You will write an essay paper which includes all the requested information as noted below. Your paper must be two to three pages in length and must utilize appropriate grammar and spelling. Follow the “Writing Guidelines for Health & PE Classes” handout when formatting your paper. Citations must be used if using resources; citations must be in APA style. Points will be deducted from the total score for errors in grammar, spelling, formatting, and organization.

ANSWER

Imaginary Emergency Scenario: A Detailed First Aid Response

Introduction

In this essay, we will explore an imaginary emergency situation that necessitates calling 9-1-1 for assistance. The scenario involves a patient in need of first aid, excluding airway obstruction or CPR. By providing a detailed description of the scene, discussing personal protective equipment, assessing the patient, delivering first aid, making the 9-1-1 call, and sharing information with the arriving EMS unit, this essay aims to illustrate a comprehensive approach to handling an emergency situation.

Scene Description

The emergency takes place in a local park on a sunny afternoon. The park is filled with lush greenery, a well-maintained playground, and walking trails. There are several people around, enjoying recreational activities such as jogging, walking their pets, and having picnics (Kruk et al., 2018). Despite the serene environment, there are some potential hazards present, such as uneven terrain, potentially slippery surfaces near water fountains, and nearby roads with passing vehicles.

Patient Position and Initial Approach

The patient, a middle-aged man, is lying on the ground near a bench, holding his chest and displaying signs of distress. As a certified first aid provider, I approach the patient cautiously, introduce myself, and seek permission to assist. It is important to maintain a calm demeanor to reassure the patient and gain their cooperation.

Utilization of Personal Protective Equipment

Upon assessing the situation, I quickly put on disposable gloves to minimize the risk of contamination and protect both myself and the patient. This precautionary measure helps prevent the potential transmission of any blood-borne pathogens or other bodily fluids.

First Impression of the Patient’s Condition

The patient appears pale, sweaty, and is visibly short of breath. His speech is labored, and he complains of intense chest pain. These initial observations indicate a potentially serious condition, warranting immediate attention.

Assessment Findings: Chief Complaint: The patient’s chief complaint is severe chest pain.

Primary Survey Findings

Responsiveness: The patient is conscious and responsive, although he appears to be in distress.

Breathing: The patient is breathing, but his breaths are shallow and rapid.

Bleeding: No visible signs of external bleeding are present.

SAMPLE History Findings

Signs and symptoms: The patient complains of a crushing sensation in his chest and pain radiating down his left arm.

Allergies: The patient denies any known allergies.

Medications: The patient reports taking medication for high blood pressure.

Past medical history: The patient mentions a previous heart condition and a family history of heart disease.

Last oral intake: The patient had a light meal approximately two hours ago.

Events leading up to the emergency: The patient states that he started feeling the chest pain after taking a brisk walk in the park.

Vital Signs

Pulse: Rapid and irregular pulse rate of 120 beats per minute.

Respirations: Shallow and rapid, with a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute.

Skin: Pale, cool, and moist.

Secondary Check Findings

Due to the specific nature of the scenario involving chest pain, a head-to-toe examination is not necessary at this stage.

First Aid

Given the symptoms, the patient’s condition suggests a potential heart-related emergency, such as a myocardial infarction (heart attack). To provide first aid, I ensure the patient remains in a comfortable position, support his upper body with cushions, and reassure him while awaiting professional medical assistance (Bsn, 2023). It is crucial to continuously monitor the patient’s vital signs and be prepared to initiate CPR if the situation deteriorates.

9-1-1 Phone Call

I made the 9-1-1 call immediately after completing the primary survey and SAMPLE history. When speaking with the dispatcher, I provided a concise but detailed account of the patient’s condition, including his chief complaint, vital signs, and relevant medical history. I also mentioned the need for urgent medical intervention and requested an ambulance to the park location.

Dispatcher Updates

In this scenario, a call back to the dispatcher may be necessary if the patient’s condition worsens or if there are significant changes in their vital signs. This would ensure that the EMS unit receives accurate and timely information to prepare for the patient’s arrival.

Handoff to EMS Unit

Upon the arrival of the EMS unit, I provide a thorough “handoff” report, summarizing the patient’s initial condition, vital signs, SAMPLE history findings, and any changes observed during the waiting period (Short, 2022). This information is essential for the EMS professionals to understand the situation and provide appropriate care during transportation to the hospital.

Conclusion

Handling emergencies requires a swift and systematic approach. By creating an imaginary emergency scenario and addressing the location, possible hazards, patient position, initial approach, personal protective equipment, assessment findings, first aid measures, 9-1-1 phone call, and handoff to EMS, this essay has outlined a comprehensive response to such a situation. Practicing effective first aid and communication can make a significant difference in ensuring the well-being of patients until professional medical help arrives.

References

Bsn, M. V., RN. (2023). 13 Heart Failure Nursing Care Plans. Nurseslabs. https://nurseslabs.com/heart-failure-nursing-care-plans/ 

Kruk, M. E., Gage, A. D., Arsenault, C., Jordan, K., Leslie, H. H., Roder-DeWan, S., Adeyi, O., Barker, P. M., Daelmans, B., Doubova, S. V., English, M., Garcia-Elorrio, E., Guanais, F. C., Gureje, O., Hirschhorn, L. R., Jiang, L., Kelley, E. F., Lemango, E. T., Liljestrand, J., . . . Pate, M. (2018). High-quality health systems in the Sustainable Development Goals era: time for a revolution. The Lancet Global Health, 6(11), e1196–e1252. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30386-3 

Short, M. (2022, September 26). EMS Documentation. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448107/