health and living

Understanding Ventilator Graphics

What is ventilator management? Intubation is used when a patient cannot breathe on their own and may be used in the emergency room (ER) or during surgery. Intubation is a procedure performed when patients are unable to breathe themselves. It may be performed as a life-saving procedure in the emergency room (ER) or during the …

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What Drugs Are Used in Rapid Sequence Intubation?

What is rapid sequence intubation (RSI)? Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is the administration of a strong anesthetic agent followed by a rapidly acting paralytic agent (all within one minute) to make the patient unconscious. It is performed when the patient may not be fasting and is therefore at a high risk of aspiration (entry of gastric contents into the airways).  …

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What Is an Eucapnic Hyperventilation (EVH) Test?

What is an eucapnic hyperventilation (EVH) test? Eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) is a provocative test to diagnose exercise-induced airway narrowing (exercise-induced bronchospasm). Which individuals require eucapnic hyperventilation (EVH) test? Eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) is usually done for below individuals: Occupations in which asthma needs to be excluded, such as divers and army personnel In professional athletes to prove that they …

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What Are the General Principles of Internal Fixation?

What is internal fixation? Internal fixation involves setting and stabilizing the fractured bones by cutting open the skin. The bones are realigned to their normal position. Internal fixation uses special implants such as plates, screws, nails, and wires, which hold together the corrected bones. The advantages of internal fixation are as follows: Shorter hospital stay Allows the patients to return …

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How Long Does Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery Take?

What is gastric bypass surgery? Gastric bypass surgery alters the size of the stomach to restrict the amount of calories morbidly obese people can consume. The laparoscopic version of the surgery is less invasive than an open surgery and often improves recovery times. Gastric bypass surgery is a weight loss surgery. In this surgery, a surgeon makes changes to the …

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Hypothermia Symptoms, Definition, Treatment & Signs

What is hypothermia? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Picture of the stages of frostbite Hypothermia is defined as a body temperature (core, or internal body temperature) of less than about 95 F (35 C). Usually, hypothermia occurs when the body's temperature regulation is overwhelmed by a cold environment. However, in the medical and lay literature there are essentially two …

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What Is Posterior Long Arm Splinting? Purpose

What is a posterior long arm splint? Posterior arm splinting is often the treatment of choice in the emergency department (ED) because they reduce swelling that may be present at the site of injury and thereby reduce the further risks. Posterior long arm splint is used in the management of multiple upper long arm injuries. A splint is a type …

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When Should a Tracheostomy Tube Be Changed?

What is a tracheostomy? A tracheostomy is an opening that surgeons make through the front of the neck and into the windpipe (trachea) to keep it open for breathing. A tracheostomy is an opening that surgeons make through the front of the neck and into the windpipe (trachea). The tracheostomy tube is placed into the opening to keep it open …

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How Do You Wrap a Thumb Spica Splint?

What are splints? A thumb spica splint is used to minimize movement and support an injured thumb. A splint is a rigid or flexible device that maintains in position a displaced or movable part and protects it from any further damage. Splints are usually applied to reduce movement and provide support and comfort by stabilizing an injury.  Splints are primarily …

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What Is a Short Arm Splint? 5 Types and Used For

What is a short arm splint? Short arm splints are used for several different types of injuries include fractures to the bone close to the wrist and others. Short arm splints are short splints that immobilize joints of the hand and wrist or to protect bony and soft tissues in the forearm (between the elbow and wrist). They also extend …

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