About
Section 1: General Patient Care
Section 2: Medical Protocols
2.01 - Adrenal Insufficiency / Crisis (Adult & Pediatric)2.02A - Allergic Reaction / Anaphylaxis2.02P - Allergic Reaction / Anaphylaxis2.03A - Altered Mental / Neurological Status / Diabetic Emergencies / Coma - Adult2.03P - Altered Mental / Neurological Status / Diabetic Emergencies / Coma - Pediatric2.04 - Behaviorial Emergencies (Adult & Pediatric)2.05 - Behaviorial Emergencies - Restraints (Adult & Pediatric)2.06A - Bronchospasm / Respiratory Distress (Adult)2.06P - Bronchospasm / Respiratory Distress (Pediatric)2.07 - Hyperthermia (Environmental - Adult & Pediatric)2.08 - Hypothermia (Environmental - Adult & Pediatric)2.09 - Nerve Agent / Organophosphate Poisoning2.10 - Obstetrical Emergencies2.11 - Newly Born Care2.12 - Resuscitation of the Newly born2.13 - Pain and Nausea Management2.14 - Poisoning / Substance Abuse / Overdose2.15A - Seizures2.15P - Seizures2.16A - Shock2.16P - Shock2.17A - Sepsis2.17P - Sepsis2.18 - Stroke2.19 - Hyperkalemia2.20 - Home Hemodialysis Emergency Disconnect
Section 3: Cardiac Emergencies
Section 4: Trauma Protocols
Section 5: Airway Protocols & Procedures
Section 6: Medical Director Options
Section 7: Medical Policies & Procedures
Section 8: Special Operations Principles
Appendices
2.16P - Shock
Note:
Any patient with signs, symptoms, and history suggesting inadequate tissue perfusion should be considered tbe in shock. Make every effort tdetermine and treat the underlying cause. Regardless of etiology, shock patients should be transported immediately tthe nearest appropriate facility for definitive care .
EMT-Basic (Medical Control)
- Keep the patient supine
- Prevent heat loss by covering with warm blankets if available and if the patient is not febrile.
Cardiogenic Shock
Distributive Shock
Hypovolemic Shock
Obstructive Shock
If patient has history of adrenal insufficiency, manage according to protocol2.1 Adrenal Insufficiency.
If suspected anaphylaxis, manage according to protocol.
If neurogenic shock is suspected: Spinal immobilization
If suspected anaphylaxis, manage according to protocol.
If neurogenic shock is suspected: Spinal immobilization
Control active bleeding using direct pressure, pressure bandages, tourniquets (commercial tourniquets preferred), or hemostatic bandage.
EMT-Advanced (Standing Orders)
Cardiogenic Shock
Distributive Shock
Hypovolemic Shock
Obstructive Shock
Obtain vascular access. Therapeutic endpoints to fluid resuscitation (in order of importance) are:Capillary refill, Normal pulses, No difference between peripheral and central pulses, Warm extremities, Normal mental status, and THEN normal blood pressure. Consider 20 ml/kg Normal Saline fluid bolus.
Obtain vascular access. Therapeutic endpoints to fluid resuscitation (in order of importance) are:Capillary refill, Normal pulses, No difference between peripheral and central pulses, Warm extremities, Normal mental status, and THEN normal blood pressure. Consider 20 ml/kg Normal Saline fluid bolus.
- Consider 20 ml/kg Normal Saline fluid bolus.
EMT-Paramedic (Standing Orders)
- Consider fluid administration
- If signs and symptoms of hypoperfusion persist or symptoms worsen, regardless of etiology, consider norepinephrine or dopamine administration via length-based resuscitation tape in the absence of hemorrhagic shock, with medical control approval.
EMT-Paramedic (Medical Control)
- Norepinephrine infusion by pump 0.1mcg/kg/min IV/IO, titrate to goal Systolic Blood Pressure of 90mmHg, OR
- Dopamine 2-20 mcg/kg/min IV/IO
- Needle decompression for tension pneumothorax
Note:
Etiology of Shock
- Cardiogenic Shock: History of cardiac surgery, rhythm disturbances, or post cardiac arrest. Assess for acute MI and pulmonary edema.
- Signs & Symptoms of cardiogenic shock: chest pain, shortness of breath, crackles, JVD, hypotension, tachycardia, diaphoresis.
- Distributive Shock: Anaphylaxis (see 2.2 Allergic Reaction/Anaphylaxis), neurogenic shock, sepsis. Assess for fever and signs of infection.
- Signs & Symptoms of neurogenic shock: sensory and/or motor loss, hypotension, bradycardia versus normal heart-rate, warm, dry skin.
- Hypovolemic Shock: Dehydration, volume loss, or hemorrhagic shock.
- Signs & Symptoms of hypovolemic shock: tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, diaphoresis, cool skin, pallor, flat neck veins.
- Obstructive Shock: Consider tension pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, and cardiac tamponade.
- Signs and symptoms of tension pneumothorax: asymmetric or absent unilateral breath sounds, respiratory distress or hypoxia, signs of shock including tachycardia and hypotension, JVD, possible tracheal deviation above the sternal notch (late sign).
Note:
For patients with uncontrolled hemorrhagic or penetrating torso injuries:
- Restrict IV fluids. Delaying aggressive fluid resuscitation until operative intervention may improve the outcome.
- Patients should be reassessed frequently, with special attention given to the lung examination to ensure volume overload does not occur.
- Several mechanisms for worse outcomes associated with IV fluid administration have been suggested, including dislodgement of clot formation, dilution of clotting factors, and acceleration of hemorrhage caused by elevated blood pressure.