Lesson 1

Currently I am reading an amazingly written autobiography of Peter Canning, a Hartford Connecticut Paramedic, called Paramedic: On the Front Lines of Medicine. He tells the tales of paramedicine through his eyes, things he has felt, things he has done and seen. I’ve only just began reading so throughout my reading I will post more about it. I also plan to do a full review at the end. Here is a passage I felt was important to share with any newbies like me!

 

Page 27 speaks of a *Pt he had within the jail system. The call to dispatch came in as a man having a seizure. Peter and his preceptor Tom approach the Pt to assess him. Peter automatically assumes “Well, they called dispatch saying he was having a seizure so it must be just that, a seizure.”

            The Pt is fully responsive and in panic mode. **BP high at 160/120, ***P 108, ****RR varies between 20 and 50, pupils are responsive, lungs clear and no sign of incontinence, which is common among true seizure Pts (as well as biting of the tongue.)

            Further questioning of the guards reveal the Pt had a visitor and was expected to be transported to another facility that day.

            Tom then asks Peter what he thinks is wrong with the man. Peter responds by stating it must be a seizure so I assume I should administer Valium per medical direction. Tom then informs Peter “This is a cocaine overdose.”

            Peter asked the guard if the Pt had done any drugs, the guard said no. He then asked the Pt the same question and received the same response, no.

            Tom then told him “Don’t trust what anyone says. Focus, rule out, do your assessment.”

            I too was taught this in EMT school. Never assume anything. If you get a call for chest pain you may be expecting a heart attack right? But then arrive on scene to find you are dealing with a Pt who is a shooting victim and now you may be in an unsafe situation. Be prepared for anything, be ready for the worst.

*Pt- abbreviated for Patient

**BP- abbreviated for blood pressure

***P- abbreviated for Pulse

****RR- abbreviated for respiratory rate