(29:00) More trauma skills testing, EMS Ops test, and a volunteer shift, for Ron this week. He also has some questions about how long it is before the new paramedic becomes the in-charge. Clinical internship – should you do it with your own service?
EMS Newbie EMSWorld Essay Contest
Listener Questions Episode Post
AJ – Hello! I have a question about overdose. I am an EMT-B, but I am very interested in physiology and toxicology. I was recently called to a pt who had tried to kill himself using standard medicine cabinet – 1/2 bottle of exedrine, 1/2 bottle of aleve, 12 tablespoons of robutussin, unknown number of an unknown type of sleeping pills prescribed to someone else. Pt had consumed them over an hour ending 1/2 an hour before calling EMS. When we arrived, pt had HR at 100 and bounding, BP 150/60, skin pink, warm, diaphoretic, RR16 and adequate, only complaint was dizziness. My partner and I have been debating about O2 on this call. He says “it can’t hurt, and might help.” I say the mask would freak him out, and I would rather not have to cuff him to get him in the bus, unless he starts having trouble breat hing or showing sings of hypoxia. What are your thoughts? Follow protocol, and lose your pt’s compliance, or get him in the bus, monitor vitals, and be ready? Will O2 be physiologically helpful?
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