Medical Emergencies

An emergency is a situation in which the condition of the patient or sudden change in medical status requires immediate action. The injury or illness is acute and poses an immediate risk to the person's life or long-term health.

It is important for all radiologic technologist and students to know where the adult and pediatric crash carts are located within the imaging department. As a student, in an emergency situation, you may be asked to retrieve the crash cart.

Head Injuries

A patient with a head injury may present with an altered gait, drowsiness or confusion, headache, dizziness, dampness at the back of the head (leaking CSF), hearing loss or "raccoon eyes". A patient with a head injury may also have a neck injury. Assume this until proven otherwise.

You must keep the patient immobile when transferring. It is important to keep the patient warm and to never leave the patient alone. In any medical emergency, you should wear personal protective apparel to include gloves, a face shield, etc.

Dressings applied to the skull, such as gauze, should not be removed because it may disturb the clotting of the wound. If the dressing is soaked with blood or other fluid, you may add additional dressing on top.

Patients can be assessed using levels of consciousness (LOC). Levels of consciousness can range from fully alert to comatose.

 

Levels of Consciousness (LOC)

There are four levels of consciousness:

1. Alert and conscious

2. Drowsy but responsive

3. Unconscious but reactive to painful stimuli

4. Comatose - Completely unresponsive

 

As a technologist, you should assess your patient at the start of the exam. If the patient changes level of consciousness at any time during the exam, you should stop the exam and get medical help. While waiting for additional help, make sure the airway remains open.

 

Glasgow Coma Scale - A numerical scale that can be used to objectively assess changes in the patient's level of consciousness over time. The higher the number, the higher the level of consciousness.

Glasgow Coma Scale Good.jpg

 

Children may be assessed differently for verbal response.

Verbal Response

Points

Speaks appropriately

Babies will smile and chatter appropriately

5

Mumbles illogical words

Babies will cry appropriately and respond to consolation

4

Incessant crying

Babies crying will occur independent of unpleasant stimuli

3

Grunts

2

Silent or unresponsive

1