Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XIII · Medical Emergencies · 08

Other emergencies

Patients on long-term steroids can develop adrenal crisis under stress, with weakness, confusion, hypotension and abdominal pain. Opioid overdose causes pinpoint pupils and slow breathing and is reversed with naloxone. In late pregnancy, lying flat lets the uterus compress the vena cava, so turn the patient onto her left side. Thyroid storm brings fever, tachycardia and agitation.

High-yield facts · 4

  1. Adrenal crisis: in patients on long-term steroids under stress; signs are weakness, confusion, hypotension, abdominal pain; call EMS, oxygen, supine.T8
  2. Opioid overdose: pinpoint pupils, slow breathing; naloxone reverses it.S51
  3. Supine hypotensive syndrome in late pregnancy: the uterus compresses the vena cava; turn the patient onto her left side.T8
  4. Thyroid storm (hyperthyroid crisis) can be triggered by stress, infection or surgery; signs include fever, tachycardia and agitation.T8

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