Ten Minute Medic

In this episode we will take a look at the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome.  We'll also take a look at the types of fractures and how they might impact your patient.

In this extended podcast, we take a look at the causes, pathophysiologies and treatments of some of the more common classifications of shock that you might see in your pediatric patient. 

The early recognition of shock in the pediatric patient is imperative to the survival of your young patient. It's is important to remember that this condition does not always exhibit itself the same as it would in the adult.  In this first of a multi-podcast series, we will take a look at pathophysiology of shock and how to recognize some of the subtle symptoms. 

Watching a child struggle to breath is difficult to deal with.  However, what you do in the first few minutes of care could determine the outcome for your patient.  In this episode, we take a brief look at the issue of respiratory distress versus respiratory failure. 

Pediatric cardiac arrests are rare, but can be among the most stressful calls that the paramedic will encounter.  In this podcast, we take a look at the PALS algorithm for dealing with such high risk calls. 

The assessment skills of the paramedic are the most important ones that she posses.  In this episode, we take a look at how to have an organized assessment routine of our pediatric patients. 

Effective communication is imperative for the paramedic who is called upon to care for a pediatric patient. Failure to communicate raises both the human, social and economic costs of medicine.  In today’s podcast, we take a look at what some of the components of an effective resuscitation team are.  benefit from increased access to their medical histories, which reduces chances of medical errors....

For most pediatric patients, the cause of cardiac arrest can be traced to a respiratory issue.  In emergencies dealing with children, having impeccable BLS skills is critical.  In this podcast, we take a look at the importance of high quality CPR and other issues that address cardiac arrest in the pediatric patient.

It is important for the paramedic student to understand the pathophysiology that accompanies chest trauma, both blunt and penetrating.  In this podcast, we take a look at: 1.  Simple pneumothorax 2.  Open pneumothorax 3.  Tension pneumothorax

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.