Human Bioscience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human Bioscience - Essay Example bases with a breathing rate of 40 beats/min and the skin is flushed. Electrocardiograph (ECG) demonstrates tachycardia (fast heart rate). The child remains semi-conscious.   John and Linda put on gloves and initiate supportive care and treatment for this child. They proceed with the following treatment:   Airway – insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway   Breathing – application of a non-rebreather oxygen mask   Circulation – location and cannulation of an accessible vein for fluid hydration and drug administration.   The treatment is completed and the paramedics carry the child down to their stretcher and out to their vehicle. John goes into the back of the ambulance with the child and Linda climbs behind the steering wheel and drives to the hospital. At the hospital the paramedics perform a handover to the medical staff providing the history and the results of their examination.   The medical officer, Dr. George, makes enquires of the mother confirming the initially supplied patient history. Dr. George notes that the mother is periodically coughing and asks her about her own health. The mother replies that she had been ill last week and she thought it might have been flu as her joints were achy but that she did not see the doctor as she was too busy at work. She self-medicated throughout with cold and flu tablets from the local chemist. She now feels much better but still is periodically coughing. The mother is 22 years old. Dr. George has admitted to the hospital several very unwell patients with flu like symptoms and a cough in the past few days aged between 8 and 20 years, one of whom is currently semi-conscious and in intensive care.   The nursing staff, Sue and James, repeat the observations for body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate and level of consciousness whilst also transferring the child from the ambulance equipment to the hospital’s breathing support equipment and ECG monitor. James puts on gloves and checks that the cannula placement and drip line have remained patent during the transfer. Dr. George checks the child for neck rigidity and reactions to bright light. He then takes a blood sample and orders a full blood count and antibody markers as well as a chest X-ray and spinal tap for a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample. He also writes a request for the fluid hydration to be continued and prescribes an antipyretic to lower the child’s temperature. Dr. George is looking to differentiate between influenza and meningitis. Dr. George considers prescribing antibiotics as a precautionary measure for meningitis whilst awaiting the results of the diagnostic tests.   Dr. George then proceeds to take a more detailed history of where the child has spent the last couple of weeks and who he and the mother have been in contact with.