Ditch the Machine to Improve Accuracy in Blood Pressure Measurement and Diagnostics

“Medic 14, respond to an unconscious subject.”
On arrival, two paramedics find a 45-year-old male sitting on a chair under a shade umbrella outside a car wash. The time is approximately 4:00 p.m., and the temperature is 94 degrees F. The patient presents with pale skin and his breathing appears slightly labored.
After the paramedics introduce themselves, the patient reports that he’s feeling faint and says he almost passed out while working in the hot sun. He’s willing to submit to an assessment, but reluctant to accept transport, stating, “I just got this job, and I need to get back to work.”
While completing the primary assessment, the senior paramedic notes the patient’s radial pulse is rapid and weak, and his skin to be cool and moist. The paramedic and his partner move the patient into the ambulance to perform the secondary examination, which begins with removal of the patient’s shirt.
With the patient properly exposed to allow for the interventions of the secondary exam, the paramedic delegates an ECG, vital signs, SpO2, and blood glucose measurement to his partner, and begins to interview the patient. He considers the presentation and apparent history of exertion in a hot environment.
When the senior paramedic inquires about associated symptoms, the patient replies that he’s been experiencing progressive weakness, dizziness and exertional dyspnea throughout the course of the morning. He further reports that he’s been experiencing an intermittent, vi...

Source: JEMS Patient Care - October 24, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Mark Rock, NRP Tags: Exclusive Articles Cardiac & Resuscitation Source Type: news