Shock
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Follow the links below to find our information partners' articles about medical shock.
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Last reviewed: April 2020
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Electric shock
Even for a mild electric shock, encourage the patient to seek medical aid for assessment of potential effects on the heart.
Read more on St John Ambulance Australia website
Electric shock - Better Health Channel
Always disconnect the power supply before trying to help a victim of electric shock.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Shock – physical | National Centre for Farmer Health
Medical shock is caused by not having enough blood circulating around your body. Reduced blood pressure decreases the flow of oxygen to vital organs and, unless attended to, is a life-threatening medical emergency. In an emergency always dial 000. Read more...
Read more on National Centre for Farmer Health website
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) - Better Health Channel
If you think you could have toxic shock syndrome, stop using tampons immediately and go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Shock - Better Health Channel
Shock is when there is not enough blood circulating in the body. It is a life-threatening medical emergency.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
EpiPen
EpiPen(R) and EpiPen Jr(R) are pre-loaded syringes that inject a single dose of adrenaline for the emergency treatment of adults and children who experience severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, or 'allergic shock').
Read more on Queensland Health website
Adrenaline autoinjectors||General use - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
Adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors (e.g EpiPen®) are approved for use in Australia and New Zealand for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, the most severe form of allergic reaction.
Read more on ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website
Lactate - Lab Tests Online AU
Why and when to get tested for lactate
Read more on Lab Tests Online AU website
In an emergency - Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
If you believe someone is experiencing anaphylaxis you MUST GIVE the adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjector (e.g. EpiPen) according to instruction on the ASCIA Action Plan. If you DO NOT have an adrenaline autoinjector: Lay person flat - do NOT allow them to stand or walk CALL AN AMBULANCE: DIAL TRIPLE ZERO 000
Read more on Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia website
Allergic reactions emergency first aid - Better Health Channel
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero (000).
Read more on Better Health Channel website
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Anaphylaxis and Treatment of an Anaphylactic Reaction
Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction that can occur and can be potentially life-threatening. So, when any one of the 4,000 people in Australia who experience an anaphylaxis each year have an anaphylactic reaction, it is a medical emergency (ARC 2016).
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Assessing the Risks of Postpartum Haemorrhage
Somewhere in the world a woman dies every 4 minutes from postpartum haemorrhage (Durdas 2012). As well as being a terrifying experience for the mother it can also be one of the most serious and alarming emergencies that a Midwife has to manage.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Brachial Plexus Injuries: Care and Treatment | Ausmed
The brachial plexus begins in the spinal cord at the cervical and upper thoracic region (from C5-T1) and is a system of nerves that relays messages to and from the central nervous system to your shoulder, arm and hand. If this web of nerves is damaged, it can have potentially severe consequences.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Hypovolaemia: Reversible Causes of Cardiac Arrest Series
Absolute hypovolaemia is the term used to describe loss of volume of fluid from the body, such as that which occurs during haemorrhage. Relative hypovolaemia is the term used when there is shifting or inappropriate redistribution of body fluids, as in major burn trauma.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Supporting People Living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The reality is, however, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a very real phenomenon. It’s not a new ‘fad’ or a ‘cosmetic diagnosis’ invented by pharmaceutical companies to push the increased use of medication, or by barristers as an excuse to get people off serious charges in court.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Medications to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a review of the evidence | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: There is moderate quality evidence for the efficacy of hydrocortisone for the prevention of PTSD development in adults
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Blood Transfusion Reactions
There are basically two different types of risks when giving blood. The first regards procedural errors that occur, such as placing incorrect labels on blood sampling tubes, and the second area of risk relates to transfusion reactions.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Prevent Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)
75% of hospital acquired UTIs are associated with the use of an indwelling urinary catheter (IDC) which is a significant number, considering that there is a 15-25% chance of a hospitalised patient needing a catheter inserted at some point during their stay (CDC 2015).
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Managing acute pulmonary oedema | Issue 2 | Volume 40 | Australian Prescriber | Australian Prescriber
In an area of limited clinical evidence, what are the first-line treatments for acute pulmonary oedema?
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Lung, Chest and Bowel Sounds Assessment Guide
Lung sounds tell you a great deal about a patient and their relative health. Knowing the difference between rales, a crackle, and a wheeze is sometimes still a confusing proposition for many nurses, especially new nurses. Part of the reason for that is that some of the language is interchangeable.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
