EMR Chapter 25-MCIT-F3-1205 | Tension Takedown -Thoracostomy A-Z
EMR Chapter 25-MCIT-F3-1205 | Tension Takedown -Thoracostomy A-Z : This course is specifically designed for EMRs continuing education. The course discusses chest anatomy and injury recognition, tension pneumothorax essentials, handling precise conditions in day-to-day work, and S-Bar format.
The lessons covered are
- Lesson 1: Chest Anatomy and Injury Recognition
- Lesson 2: Tension Pneumothorax Essentials
- Lesson 3: EMR Scope and Interventions
- Lesson 4: Advanced Provider Interface
Excerpt from EMR Chapter 25-MCIT-F3-1205 | Tension Takedown -Thoracostomy A-Z
Vital signs are your objective measure of a patient’s condition and can reveal respiratory distress before obvious physical signs develop. Normal adult ranges include:
Heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute,
Respiratory rate of 12 to 20 breaths per minute,
Blood pressure around 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury, and
Oxygen saturation above 94% on room air.
Early indicators of respiratory compromise include increased respiratory rate, known as tachypnea, and increased heart rate, known as tachycardia, as the body attempts to compensate for decreased oxygen. The patient may initially maintain normal blood pressure and even normal oxygen saturation through these compensatory mechanisms, which is why trending vital signs over time is crucial.
Pay special attention to patients who position themselves in the “tripod position” – sitting upright and leaning forward with arms braced on their knees or the stretcher. This position maximizes lung expansion and is a significant indicator of respiratory distress. Regarding pulse oximetry, remember that readings may be normal initially even with significant injury, as the body compensates.
Core Concepts & Takeaways
- Identify at least three early warning signs of tension pneumothorax (including asymmetrical chest movement, decreased breath sounds, and progressive tachypnea) during patient assessment within 2 minutes of initial patient contact.
- Demonstrate proper high-flow oxygen administration technique using a non-rebreather mask at 15 Liters per minute and appropriate patient positioning for respiratory distress management on a simulated chest trauma patient.
- Differentiate between simple and tension pneumothorax by analyzing vital sign trends and physical assessment findings, correctly categorizing 4 out of 5 patient scenarios as requiring either urgent or emergency transport.
- Apply the S-BAR communication format to deliver a complete patient handoff to ALS providers in under 60 seconds, including mechanism of injury, vital sign trends, interventions performed, and patient response to treatment.
- Formulate appropriate transport decisions based on assessment findings by selecting the correct transport priority (emergency vs. urgent), need for ALS intercept, and destination facility for at least 80% of presented tension pneumothorax case scenarios.
Important Notes:
To get credit for this course, you must watch all the lessons in their entirety, the course review, and pass the quiz at the end with a score of 75% or better.
Course Curriculum
EMR Chapter 25-MCIT-F3-1205 | Tension Takedown -Thoracostomy A-Z
-
Lesson 0 – Chapter Introduction
02:43 -
Lesson 1 – Chest Anatomy and Injury Recognition
11:02 -
Lesson 2 – Tension Pneumothorax Essentials
12:56 -
Lesson 3 – EMR Scope and Interventions
14:24 -
Lesson 4 – Advanced Provider Interface
14:09 -
Lesson 5 – Chapter Review
03:29 -
EMR Chapter 25-MCIT-F3-1205 | Tension Takedown -Thoracostomy A-Z | QUIZ
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An application for accreditation has been submitted to the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education.
Disclosure: The planners, faculty, and content developers of this activity have no relevant financial relationships or commercial interests to disclose. No commercial support was received for this activity.
