Sudden Illnesses
♦ KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVES
1. Identify four general signs and
symptoms of sudden illness.
3. Identify the instances when you should
summon more advanced medical
personnel for a person having a seizure.
2. Identify seven general guidelines for
providing care for a person experiencing
a sudden illness.
4. List at least two risk factors that can be
controlled to help prevent stroke.
5. Define the key terms for this chapter.
♦ SKILL OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter and completing the class activities, you should be able to
1. Make appropriate decisions about care
when given an example of an emergency
in which someone has suddenly become
ill.
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♦ OUTLINE
Signs and Symptoms:
Introduction
305
♦ Altered consciousness.
Specific Sudden Illnesses
305
♦ Shocklike signs and symptoms.
Fainting
305
♦ Looks and feels ill.
Diabetic Emergencies
306
Seizures
308
♦ Position person on a flat surface.
Stroke
309
♦ Check ABCs.
Care:
♦ KEY POINTS
♦ Loosen clothing.
General Signs and Symptoms of Sudden
Illness
♦ Summon more advanced medical
personnel.
Diabetic Emergency
♦ Change in level of consciousness.
♦ Insulin is a hormone that takes sugar
from the bloodstream to the cells.
♦ Headache/light-headed/dizzy/weak.
♦ Nausea/vomiting.
♦ A person who does not produce
enough insulin has diabetes.
♦ Change in breathing/pulse/skin
temperature, colour, moisture.
♦ A person with diabetes must
carefully monitor their diet and
exercise.
Common Sudden Illnesses
♦ Fainting.
♦ Not monitoring can lead to hypo- or
hyperglycaemia.
♦ Diabetic emergencies.
♦ Seizures.
Signs and Symptoms:
♦ Stroke.
♦ Altered level of consciousness.
♦ Poisoning.
♦ Rapid breathing/pulse.
♦ Heart attack.
♦ Looks and feels ill. Care:
Fainting
♦ Monitor ABCs.
♦ Characterized by partial or complete
loss of consciousness.
If conscious
♦ Give casualty substance containing
sugar.
♦ Temporary reduction of blood flow
to the brain.
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Stroke
If unconscious
♦ Do not give anything by mouth.
♦ Disruption of blood flow to brain.
♦ Maintain normal body temperature.
♦ Serious enough to cause brain
damage.
♦ Summon more advanced medical
personnel.
♦ Commonly caused by blood clot in
the arteries.
Seizures
♦ Also can be caused by a ruptured
artery.
♦ Sudden loss of body control.
♦ Epilepsy is a chronic form.
♦ Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is
like a stroke but temporary.
♦ Preceded by an aura.
Signs and Symptoms:
Signs and Symptoms:
♦ Altered level of consciousness.
♦ Altered consciousness.
♦ Looks and feels ill.
♦ Blackouts.
♦ Sudden weakness/numbness.
♦ Uncontrollable muscle contractions.
♦ Difficulty speaking.
♦ Looks and feels ill.
♦ Blurred/dimmed vision.
Care:
♦ Unequal pupils.
♦ Protect the person from injury.
♦ Monitor ABCs.
♦ Sudden, severe headaches/dizziness/
confusion.
♦ If fluid is present in mouth, position
casualty so fluid drains.
♦ Loss of bowel/bladder control.
Care:
♦ Do a secondary survey after a
seizure.
♦ Monitor ABCs.
♦ Reassure the person.
♦ Clear airway as needed.
♦ Summon more advanced medical
personnel, if needed.
♦ Summon more advanced medical
personnel.
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♦ LEARNING ACTIVITIES
7.
A partial or complete loss of
consciousness resulting from a
temporary reduction of blood flow to
the brain
8.
A life-threatening emergency in
which the body needs insulin
9.
A disorder in the brain's electrical
activity, marked by loss of
consciousness and often by
uncontrollable muscle activity
Matching
Match each term with its definition. Write
its letter on the line in front of the definition.
Terms
a. Epilepsy
b. Fainting
c. Hypoglycaemia
Short Answer
d. Seizure
Read each statement or question and write
the correct answer or answers in the space
provided.
e. Transient ischemic attack
f. Diabetic coma
1. List at least four signs and symptoms of
a sudden illness.
g. Insulin
h. Stroke
1.
i. Hypertension
2.
Definitions
3.
1.
A condition of low blood sugar in
the body
4.
2.
A hormone that enables the body to
use sugar for energy
3.
A disruption of blood to a part of the
brain, causing permanent damage
4.
2. List at least five general guidelines for
the care of sudden illness.
1.
2.
A temporary episode that results
from a disruption of blood flow to
the brain; sometimes called a ministroke
5.
A chronic condition characterized by
seizures that vary in type and
duration
6.
High blood pressure
3.
4.
5.
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1. Which of the following is this player
probably experiencing?
3. List at least five circumstances in which
you would summon more advanced
medical personnel to treat a casualty of a
seizure.
a. Hypoglycaemia
b. Hyperglycaemia
1.
c. Fainting
2.
d. Heart attack
3.
2. What would probably be readily available that could be given to this player?
4.
5.
4. Should a first responder try to diagnose
the exact cause of an injury or illness?
Why or why not?
3. How long should the trainer wait after
caring for this player to see whether her
condition improves before calling for
advanced medical personnel?
5. List at least two risk factors that, when
controlled, decrease the chances of
stroke or TIA.
a. The trainer should call immediately
b. 5 minutes
c. 10 minutes
1.
d. 30 minutes
2.
4. Before the game ends, the basketball
player lapses into unconsciousness, after
which the trainer summons more advanced medical help. Which of the
following should the trainer also do?
♦ CASE STUDIES
Read the case studies and answer the
questions that follow.
Case 16.1
a. Check to see if she has insulin with
her.
It is well into double overtime in the district
championship basketball game between two
long-time rival high schools. The
gymnasium is hot. One of the players
suddenly appears confused and looks ill.
During a time out, the trainer notes that she
is breathing very rapidly, and her pulse is
rapid and weak. The player seems confused
about the day and location of the game. The
coach tells the trainer that the player had
been ill, and had vomited before the game.
The trainer also knows that the player is a
diabetic.
b. Cool her body by using cold packs.
c. Discontinue giving her anything by
mouth.
d. All of the above.
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4. After the casualty's attack is over, what
three things can you do to reduce his
possible embarrassment and ensure his
safety?
Case 16.2
You are giving a presentation to a group of
high school students about your occupationpolice officer. Suddenly one of the male
students cries out and slips from his seat to
the floor. You see his muscles tighten and
his teeth clench. As you get to his side, he
begins to shake uncontrollably and strikes
his arm against the leg of his chair.
1.
2.
3.
5. Advanced medical personnel should be
called if
1. What kind of illness is this person
probably experiencing?
a. He has repeated seizures.
a. Transient ischemic attack
b. He fails to regain consciousness.
b. Fainting
c. You are uncertain what caused the
seizure.
c. Seizure
d. Stroke
d. All of the above.
2. Which of the following is part of your
care for this casualty?
a. Placing something between
casualty's teeth
b. Monitoring and maintaining the
casualty's airway
c. Restraining the casualty's
movements
d. a and b
3. To protect the casualty from injury, you
would do all of the following except
a. Move away nearby objects that could
cause injury.
b. Hold his arms still.
c. Position him on his side, if possible,
to protect his airway.
d. Place a thin cushion or folded piece
of clothing under his head.
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4. Your emergency care for a casualty of
fainting should include
♦ SELF-ASSESSMENT
Circle the letter of the best answer.
a. Loosening restrictive clothing.
1. Which of the following signs and symptoms would you expect in a casualty of a
diabetic emergency?
b. Sponging the casualty's face with a
wet towel.
a. Rapid pulse, slow breathing,
confusion
c. Placing the casualty in a semi-sitting
position.
b. Rapid pulse, rapid breathing,
confusion
d. Giving a conscious casualty small
sips of water.
c. Slow pulse, normal breathing,
normal consciousness
5. Which of the following would be considered to indicate a sudden illness?
d. Normal pulse, rapid breathing,
normal consciousness
a. Nausea and vomiting
b. Change in level of consciousness
2. Controlling high blood pressure reduces
your risk of
c. Changes in pulse and breathing rate
d. All of the above
a. Heart disease.
b. Stroke or TIA.
6. What is the best position in which to
place a stroke casualty who is drooling
or having difficulty swallowing?
c. Diabetes.
d. a and b.
a. Semi-sitting, head raised
b. Lying on one side
3. Which of the following is a reason to
summon more advanced medical assistance during or after a seizure?
c. Lying flat on the back
d. Lying on the back, legs elevated
a. The casualty regains consciousness.
b. You are certain about what caused
the seizure.
c. The seizure takes place in water.
d. The casualty is known to have
epilepsy.
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10. In caring for a casualty having a seizure,
you should
7. Which of the following could help
control high blood pressure?
a. Move any objects that might cause
injury.
a. Losing weight
b. Managing stress
b. Try to hold the person still.
c. Exercising routinely
c. Place a spoon between the person's
teeth.
d. All of the above
d. Douse the person with water.
8. Which of the following should be
included in your emergency care for a
diabetic who has signs and symptoms of
a diabetic emergency?
11. How would you provide care for a
seizure casualty having convulsions?
a. Administering oxygen
I. Place something between the
casualty's teeth.
b. Injecting insulin into him or her
c. Giving the person a nondiet cola or
fruit juice to drink
II. Position the casualty on one side to
maintain a clear airway if the
casualty is vomiting.
d. a and c
III. Restrain the casualty's movements.
IV. Protect the casualty from injury.
9. Which of the following signs/symptoms
may be present in a person who has had
a stroke?
a. I
b. I, II, and III
a. Sudden total blindness
c. II and IV
b. Loss of bladder control
d. I and IV
c. Enlarged pupils in both eyes
12. All of the following are probable
causes of stroke EXCEPT
d. All of the above
a. Low blood pressure.
b. Blood clot in an artery supplying
the brain.
c. Bleeding from a ruptured artery in
the brain.
d. Head injury.
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13. Emergency care for a casualty of a
fainting episode should include
16. A 15-year-old suddenly cries out and
slips from his seat at a restaurant, falling
to the floor. You see his muscles spasm
and his teeth clench. He begins to shake
uncontrollably, and strikes his arm
against the leg of his chair. What type of
condition do you suspect this person is
experiencing?
a. Monitoring the ABCs, and keeping
the person in a horizontal position.
b. Sponging the casualty's face with a
wet towel.
c. Placing the casualty in a semisitting position.
a. Heart attack.
b. Fainting.
d. Giving the conscious casualty small
sips of water.
c. Seizure.
d. Stroke.
14. Which is the best position in which to
place a casualty who is drooling and
having difficulty swallowing?
17. How would you provide care for a
seizure casualty?
a. Reclining.
b. Lying on the back, legs elevated.
c. Lying flat on the back.
I.
Place something between the
casualty's teeth.
II.
Position the casualty on one side to
maintain a clear airway, if casualty
is vomiting.
d. Lying on one side.
III. Restrain the casualty's movements.
15. An immediate emergency care step you
should take with an unconscious
casualty is to
IV. Protect the casualty from injury.
a. I.
a. Administer oxygen.
b. I, II, and III.
b. Comfort and reassure the casualty.
c. II and IV.
c. Open the casualty's airway and
check for breathing.
d. I and IV,
d. Position the casualty on one side.
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18. To minimize shock from a sudden
illness, you should
a. Cool the body.
b. Place a pillow under the casualty's
head.
c. Keep the casualty lying down.
d. All of the above.
19. What type of sudden illness may be
preceded by an aura?
a. Fainting.
b. Seizure.
c. Diabetic coma.
d. Heart attack.
20. Which of the following is a reason to
summon more advanced medical
assistance during or after a seizure?
a. The casualty regains
consciousness.
b. You are uncertain what caused the
seizure.
c. The seizure takes place in water.
d. b and c.
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Answers for Exercises
Unit 16-Sudden Illness
Matching:
1. c
2. g
3. h
4. e
5. a
6. i
7. b
8. f
9. d.
Case Study 16.1:
1. a
2. Candy, fruit juice, or a nondiet soft
drink
3. b
4. c.
Case Study 16.2:
1. c
2. b
3. b
4. Reassure and comfort him.; Ask
bystanders not to crowd around him.;
Stay with the casualty until he is awake
and aware.
5. d.
Short Answer:
1. Changes in a casualty's level of
consciousness; light-headedness,
dizziness, and weakness; nausea;
vomiting; changes in breathing, pulse,
and skin colour.
2. Prevent further harm; monitor the vital
signs; summon more advanced medical
personnel; help the casualty rest
comfortably; maintain normal body
temperature; provide reassurance;
administer oxygen if available.
3. Seizure lasts more than a few minutes;
casualty has repeated seizures; casualty
appears to be injured; casualty is
pregnant; casualty is a known diabetic;
casualty is an infant or child; seizure
takes place in water; uncertain about the
cause of the seizure; casualty fails to
regain consciousness after the seizure.
4. A first responder does not need to
diagnose the cause of a sudden illness.
Knowing and following the emergency
action principles and basic principles of
care are all you need to care for a
casualty of sudden illness.
5. High blood pressure; cigarette smoking;
diets high in saturated fats and
cholesterol; lack of regular exercise.
Self-Assessment:
1. b
2. d
3. c
4. a
5. d
6. b
7. d
8. d
9. b
10. a.
11. c.
12. a.
13. a.
14. d.
15. c.
16. c.
17. c.
18. c.
19. b.
20. d.
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