Assessment and Treatment of Neuro Injuries and Illness (5 hours - Basic, Intermediate and Paramedic levels)

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Purpose: To update and expand the knowledge of both the basic and the advanced EMT, relating to assessment and treatment of neurological injuries and illness.

Goal: To enable EMTs to better assess and manage victims neurological injuries and illness. To gain realization as to the importance of rapid and proper intervention in treatment of these injuries.

Objectives:     

  

  

  • To identify the parts of the nervous system and have a better understanding of their function
  • To identify factors to be elicited when evaluating the nervous system, including trauma and non-trauma related problems.
  • Describe the Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Review the differences between the major types of seizures.
  • To review the pathophysiology, assessment and management of various nervous system disorders.  
    1. Review Anatomy and Physiology (1 hour)
      1. Central nervous system
      2. Peripheral nervous system  
    2. Assessment of the Neurological System (1 hour)
      1. Primary assessment
      2. Secondary assessment
      3. Patient history
      4. Neurological evaluation
        1. AVPU
      5. Glasgow Coma Scale  
      Break - 15 minutes  
    3. Nervous System Emergencies (1.5 hours)
      1. Altered mental status
      2. Seizures
      3. Cerebrovascular accident - CVA
      4. Distinguishing transient ischemic attacks - TIA's
      5. Trauma
        1. Head Injuries
          1. How the brain is injured
          2. Assessment of the head-injured patient
          3. Scalp injuries
          4. Skull injuries
          5. Brain injuries
          6. Management of the head-injured patient
        2. Spinal Injury
          1. When to suspect a spinal cord injury
          2. Assessment of the patient with possible spinal cord injury
          3. Treatment of the patient with suspected spinal cord injury
          4. Spinal immobilization  
      Break - 15 minutes  
    4. Case review (1 hour)  
    5. Question and Answers (20 mins)
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    Western Massachusetts         Emergency Medical Services Inc.