Foreword

xi

Introduction

xiii

1

Airway Management

1

Definition of Airway Management

2

Concept of a Stepwise Approach

2

Basic Anatomy of the Airway

3

Basic Airway Management Manoeuvres

6

Basic Airway Adjuncts

7

Advanced Airway Adjuncts and Cricothyroidotomy

16

Chapter Key Points

30

References and Further Reading

30

2

Assisted Ventilation

35

Definition of Assisted Ventilation

36

Indications for Assisted Ventilation

37

The Literature and Complications Associated with Assisted Ventilation

39

Equipment and Procedures for Assisted Ventilation

42

Chapter Key Points

47

References and Further Reading

47

3

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Basic Life Support

49

Definitions

50

The Chain of Survival

50

Adult Basic Life Support

51

Basic Life Support in Pregnancy

58

Mechanical Chest Compression Devices

59

The Recovery Position

60

Paediatric Basic Life Support

62

Newborn Life Support

67

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (Choking)

70

Chapter Key Point

76

References and Further Reading

76

4

Defibrillation

79

Definition of Defibrillation

80

The Literature Behind Defibrillation

80

Procedure for Defibrillation

84

Definition of Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing (TCP)

85

Terminology Used in Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing

86

Indications for Use of Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing

86

The Literature Behind Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing

87

Equipment

87

Chapter Key Points

89

References and Further Reading

89

5

Cardiovascular Observations and Examination Techniques

93

The Assessment of Pulses

94

Capillary Refill Time Measurement

100

Blood Pressure Measurement

101

The Electrocardiogram

109

Cardiac Auscultation

117

Temperature Measurement

121

Chapter Key Points

125

References and Further Reading

125

6

Respiratory Observations and Examination Techniques

129

Indications for Respiratory Assessment

130

Respiratory Rate

131

Respiratory Depth Assessment

132

Chest and Respiratory Inspection

133

Chest Compliance

133

Respiratory Pattern/Rhythm Assessment

135

Oxygen Saturations/Pulse Oximetry

136

Peak Flow Measurement

139

Chest Percussion

141

Tactile Vocal Fremitus

147

Chest Auscultation

148

Vocal Resonance

150

Chapter Key Points

151

References and Further Reading

152

7

Neurological Observations and Examination Techniques

155

Definitions

156

Level of Consciousness Assessment

156

Pupillary Assessment

163

Assessing Motor Function

165

Assessment of Reflexes

165

Assessment of Movement and Power

166

Assessment of Co-Ordination

166

Assessment of Abnormal Movements

166

Sensory Function Assessment

167

FAST

167

Vital Signs

169

Blood Glucose Testing

169

Chapter Key Points

172

References and Further Reading

173

8

History Taking and Communication

175

Definitions

176

Key Communication Skills

176

Communication Models

177

The Practitioner-Patient Relationship

178

A Standardised History Framework

178

Questioning Techniques

183

Consent

184

Chapter Key Points

185

References and Further Reading

185

9

Documentation and Record Keeping

187

Definitions

188

Why Keep Healthcare Records?

188

What Constitutes Good Medical Records?

189

Models of Record Keeping

190

Abbreviations

192

Key Documents in Record Keeping and Documentation

192

The Caldicott Guardian

194

Electronic Patient Records

194

Chapter Key Points

195

References and Further Reading

195

10

Drug Administration

197

Definitions

198

Legislation Related to Paramedic Administration of Drugs

198

Drug Formulations

199

Drug Documentation

201

Storage of Drugs

201

Routes of Administration

203

Chapter Key Points

211

References and Further Reading

211

11

Medical Gases

213

Definition and Indications for the Use of Entonox

214

Advantages of Entonox

214

Contraindications to the Use of Entonox

214

Equipment

216

Principles of Administration of Entonox

216

Procedure for Administering Entonox

217

Troubleshooting

218

Definition of Oxygen Therapy

218

Indications for Use

219

Cautions and Contraindications to the Use of Oxygen

219

Equipment

220

Procedure for Administering Oxygen

224

Use of Cylinders and Cylinder Safety

225

Chapter Key Points

226

References and Further Reading

227

12

Infection Control

229

Definitions

230

Indications for Infection Control

230

Hand Hygiene

231

Personal Protective Equipment

232

Chapter Key Points

237

References and Further Reading

237

13

Vascular Access Devices

239

Definition of a Vascular Access Device

240

Anatomy of Veins

240

Peripheral Cannulas

241

Indications for Peripheral Cannulation

242

Selection of Device for Peripheral Cannulation

242

Selection of Vein

243

Techniques of Venodilatation

244

Complications of Peripheral Venous Cannulation

245

Procedure for Peripheral Venous Cannulation

247

Intraosseous Infusion

257

Anatomy of Bones

257

Indications for Intraosseous Access

257

Contraindications to Intraosseous Access

258

Equipment for Intraosseous Access

258

Complications of Intraosseous Access

258

Location Sites for Intraosseous Access

258

Procedures for Intraosseous Access

259

Chapter Key Points

266

References and Further Reading

266

14

Needle Thoracocentesis

271

Definitions

272

The Literature Surrounding Needle Thoracocentesis

273

Equipment

274

Indications for Use

274

Contraindications for Use

274

Potential Problems of Use

275

Procedures for Needle Thoracocentesis

275

Chapter Key Points

276

References and Further Reading

277

15

Pain Assessment and Management

279

Definitions

280

Acute Pain V Chronic Pain

281

Assessing Pain

281

Assessing Pain in Cognitively Impaired Patients

287

Overview of Pain Management Techniques

288

Chapter Key Points

290

References and Further Reading

291

16

Fracture and Soft Tissue Injury Management

293

Definitions: What are Fractures, Sprains, Strains and Dislocations?

294

General Principles of Musculoskeletal Injury Management

294

Principles of Splinting

295

Slings and Support Bandages

297

Box Splints

300

Vacuum Splints

304

Neighbour Strapping

305

Traction Splints

306

SAM Splints

312

Pelvic Fractures

313

Chapter Key Points

316

References and Further Reading

316

17

Spinal Management

319

Relevant Gross Anatomy

320

Evidence on How to Immobilise the Spine

320

Hazards and Complications Associated with Spinal Immobilisation

321

Indications for Spinal Immobilisation

324

Equipment and Procedures

326

Chapter Key Points

334

References and Further Reading

335

18

Assessment and Management of Wounds and Burns

337

Definitions

338

Classification of Wounds

339

Wound Healing

340

Principles of Wound Management

342

The Use of Tourniquets and Haemostatic Dressings

345

Burns Assessment

348

Burn Management Principles

353

Chapter Key Points

357

References and Further Reading

358

19

Moving and Handling Procedures

361

Definitions

362

Why is Moving and Handling Important?

362

Key Legislation

363

Manual Handling and No Lift Policies

365

Risk Assessment in Moving and Handling

365

Biomechanical Principles

366

Principles of Manual Handling

367

Additional Principles

369

Lifting Aids

370

Chapter Key Points

371

References and Further Reading

371

Index

373