a. Prepare for Emergencies.
(1) Maintain proficiency in applying basic medical measures such as
clearing an airway, restoring breathing and heartbeat (cardiopulmonary resuscitation),
(2)
Have emergency equipment ready for use and immediately available.
(3) Be familiar with the operation of all emergency apparatus and the use of
all items on an emergency tray without having to refer to a manual or instruction
booklet.
b. Initiate Patient Care Measures. In an emergency, you should:
(1) Take the patient to an examining or treatment room and, if his condition
allows, have him lie down.
(2) Find out what is wrong. This can be done by observing the patient and
asking the patient if he is in pain. If the patient is in pain, ask him where he hurts.
(3) Look for signs of breathing difficulty, bleeding, shock, and poison.
Treatment of these conditions takes precedence over everything else since they are life-
threatening.
(4) Notify the physician, PA, or other designated personnel immediately and
give a brief description of the nature of the emergency and the patient's condition. An
emergency or seriously ill patient should never be left unattended. If you must leave the
patient, have someone remain with him until you return. Return to the patient as quickly
as possible.
(5)
Take and record the patient's vital signs.
(6)
Obtain a chaperon, if needed.
(a) When a male performs a medical examination or procedure on a
female patient (adult or child), a chaperon is needed. The chaperon is normally a
female nurse or attendant. When female personnel are not assigned to the clinic or are
not available, it is important to request that the husband, the parent, or a responsible
female adult remain in the waiting room on call in case a chaperon is needed.
(b) The male medical specialist assisting with patient care must make
certain that an appropriate chaperon is present before preparing the female patient for
examination, before advising a male medical officer that the patient is ready for
examination or treatment, or before performing any procedure himself.
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