Cardiovascular Emergencies Part I (1.5 Hours)

During This Lecture, I Should Learn:

COGNITIVE OBJECTIVES

At the completion to this unit, the EMT-Intermediate student will be able to:

1. Describe the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cardiovascular disease.
2. Review cardiovascular anatomy and physiology.
3. Discuss prevention strategies that may reduce morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease.
4. Identify the risk factors most predisposing to coronary artery disease.
5. Identify and describe the components of assessment as it relates to the patient with cardiovascular compromise.

6. Define angina pectoris and myocardial infarction (MI).
7. List other clinical conditions that may mimic signs and symptoms of angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.
8. List the mechanisms by which an MI may be produced by traumatic and non-traumatic events.
9. List and describe the assessment parameters to be evaluated in a patient with chest pain.
10. Identify what is meant by the OPQRST of chest pain assessment.
11. List and describe the initial assessment parameters to be evaluated in a patient with chest pain that may be myocardial in origin.
12. Identify the anticipated clinical presentation of a patient with chest pain that may be angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.
13. Describe the pharmacological agents available to the EMT-Intermediate for use in the management of arrhythmias and cardiovascular emergencies.
14. Develop, execute, and evaluate a treatment plan based on the field impression for the patient with chest pain that may be indicative of angina or myocardial infarction.
15. Define the terms “congestive heart failure” and “pulmonary edema.”
16. Define the cardiac and non-cardiac causes and terminology associated with pulmonary edema and pulmonary edema.
17. Describe the early and late signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema.
18. Define the term “cardiogenic shock."
19. Define the term "cardiac arrest."
20. Define the term “resuscitation.”
21. Identify the critical actions necessary in caring for the patient in cardiac arrest.
22. Synthesize patient history, assessment findings to form a field impression for the patient with chest pain and cardiac arrhythmias that may be indicative of a cardiac emergency.

AFFECTIVE OBJECTIVES

1. Value and defend the sense of urgency necessary to protect the window of opportunity for reperfusion in the patient with chest pain and arrhythmias that may be indicative of angina or myocardial infarction.