All Emergencies - Basic life support principles:

1. Maintain an airway
2. Assess breathing
3. Monitor circulation

Diagnosis:

1. Check pulse if BP reading questionable
2. Treat sudden mental status change or nausea as a sign of low BP until proven otherwise
3. Patient with normal EKG and lower graph indicates pulseoxy plethysmogram- reflects tissue perfusion
4. Note pulse regularity and oxygen saturation
5. If EKG shows QRS complex stopped intermittently, there could be a block

Treatment:

1. If IV is started, administer fluid challenge (IV fluid bolus). Open flow rapidly until blood pressure increases.
2. If pulse < 60, treat both bradycardia & hypotension with atropine
3. - 0.5 mg q3-5 minutes x 4, maximum 2.0 mg.
4. If pulse > 60, treat with ephedrine 10 mg q3-5 min x 5
5. If hypotension persists, call 911