Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

6 Medical Emergencies

ischemia – A restriction in blood supply to tissues, which causes a shortage of oxygen and glucose. postictal state – The recovery period after a seizure. It generally lasts from 5 to 30 minutes, but sometimes can be longer. seizure (convulsion) – A temporary alteration in a person’s level of consciousness, resulting in involuntary movements. status epilepticus – Seizures that occur every few minutes without the patient regaining consciousness or if any seizure lasts more than 20 to 30 minutes. stroke – When brain tissue is cut off from the flow of oxygenated blood resulting in brain tissue death. tonic-clonic seizure – A type of seizure in which the patient experiences periods of rigidity and relaxation as the muscles tense and relax.

Vital Vocabulary altered mental status – When the patient is not behaving normally. They may not be thinking clearly or not responding to their environment. They may be unconscious or seem alert but confused. aura – Symptoms that a patient may experience before they have a seizure. diabetes – A condition when a patient’s body has either a problem with the production of insulin or a problem with how the body’s cells use the insulin. febrile seizures – Seizures that are caused by sudden high fever. These are most common in infants and children. hypoglycemia – When the amount of glucose in the blood falls below the body’s requirements. incontinent – When a patient loses control of their bladder or bowel.

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