Apr 19, 2024  
2022-2023 College Catalog 
    
2022-2023 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

EMT 244 - ALS Advanced Medical Emergencies

2.5 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
2.25 lecture periods .75 lab periods

Continuation of EMT 224 . Advanced life support techniques using pre-hospital approaches to the recognition and intervention of medical emergencies related to toxicology, infectious disease, and hematology. Includes poisoning, drug overdose, and transmission of infectious diseases.

Prerequisite(s): EMT 224  
Information: Acceptance into the Paramedic  program is required before enrolling in this course.
  button image Prior Learning and link to PLA webpage

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Recognize medical emergencies related to toxicology, hazardous materials, infectious disease, and hematology.
  2. Recognize the effect of poisoning, drug overdose, and transmission of infectious diseases.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to mitigate an medical emergency involving toxic substances.
  4. Demonstrate appropriate personal protection equipment application needs for toxic emergencies.

Performance Objectives:
  1. Describe the incidence, morbidity and mortality of toxic emergencies.
  2. List the most common poisonings by inhalation.
  3. Discuss the management of toxic substances.
  4. Identify the anatomy of the hematopoietic system.
  5. Describe normal red blood cell production, function and destruction.
  6. Identify the characteristics of the inflammatory process.
  7. Apply public heath principles relevant to infectious and communicable disease.
  8. Discuss what constitutes a significant exposure to an infectious agent.
  9. Describe the specific anatomy and physiology pertinent to infectious and communicable diseases.

Outline:
  1. Toxicology
    1. Types of toxicological emergencies
    2. Use of poison control centers
    3. Routes of absorption
    4. Poisoning by ingestion
    5. Poisoning by inhalation
    6. Poisoning by injection
    7. Poisoning by absorption
    8. Drugs abuse
    9. Alcoholism
    10. Toxic syndromes
    11. Specific toxicology, assessment and management
      1. Cocaine
      2. Marijuana and cannabis compounds
      3. Amphetamines and amphetamine-like drugs
      4. Barbiturates
      5. Sedative-hypnotics
      6. Cyanide
      7. Narcotics and opiates
      8. Cardiac medications
      9. Caustics
      10. Common household poisonings
      11. Drugs abused for sexual purposes/ sexual gratification
      12. Carbon monoxide
      13. Alcohols
      14. Hydrocarbons
      15. Psychiatric medications
      16. Non-prescription pain medications
      17. Theophylline
      18. Metals
      19. Plants and mushrooms
      20. Food poisoning
      21. Bites and stings
  2. Hematology
    1. Epidemiology
    2. Anatomy and physiology review
    3. Pathophysiology
    4. Assessment of the hematopoietic system
    5. Focused history
    6. Detailed physical examination
    7. Management
    8. Specific illnesses and injuries
      1. Anemia
      2. Leukemia
      3. Lymphomas
      4. Polycythemia
      5. Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
      6. Hemophilia
      7. Sickle cell disease
      8. Multiple myeloma
      9. Integration
  3. Public Health Principles Relative to Infectious Diseases
    1. Demographic characteristics
    2. Relationships between populations
    3. Infectious disease cluster
  4. Public Health Agencies
    1. Local
    2. State
    3. Private
    4. Federal and national
  5. Exposure
    1. Infection
    2. Infectious Agents
    3. Pathogenicity
  6. Host Defense Mechanisms
    1. Nonspecific and surface defense mechanisms
    2. Overview of the immune system
    3. Immune system defenses
  7. Responsibility Relative to Isolation from Infectious Agent Exposure
    1. Healthcare agency’s exposure plan
    2. Individual responsibilities
    3. ALS Approach: Call with a Suspected Infectious or Communicable Disease
  8. Specific Infectious and Communicable Diseases
    1. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
    2. Hepatitis A
    3. Hepatitis B
    4. Hepatitis C
    5. Hepatitis non-ABC
    6. Tuberculosis
    7. Meningococcal meningitis
    8. Pneumonia
    9. Tetanus
    10. Rabies
    11. Viral diseases of childhood
      1. Chicken Pox
      2. Mumps
      3. Rubella
      4. Measles
      5. Pertussis
    12. Other viral diseases
      1. Influenza
      2. Mononucleosis
      3. Herpes simplex virus type 1
    13. Sexually transmitted diseases
      1. Syphilis
      2. Gonorrhea
      3. Chlamydia
      4. Herpes simplex virus type 2
    14. Scabies and Lice
    15. Lyme disease
    16. Gastroenteritis
  9. Reporting an Exposure to an Infectious and  Communicable Disease
    1. Definition of exposure
    2. Reporting an exposure
    3. Medical evaluation and follow up
    4. Written opinion and confidentiality
    5. Preventing disease transmission
    6. Medical and legal aspects