Emergency Situation: Difficulty Breathing
Although very frightening, shortness of breath often passes in a few minutes. The first thing to do, if you can, is sit up straight, so that your lungs can expand fully, loosen restrictive clothing such as tight collars or bras, and concentrate on relaxing. Remember, anxiety can cause you to feel (or add to the feeling) that you're not getting enough air. Conserving energy is one way to prevent shortness of breath. Plan your steps-for example, keep frequently-used items such...Read the rest of this article »Related Articles
Emergency Situation: Severe Bleeding
Severe bleeding is another emergency to be prepared for. In case of a deep cut, keep the area clean and apply pressure. Try applying ice in a pack or plastic baggie directly to the cut. If the bleeding does not seem too serious, you may bring the patient to the hospital yourself but call the emergency room first for advice. Serious bleeding of an arm or leg may mean that a major artery has been cut. You should apply firm...Read the rest of this article »Related Articles
Emergency Situation: Broken Bones or Falls
An accident or fall is the final emergency situation we will discuss here. You can deal with this crisis best by checking quickly to see if the patient seems to have broken any bones. The most obvious sign of a broken bone is an arm or leg that appears bent into an unusual position. Other bone breaks are not so obvious and may need to be determined by x-ray examination. If you suspect that a bone may be broken or...Read the rest of this article »Related Articles
Emergency Disaster Preparedness
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, at least 140 residents of long-term care facilities died—either in nursing homes or during botched evacuations. About 60 percent of nursing homes failed to evacuate successfully before the storm hit. Federal regulations require all nursing home administrators to have emergency plans in place that include arrangements for transportation, shelter and supplies including food and medicine. But many of these plans failed. Emergency transportation contracts were not honored in the case of at least...Read the rest of this article »Related Articles
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