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Vertigo - patient complaints
- giddiness
- dizziness
- room spinning and/or people swaying
- any of above --> nausea
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Vertigo - causes
- postural hypotension
- hypertension
- minor cerebral vascular insufficiency
- drug side effects
- strong emotions
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Vertigo - prevention
- prevent sudden arupt changes in general body position or cerebral position
- rise slowly from bed/chair
- avoid fast rotation of head
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vertigo - at the time: if patient is dizzy
- slow down movements
- have patient lie down
- have patient bend over slowly with head at knee level
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fainting/ syncope
- partial or complete loss of consciousness
- due to: decreased blood supply to the brain for a short time
- recovery: occurs when person falls or is laid down
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fainting/syncope - causes
- hyperventilation
- hypoglycemia
- anema
- vasomotor instability
- shock
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fainting: signs and symptoms
- paleness
- sweating
- coldness of skin
- possible dizziness
- numbness and tingling of hands and feet
- nausea
- possible vision blurriness
- pulse in usually weak, rapid and irregular
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fainting: treatment
- if already collapsed/ supine = leave peron lying down with head lower than body ... elevate legs
- complains of dizziness = get to sitting and then slowly lower head between the knees
- loosen tigh clothes
- if vomits = turn head and wipe out mouth
- maintain open airway
- may use smelling salts
- apply cool compress to forehead, back of neck, chest
- DO NOT: pour water over the face; give liquid until totally revived
- watch carefully afterward
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nausea
patient feels as if they are going to vomit
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nausea - treatment
- if patient is supine: elevate trunk/head slightly
- if patient is standing: sit down until sensation subsides; do not lie down flat
- salt crackers/light soda usually "settle" patients: careful=drinking could induce vomitting
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epistaxis
- aka noseblood
- amount of blood loss varies
- could swallow blood then vomit
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epistaxis- causes
- skull fracture
- facila injury (direct blow)
- sinusitis
- infectin
- hypertension
- some bleeding diseases or disorders
- p/o sinus/nasal surgery
- high altitude
- violent exertion
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epistaxis: treatment
- apply pressure by piniching the nostrils or "packing" the nose
- keep patient sitting whenever possible - so blood will not automatically aspirate into the lungs
- lean patient forward
- keep patient forward - anxiety can increase blood pressure
- applying ice over nose is also helpful
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seizures
- abnormal brain waves: petit mal vs. gran aml
- may have presignals: dazed look, eyes glazed, unusual visual/olfactory sensation
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seizures - treatment
- smelling salts
- come out of it naturally
- protect the tongue.. no
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seizure with convulsions (grand mal)
- attack of unconsciousness
- usually violent onset
- can beassociated with head injury or brain disease: localized and rigidity and jerking of groups of muscles instead of whole body
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seizure with convulsions (grand mal) - signs
- body musculature becomes rigid (30 seconds) leading to jerking movements
- rigid period: may stop breathing, bite tongue, lose bowel and bladder control, develop bluish discoloration of face/lips, exhibit drooling/ foaming
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seizure with convulsions (grand mal) - treatment
- prevent person from hurting self: cushion head
- keep person lying down: if possible move to side
- monitor airway, breathign, circulation
- keep airway open: give articial respiration if necessary
- clear obstacles from pathway: Do NOT restrain
- do not five anything to eat/drink
- call 911 or hospital/facility emergency number
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