Care
II.
Confidentiality
III. Advanced Directives
IV. Tort and Criminal Actions
V.
Evidence Preservation
VI. Statutory Responsibilities
VII. Mandatory Reporting
VIII. Ethical Principle/Moral Obligations
Anatomy and Physiology
I.
Anatomy and Body Functions
II.
Life Support Chain
III. Age-Related Variations for Pediatrics and Geriatrics (see Special Patient Populations)
IV. Medical Terminology
V.
Medical Terminology
VI. Medical Terms
VII. Standard Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms
Pathophysiology
I.
Composition of Ambient Air
II.
Patency of the Airway
III. Respiratory Compromise
IV. Alteration in Regulation of Respiration Due to Medical or Traumatic Conditions
V.
Ventilation/Perfusion (V/Q) Ratio and Mismatch
VI. Perfusion and Shock
4
VII. Microcirculation
VIII. Blood Pressure
IX. Alteration of Cell Metabolism
Life Span Development
I.
Infancy (Birth to 1 Year)
II.
Toddler (12 to 36 Months) and Preschool Age (3 to 5)
III. School-Age Children (6 to 12 Years)
IV. Adolescence (13 to18 Years)
V.
Early Adulthood (20 to 40 Years)
VI. Middle Adulthood (41 to 60 Years)
VII. Late Adulthood (61 Years and Older)
Public Health
I.
Basic Principles of Public Health
Pharmacology
Principles of Pharmacology
I.
Medication safety
II.
Kinds of Medications Used in an Emergency
III. Basic Medication Terminology
Medication Administration
I.
Assist/Administer Medications to a Patient
Emergency Medications
I.
Specific Medications
Airway Management, Respiration, and Artificial Ventilation
Airway Management
I.
Airway Anatomy
II.
Airway Assessment
III. Techniques of Assuring a Patent Airway
IV. Consider Age-Related Variations in Pediatric and Geriatric Patients (see Special Patient
Populations Section)
Respiration
I.
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
II.
Physiology of Respiration
III. Pathophysiology of Respiration
IV. Assessment of Adequate and Inadequate Ventilation
V.
Management of Adequate and Inadequate Respiration
VI. Consider Age-Related Variations in Pediatric and Geriatric Patients (see Special Patient
Populations)
Artificial Ventilation
I.
The Management of Inadequate Ventilation
II.
The Differences Between Normal and Positive Pressure Ventilation
III. Consider Age-Related Variations in Pediatric and Geriatric Patients (see Special Patient
Considerations)
Patient Assessment
5
Scene Size-Up
I.
Scene Safety
II.
Scene Management
Primary Assessment
I.
Primary Survey/Primary Assessment
II.
Integration of Treatment/Procedures Needed to Preserve Life
III. Evaluating Priority of Patient Care and Transport
History-Taking
I.
Investigation of the Chief Complaint
II.
Components of a Patient History
III. Techniques of History Taking
IV. Standardized Approach to History-Taking
V.
Taking History on Sensitive Topics
VI. Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
Secondary Assessment
I.
Techniques of Physical Examination
II.
Special Considerations for Pediatric and Geriatric Patients (see Special Patient
Populations section)
Monitoring Devices
I.
Pulse Oximetry
II.
Non-Invasive Blood Pressure
III. Other Monitoring Devices
Reassessment
I.
How and When to Reassess
II.
Identify and Treat Changes in the Patient’s Condition in a Timely Manner
III. Reassessments Should Be Performed at Regular Intervals
IV. A Reassessment Includes:
V.
Compare to the Baseline Status of That Component
VI. Vital Signs
VII. Chief Complaint
VIII. Interventions – Reassess the Effectiveness of Each Intervention Performed and Consider
the Need for New Interventions or Modifications to Care Already Being Provided
IX. Age-Related Considerations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
Medicine
Medical Overview
I.
Assessment Factors
II.
Major Components of the Patient assessment
Neurology
I.
Stroke/TIA
II.
Seizures
III. Headache
IV. Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
V.
Communication and Documentation
VI. Transport Decisions -- Rapid Transport to Appropriate Facility
6
Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Disorders
I.
Define Acute Abdomen
II.
Anatomy of the Organs of the Abdominopelvic Cavity
III. Assessment and Symptoms
IV. General Management for Patients with an Acute Abdomen
V.
Specific Acute Abdominal Conditions—Definition, Causes, Assessment Findings and
Symptoms, Complications, and Specific Pre-hospital Management
VI. Consider Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
VII. Pediatrics
VIII. Communication and Documentation for Patients With an Abdominal or Gastrointestinal
Condition or Emergency
IX. Transport Decisions
Immunology
I.
Introduction
II.
Basic Immune System’s Response to Allergens
III. Fundamental Pathophysiology
IV. Assessment Findings for Allergic Reaction
V.
Assessment Findings for Anaphylaxis
VI. Management
VII. Epinephrine as a Treatment for Allergic Reaction
VIII. Consider Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
IX. Communication and Documentation
X.
Transport Decisions
Infectious Disease
I.
Causes of Infectious Disease
II.
Body Substance Isolation, Personal Protective Equipment, and Cleaning and Disposing of
Equipment and Supplies
III. Consider Age-Related Variations in Pediatric and Geriatric Patients as They Relate
Assessment and Management of Patients With a Gastrointestinal Condition or
Emergency
IV. Communication and Documentation for a Patient With a Communicable or Infectious
Disease
V.
Transport Decisions Including Special Infection Control Procedures
VI. Legal Requirements Regarding Reporting Communicable or Infectious
Diseases/Conditions
VII. Required Reporting to the Health Department or Other Health Care Agency
Endocrine Disorders
I.
Introduction
II.
Diabetes
III. Communication and Documentation
IV. Transport Decisions—Rapid Transport for Altered Level of Consciousness
Psychiatric
I.
Define
II.
Epidemiology of Psychiatric Disorders
III. Assessment
IV. Behavioral Change
V.
Psychiatric Emergencies
VI. Medical-Legal Considerations
7
VII.
Consider Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
Cardiovascular
I.
Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System
II.
Physiology
III. Pathophysiology
IV. Assessment
V.
Management (refer to the current American Heart Association guidelines)
VI. Specific Cardiovascular Emergencies (refer to current American Heart Association
guidelines)
VII. Pharmacological Agents
VIII. Consider Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Patients for Assessment and
Management of Cardiac Compromise
Toxicology
I.
Introduction
II.
Poisoning by Ingestion
III. Poisoning by Inhalation
IV. Poisoning by Injection
V.
Poisoning by Absorption
VI. Drugs of Abuse
VII. Poisonings and Exposures
VIII. Medication Overdose
IX. General Treatment Modalities for Poisonings
X.
Consider Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
XI. Communication and Documentation for Patients With Toxicological Emergencies
XII. Transport Decisions
Respiratory
I.
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
II.
Normal Respiratory Effort
III. Assessment Findings and Symptoms and Management for Respiratory Conditions
IV. Specific Respiratory Conditions—Definition, Causes, Assessment Findings and
Symptoms, Complications, and Specific Pre-hospital Management and Transport
Decisions
V.
Metered-Dose Inhaler and Small Volume Nebulizer
VI. Communication and Documentation for Patients With Respiratory Emergencies
VII. Consider Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
VIII. Transport Decisions
Hematology
I.
Anatomy and Physiology
II.
Pathophysiology of Sickle Cell
III. Sickle Cell Crisis
IV. Clotting Disorders
V.
Consider Age-Related Variations
Genitourinary/Renal
I.
Anatomy and Physiology of Renal System
II.
Pathophysiology
III. Dialysis
IV. Management for a Patient With a Dialysis Emergency
8
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Urinary Catheter Management
Consider Age-Related Variations in Pediatric and Geriatric Patients
Communication and Documentation
Transport Decisions
Gynecology
I.
Introduction
II.
Assessment Findings
III. General Management
IV. Specific Gynecological Emergencies—Definition, Causes, Risk Factors, Assessment
Findings, Management
V.
Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
VI. Communication and Documentation
VII. Transport Decisions
Non-Traumatic Musculoskeletal Disorders
I.
Anatomy and physiology review
II.
Pathophysiology
III. Assessment
IV. Management
V.
Consider Age-Related Variations
Diseases of the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat-Level
I.
Nosebleed
II.
Shock and Resuscitation
III. Ethical Issues in Resuscitation
IV. Anatomy and Physiology Review
V.
Respiratory Failure
VI. Respiratory Arrest
VII. Cardiac Arrest
VIII. Resuscitation
IX. Automated External Defibrillation (AED) (Refer to the current American Heart
Association guidelines)
X.
Shock (Poor Perfusion)
Trauma
Trauma Overview
I.
Identification and Categorization of Trauma Patients
II.
Pathophysiology of the Trauma Patient
III. Assessment of the Trauma Patient
IV. Management of the Trauma Patient
Bleeding
I. Pathophysiology
II. General Assessment
III. Management Strategies
Chest Trauma
I.
Incidence of Chest Trauma
II.
Mechanism of Injury for Chest Trauma
III. Anatomy of the Chest
IV. Physiology
9
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
Pathophysiology of Chest Trauma
General Assessment Findings
General Management
Blunt Trauma or Closed Chest Injury
Open Chest Injury
Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
Abdominal and Genitourinary Trauma
I.
Incidence
II.
Anatomy
III. Physiology
IV. Specific Injuries
V.
General Assessment
VI. General Management
VII. Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
VIII. Special Considerations of Abdominal Trauma
Orthopedic Trauma
I.
Incidence
II.
Anatomy
III. Physiology
IV. Mechanism of Injury
V.
Complications
VI. Descriptions of Fractures
VII. Dislocations
VIII. Sprains/Strains
IX. Pelvic Fracture
X.
General Assessment
XI. General Management
XII. Specific Injuries
XIII. Types of Splints
XIV. Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
XV. Sprains/Strains
Soft Tissue Trauma
I.
Incidence of Soft Tissue Injury
II.
Anatomy and Physiology of Soft Tissue Injury
III. Closed Soft Tissue Injury
IV. Open Soft Tissue Injury
V.
General Assessment
VI. Management
VII. Incidence of Burn Injury
VIII. Anatomy and Physiology of Burns
IX. Complications of Burn Injuries
X.
General Assessment of Burn Injuries
XI. General Management
XII. Specific Burn Injury Management Considerations
XIII. Age-Related Variations
Head, Facial, Neck, and Spine Trauma
I.
Introduction
II.
Review of Anatomy and Physiology of the Head, Face, and Neck
10
III.
IV.
V.
General Patient Assessment
Specific Injuries to Head, Face, and Neck
Age-Related Variations
Nervous System Trauma
I.
Incidence
II.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain and Spine
III. General Assessment Considerations for Brain Trauma Patients
IV. Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management of Brain
Injury
V.
Spinal Cord Injuries
VI. Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management of Spinal
Injury
Special Considerations in Trauma
I.
Trauma in Pregnancy
II.
Trauma in the Pediatric Patient
III. Trauma in the Elderly Patient
IV. Trauma in the Cognitively Impaired Patient
Environmental Emergencies
I.
Submersion Incidents
II.
Temperature-Related Illness
III. Bites and Envenomations
IV. Diving Emergencies (Dysbarism)
V.
Electrical
VI. Radiation
VII. Age-Related Variations for Pediatric and Geriatric Assessment and Management
Multi-System Trauma
I.
Kinematics of Trauma
II.
Multi-System Trauma
III. Specific Injuries Related to Multi-System Trauma
Special Patient Populations
Obstetrics
I.
Introduction
II.
Physiology
III. General System Physiology, Assessment, and Management
IV. Complications of Pregnancy
V.
High-Risk Pregnancy: Pathophysiology, Assessment, Complications, and Management
VI. Complications of Labor: Pathophysiology, Assessment, Complications, and Management
VII. Complications of Delivery: Pathophysiology, Assessment, Complications, and
Management
VIII. Postpartum Complications: Pathophysiology, Assessment, Complications, and
Management
Neonatal Care
I.
Initial Care of the Neonate
Pediatrics
11
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
Anatomy and Physiology
Airway Compared to an Adult’s
Chest and Lungs Compared to an Adult’s
Abdominal Difference
Extremities Compared to Adult’s
Integumentary Differences
Respiratory System Compared to an Adult’s
Nervous System and Spinal Column Compared to an Adult’s
Metabolic Differences Compared to an Adult
Growth and Development
Assessment
Specific Pathophysiology, Assessment, and Management
Geriatrics
I.
Cardiovascular System Anatomical and Physiological Changes, and Pathophysiology
II.
Respiratory System Anatomical and Physiological Changes, and Pathophysiology
III. Neurovascular System Anatomical and Physiological Changes, and Pathophysiology
IV. Gastrointestinal System Anatomical and Physiological Changes, and Pathophysiology
V.
Genitourinary System Anatomical and Physiological Changes, and Pathophysiology
VI. Endocrine System Anatomical and Physiological Changes, and Pathophysiology
VII. Musculoskeletal System Anatomical and Physiological Changes, and Pathophysiology
VIII. Toxicological Emergencies
IX. Sensory Changes in the Elderly
Patients with Special Challenges
I.
Abuse and Neglect
II.
Homelessness/Poverty
III. Bariatric Patients
IV. Technology Assisted/Dependent
V.
Hospice Care and Terminally Ill
VI. Tracheostomy Care
VII. Sensory Deficits
VIII. Homecare
IX. Patient with Developmental Disability
Emergency Medical Services Operations
Principles of Safely Operating a Ground Ambulance
I.
Risks and Responsibilities of Emergency Response
Incident Management
I.
Establish and Work Within the Incident Management System
Multiple Casualty Incidents
I.
Multiple Casualty Incidents (MCI) -- An Event That Places a Great Demand on
Resources, Be It Equipment or Personnel
II.
Triage
Air Medical
I.
Safe Air Medical Operations
II.
Criteria for Utilizing Air Medical Response
12
Vehicle Extrication
I.
Safe Vehicle Extrication
II.
Use of Simple Hand Tools
III. Special Considerations for Patient Care
Hazardous Materials Awareness
I.
Risks and Responsibilities of Operating in a Cold Zone at a Hazardous Material or Other
Special Incident
Mass Casualty Incidents Due to Terrorism and Disaster
I.
Risks and Responsibilities of Operating on the Scene of a Natural or Man-Made Disaster
13