Paramedic End of Shift Report PLEURAL EFFUSION
I will do my best to keep all HIPPA laws in check. Which basically means I cannot give any info that would identify anyone in any way possible. I also cannot talk about high profile cases. I think I have done a good job of not violating these rules but please notify me if I have somehow.
All photos are taken from the internet randomly.
Case study purpose only
Male in his early 70s is lying in bed; doesn't feel good. Unable to explain exactly how.
This pt is alert and oriented. Pale and cold; afebrile.
States he has been feeling very weak all day.
Significantly worse within the last hour.
Cardiac Hx; Heart attack in the 80s and recent CA hx where he is taking chemotherapy.
Pt states chemo wipes him out but this is different.
Sugar is within normal limits; paced rhythm at 90 on the monitor.
12-lead just reads paced; unknown if cardiac incident is happening underneath.
Pt is carried outside in a stair chair due to the inability to walk on his own.
Exerted very quickly; out of breathe from just standing and sitting on the gurney.
SaO2 bounces from 88-100; states he is having some trouble breathing but not too bad.
Productive cough x 1 day; clear phlegm. no fever. speaking in full sentences.
Denies hx of COPD or LVH. Smoker hx but quit decades ago.
Lung sounds; absent lung sounds in the lower right side only.
Pleural Effusion - Fluid in the lung
Pt placed on high flow O2 via NRM; SaO2 remains at 100%.
No need for CPAP at the moment.
18 guage in the left AC attached to a saline lock.
Code 3 return to the hospital...
Hx of Hypertension and Cancer
All images are taken from bing.com under keywords mentioned above
If I am doing anything that violates hippa or if you have any concerns - please voice them because I would be happy to hear or take down this post. I thought it would be kind of cool to have a medical discussion; people can learn or even I could learn by someone else sharing knowledge. This is only 1 out of 3 calls I had but this one was the best medical.
