Ten Minute Medic

In this week's podcast, you will learn 1.  The pathophysiology behind an asthma attack 2.  The three types of asthma attacks 3.  The role of bronchodilators and corticosterioids in the treatment of asthma. Additional Resources for Students The Pathophysiology of Asthma -The Khan Academy What is Asthma- Dr. Alex Thomas Paramedic Student Review Questions: Of the following, which would be considered...

Trauma has become the most frequent cause of death of the OB patient in the United States. Although maternal mortality due to other causes such as infection, hemorrhage, hypertension, and thromboembolism, has declined over the years, the number of maternal deaths due to penetrating trauma, suicide, homicide and motor vehicle accidents has risen steadily. Accidental injuries occur in 6 to 7 % of al...

This is the second part of our Autism and What EMS Needs to Know series.    My guests are Dustin Young, Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Tillamook Family Counseling Corporation and Nick Watts, Community Paramedic with Tillamook County EMS.  In this week’s presentation the student will Identify the changes in autism as a child transitions into an adult. How autistic patients learn how to se...

This week’s podcast will be a two parter!  Recently I was with the paramedic students at Arkansas State University and they requested a podcast on the EMS response to autism.  In response to their request, I’ve changed the format just a bit from that of a monologue to an interview.  My guests are Dustin Young, Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Tillamook Family Counseling Corporation and Nic...

In this episode of the Ten Minute Medic, we take a look at the ability of your patient to make competent decisions.  At the end of this podcast, the student will 1.  Understand the difference between competency and capacity 2.  Understand the legal ramifications of failing to recognize competency 3.  Understand the ASSET method of assessing competency. In the podcast, I reference an article entitl...

In this episode, the paramedic student will: 1.  Understand the pathophysiology behind the cellular immune response 2.  Be able to recognize the differences between anaphylaxis and a localized allergic reaction 3.  Understand the role of epinephrine and diphenhydramine in the treatment of anaphylaxis.

It's that time of the year when EMS students begin to sign up for their NREMT exams.  In this podcast, we take a look a couple of urban legends regarding the exam, how the exam is constructed and what you can do to give yourself that added edge when you are sitting in front of that computer in the testing center.

In this episode of the Ten Minute Medic the listener will: 1.  understand the pathophysiology behind the development and destruction of clots after trauma; 2.  learn the findings of the CRASH 2 study regarding TXA administration; 3.  review one potential protocol for the administration of TXA.  

 At the end of this podcast the paramedic student will: 1.  understand the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia 2.  understand the treatment of hypoglycemia 3.  be able to differentiate the different levels of hyperglycemia 4.  verbalize the treatment approaches for hyperglycemia Please consider leaving us a rating with your favorite podcast delivery service.  Doing so will help us to reach more par...

Some forms of diabetes have been called a disease of lifestyle.  There is no doubt that, in western culture, it is increasing.  In this two part podcast we will : 1.  review the anatomy and physiology of the pancreatic system 2.  understand the role that insulin, glucose and glycogen play in homeostasis Thanks for listening!

In this final session of this two part podcast, the student will 1.  weigh the benefits versus the risks of moving from basic airway maneuvers to more advanced ones. 2.  understand the importance of adequate airway suctioning versus limiting it to 10-15 seconds. 3. be introduced to the concepts of rapid sequence intubation and drug assisted intubation.  The protocol established by the Kentucky Boa...

The Ten Minute Medic takes a look at the airway of the trauma patient.  In this session, you will learn: 1.  the role of external and internal respiration. 2.  factors that influence alveolar and cellular gas exchange. 3.  the dangers of hyperventilation of your patient. Next weeks podcast will continue the discussion of the airway of the trauma patient.  If you would like to have a topic covered,...

This is the second part of the Pathophysiology of Shock episode.  In this recording we'll look at: 1.  Why relying on a BP for indication of shock could be deadly for your patient, 2.  The three stages of shock and why you must be aggressive in its recognition and treatment and, 3.  How the movement of fluid in and out of the cells affects the hemostatic status of your patient. 

This week and next week the Ten Minute Medic will cover the workings of the body in shock and why this topic is probably the most important lecture you will cover in your paramedic class.  This is a two part episode. 

The rules of engagement for active shooting scenes have changed.  No longer can EMS sit back until the "scene is secure".  In this podcast, we will review the kinematics of gunshot wounds that will enable you to better assess, recognize and treat your gunshot patient. 

We come to the end of our series on acid base balance with a look at metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.  In this podcast you will learn: 1.  The most common cause of metabolic acidosis 2.  Why the administration of sodium bicarbonate for your patient in metabolic acidosis may be deadly 3.  A summary of pathophysiology pearls to remember when addressing acid base issues.

For your patient, there is, probably, no more frightening sensation than that of not being able to breathe.  This is never more true than in the patient who is in respiratory alkalosis.  In this podcast we look at: 1.  What respiratory alkalosis is. 2.  The pathophysiology behind it. 3.  The best way to treat, and not treat, your patient.

Respiratory acidosis is commonly seen in the pre-hospital patient.  In this episode, we take a look at the pathophysiology and treatment approach of this frequently encountered condition. 

We've all been there!  What do you do after that massive chili cheese burger?  You reach for an antacid!  In this episode, we take a look at the mechanisms that the body uses to help maintain a homeostatic pH so that we live the best life.  This also introduces a four part series in which we will take a look at each of the syndromes that occur when acid-base balance gets out of kilter. 

Conventional EMS education says that T wave abnormalities are present with an elevated potassium.  Is that always true.  In today's podcast, Dr. Bill Young takes a look at some of the most common symptoms of hyperkalemia as well as the importance of understanding the pathophysiology behind it. 

Could oxygen be detrimental to our cardiac patients? You bet your sweet nitroglycerine it could be. Learn more from this week's podcast!

Although a newcomer to the drug bags of paramedics, ketamine was first developed in 1962 and used as an anesthetic in surgery.  Over the last couple of years, it has become an attractive option for use in the prehospital arena because of it many applications, it’s safety as an anesthetic and fairly rapid onset of action. 

It is fall of the year and this is the time that health care providers begin to think about childhood respiratory diseases.  In this podcast, we will take a brief look at some of the more common pediatric respiratory diseases that you may come into contact with. 

The presence of a right ventricular MI has always been something that has a mysterious hold for paramedics.  In the past, any patient with a RVMI was prohibited from receiving NTG because of a possibility that they would suffer from life threatening hypotension.  However, is this the case.  In this podcast, we will look at the pathophysiology of the RVMI and maybe even dispel some myths

One of the most common cardiac related emergencies that the paramedic will be called upon to deal with is that of congestive heart failure.  In this podcast, we will look at the pathophysiology of the disease process, the symptoms that your patient may present and the treatment that you may be called upon to give.