Approved Course Outline

Describe the evaluation of the “nature of illness”.

Discuss the importance of an evaluation of a patient with a medical emergency.

Identify the assessment factors for a patient with a medical complaint.

Discuss the components of the primary assessment for a patient with a medical complaint.

Discuss the components of the secondary assessment for a patient with a medical complaint.

Discuss the components of the re-assessment for a patient with a medical complaint.

Discuss forming a field impression for a patient with a medical complaint.

Determine a field differential diagnosis based on available information.

Identify the risk factors associated with nervous system dysfunction.

Review the anatomy and physiology of the organs and structures related to nervous system.

Discuss the pathophysiology and demonstrate the assessment, and management of patients with the following conditions: coma, altered mental status, seizures, syncope, transient ischemic attack, stroke and intracranial hemorrhage, degenerative neurologic diseases, chronic alcoholism, back pain and non-traumatic spinal disorders.

Describe and differentiate the major types of seizures.

Describe the types of stroke and intracranial hemorrhage.

Describe the significance of the prevalence of neurologic disorders in the United States.

Review the anatomy and physiology of the organs and structures related to gastrointestinal diseases.

Discuss the pathophysiology of inflammation and its relationship to acute abdominal pain.

Differentiate between hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic abdominal pain.

Describe the technique for performing a comprehensive physical examination on a patient complaining of abdominal pain.

Discuss the pathophysiology and demonstrate the assessment, and management of patients with the following abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders: both Upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, acute gastroenteritis, colitis, diverticulitis, appendicitis, peptic ulcer disease, bowel obstruction, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, esophageal varices, hemorrhoids, cholecystitis, acute hepatitis.

Identify patients with risk factors for gastrointestinal emergencies.

Define: Allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, antigens, antibodies.

Review the anatomy and physiology of the organs and structures related to anaphylaxis.

Describe the prevention of anaphylaxis and appropriate patient education.

Discuss the pathophysiology of allergy and anaphylaxis.

Describe the common methods of entry of substances into the body.

List common antigens most frequently associated with anaphylaxis.

Describe physical manifestations in anaphylaxis.

Differentiate manifestations of an allergic reaction from anaphylaxis.

Recognize the signs and symptoms related to anaphylaxis.

Differentiate among the various treatment and pharmacological interventions used in the management of anaphylaxis.

Review the specific anatomy and physiology pertinent to infectious and communicable diseases.

List and describe the steps of an infectious process.

List and describe infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, and helminths (worms).

Describe characteristics of the immune system, including the categories of white blood cells, the reticuloendothelial system (RES), and the complement system.

Describe and discuss the rationale for the various types of PPE.

Discuss the proper disposal of contaminated supplies (sharps, gauze sponges, tourniquets, etc.).

Discuss disinfection of patient care equipment, and areas in which care of the patient occurred.

Explain public health principles related to infectious disease.

Describe the roles of local, state, and federal agencies involved in infectious disease surveillance and outbreaks.

Describe the interactions of the agent, host, and environment as determining factors in disease transmission.

Explain the principles and practices of infection control in prehospital care.

Describes the EMS professional’s responsibilities as well as their rights under the Ryan White Act.

Discuss the causative agent, body systems affected and potential secondary complications, routes of transmission, susceptibility and resistance, signs and symptoms and demonstrate the patient management and protective/control measures, and immunization for the following infectious diseases: HIV, Hepatitis, TB, Meningitis, Pneumonia, Tetanus, Varicella, Mumps Rubella, Measles, Influenza, Mononucleosis, Gastroenteritis.

Discuss the characteristics of, and organisms associated with, febrile and afebrile respiratory disease, to include bronchiolitis, bronchitis, laryngitis, croup, epiglottitis, and the common cold.

Describe the pathophysiology of infectious diseases of immediate concern to EMS providers.

Describe the EMS provider’s role in patient education and preventing disease transmission.

Explain the pathophysiology, risk factors, assessment, and prehospital management of sepsis/systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

Identify the risk factors related to disorders of the endocrine system.

Review the anatomy and physiology of organs and structures related to endocrinologic diseases.

Discuss the pathophysiology and the assessment, and management of patients with the following endocrinologic emergencies: hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, Cushing’s syndrome, Adrenal insufficiency, Pituitary disorders, Thyroid disorders.

Describe the mechanism of ketone body formation and its relationship to ketoacidosis.

Describe the compensatory mechanisms utilized by the body to promote homeostasis relative to hypoglycemia.

Define behavior and distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior.

Discuss the prevalence of behavior and psychiatric disorders.

Discuss the factors that may alter the behavior or emotional status of an ill or injured individual.

Describe the medical legal considerations for management of emotionally disturbed patients.

Discuss the pathophysiology of behavioral and psychiatric disorders.

Define the following terms: affect, anger, anxiety, confusion, depression, fear, mental status, open-ended questions, posture.

Describe the verbal techniques useful in managing the emotionally disturbed patient.

Describe the circumstances when relatives, bystanders and others should be removed from the scene.

Describe the techniques that facilitate the systematic gathering of information from the disturbed patient.

Identify techniques for physical assessment in a patient with behavioral problems.

Describe methods of restraint that may be necessary in managing the emotionally disturbed patient.

List the risk factors (including behaviors) for suicide.

Differentiate between the various behavioral and psychiatric disorders based on the assessment and history.

Describe the epidemiology, incidence, morbidity and mortality of toxic emergencies.

Identify the risk factors of toxic emergencies.

Discuss the role of the Poison Control Center in the United States.

List the most common poisonings by ingestion.

Recognize the signs and symptoms related to the most common poisonings by ingestion.

Discuss the factors affecting the decision to induce vomiting in a patient with ingested poison.

Define poisoning by inhalation.

List the most common poisonings by inhalation.

Describe the pathophysiology of poisoning by inhalation.

Recognize the signs and symptoms related to the most common poisonings by inhalation.

Define poisoning by injection.

List the most common poisonings by injection.

Recognize the signs and symptoms related to the most common poisonings by injection.

Define poisoning by surface absorption.

List the most common poisonings by surface absorption.

Describe the pathophysiology of poisoning by surface absorption.

Recognize the signs and symptoms related to the most common poisonings by surface absorption.

Define poisoning by overdose.

List the most common poisonings by overdose.

Describe the pathophysiology of poisoning by overdose.

Recognize the signs and symptoms related to the most common poisonings by overdose.

Define drug abuse.

Define the following terms: Substance or drug abuse, substance or drug dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, addiction.

List the most commonly abused drugs (both by chemical name and street names).

Recognize the signs and symptoms related to the most commonly abused drugs.

List the clinical uses, street names, pharmacology, assessment finding and management for patient who have taken the following drugs or been exposed to the following substances: cocaine, marijuana and cannabis compounds, amphetamines and amphetamine-like drugs, barbiturates, sedative-hypnotics, Cyanide, narcotics/opiates, cardiac medications, caustics, common household substances, drugs abused for sexual purposes/sexual gratification, carbon monoxide, alcohols, hydrocarbons, psychiatric medications, newer anti-depressants and serotonin syndromes, Lithium, MAO inhibitors, non-prescription pain medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, salicylates, acetaminophen, Theophylline, metals, plants and mushrooms

Discuss the specific differences and considerations in the pathophysiology, assessment findings and treatment associated with a patient suffering from the following toxins and toxidromes: carbon monoxide, Cyanide, cardiac medications, organophosphates, caustic substances, hydrocarbons, hydrofluoric acid, prescription medications (pain relievers, psychiatric medications), alcohol, alcoholism and withdrawal, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, newer antidepressants and serotonin syndrome, Lithium, salicylates, acetaminophens, NSAIDs, Theophylline, metals, contaminated food, poisonous plants and mushrooms, animal bites, insect stings, commonly abused drugs

Discuss common causative agents, pharmacology, assessment findings and management for a patient with food poisoning.

Discuss common offending organisms, pharmacology, assessment findings and management for a patient with a bite or sting.

Describe the epidemiology of toxicologic disorders and substance abuse.

Explain the proper procedures for transporting a patient exposed to a toxic chemical to a receiving facility.

Describe the epidemiology, incidence, morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease.

 Identify the risk factors of coronary artery disease.

Review the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system.

Describe the blood flow pathway through the vascular system including the arteries, veins and associated structures.

Explain how the heart functions as a pump; including the concepts of cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, and ejection fraction.

Discuss the physiology of the cardiac cycle and the fluid dynamics associated with the cardiovascular system including Starling's Law, systole and diastole.

Identify the four properties that aid in the function of the heart including excitability, conductivity, automaticity, and contractility.

Define depolarization, repolarization, pulse deficit, pulsus paradoxus, pulsus alternans, hypertensive emergency, cardiac tamponade, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest.

List the ions involved in myocardial action potential and their primary and their primary function in this process.

Describe the events involved in the steps from excitation to contraction of the cardiac muscle fibers.

Identify the structure and course of all divisions and subdivisions of the cardiac conduction system.

Identify and describe how the heart's pacemaking control, rate, and rhythm are determined.

Compare and contrast the coronary artery distribution to the major portions of the cardiac conduction systems.

Identify the structures of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Identify the effect of the ANS on heart rate, rhythm and contractility.

Define and give examples of positive and negative inotropes, chronotropes and dromotropes.

Identify and describe the components of the focused history as it relates to the patient with cardiovascular compromise.

Identify the normal characteristics of the point of maximal impulse (PMI).

Identify and define the normal and abnormal heart sounds.

Relate heart sounds to hemodynamic events in the cardiac cycle.

Explain the purpose of ECG monitoring and how ECG wave forms are produced.

Identify the components of the ECG rhythm strip and list any limitations.

Identify how heart rates, durations, and amplitudes may be determined from ECG tracings.

Describe the placement of leads and electrodes in 3 lead and 12 lead ECG monitoring.

Differentiate among the primary mechanisms responsible for producing cardiac dysrhythmias.

Describe a systematic approach to the analysis and interpretation of cardiac dysrhythmias.

Describe the process and the pitfalls of differentiation of wide QRS complex tachycardias.

Describe the conditions of pulseless electrical activity.

Describe the phenomena of reentry, aberration and accessory pathways.

Identify the ECG changes characteristically produced by electrolyte imbalances and specify the clinical implications.

Identify patient situations where ECG rhythm analysis is indicated.

Recognize the changes and any limitations on the ECG that may reflect evidence of myocardial ischemia and injury.

Compare manual defibrillation from cardioversion and synchronized cardioversion.

Describe the components of a transcutaneous pacer, its application and setting adjustments as well as the clinical indications and techniques for use.

Based on field impressions, identify the need for rapid intervention for the patient in cardiovascular compromise.

Discuss the pathophysiology and the assessment, and management of patients following conditions including the development of a treatment plan.

Identify the drugs of choice, the rationale for use, clinical precautions and disadvantages and/or complications.

Describe the most commonly used pharmacological agents in the management of congestive heart failure in terms of therapeutic effect, dosages, routes of administration, side effects and toxic effects.

List other clinical conditions that may mimic signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease and angina pectoris.

Compare fibrinolysis from percutaneous intervention as reperfusion techniques used in patients with AMI or suspected AMI and describe the "window of opportunity" as it pertains to reperfusion of a Myocardial infarction.

List the characteristics of a patient eligible for thrombolytic therapy.

Define the term "acute pulmonary edema" and describe its relationship to left ventricular failure.

Define preload, afterload and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and relate each to the pathophysiology of heart failure. Differentiate between early and late signs and symptoms of left ventricular failure and those of right ventricular failure.

Explain the clinical significance of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.

Explain clinical significance of edema of the extremities and sacrum.

Describe how to determine if pulses paradoxus, pulses alternans, or electrical alternans is present.

Identify non-cardiac causes of cardiac arrest.

Identify the clinical significance of claudication and presence of arterial bruits in a patient with peripheral vascular disorders.

Describe the clinical significance of unequal arterial blood pressure readings in the arms.

Discuss the components of post resuscitation care including how to determine the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

Explain how to confirm asystole using 3 lead ECG.

Identify circumstances and situations where resuscitation efforts would not be initiated.

Identify and list inclusion and exclusion criteria for termination of resuscitative efforts.

Identify communication and documentation protocols with medical direction and law enforcement used for termination of resuscitation efforts.

Apply knowledge of the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease to develop prevention strategies.

Defend the urgency in rapid determination of and rapid intervention of patients in cardiac arrest.

Defend the possibility of termination of resuscitative efforts in the out-of-hospital setting.

List the possible complications of pacing.

Describe the epidemiology, including: premorbid and comorbid conditions and prevention strategies, for shock and hemorrhage.

Review the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Discuss the physiology of blood flow during normal states, peri-arrest, cardiac arrest and shock.

Discuss the assessment and management of shock.

Review the management of external hemorrhage.

Differentiate between the administration rate and amount of IV fluid in a patient with controlled versus uncontrolled hemorrhage.

Relate internal hemorrhage to the assessment findings of compensated and decompensated hemorrhagic shock.

Review the following for the cardiac arrest victim: epidemiology, pathophysiology, physiology of blood flow during external chest compressions, resuscitation success/research.

Review defibrillation and cardioversion to include manual techniques, automatic and semi-automated devices.

Discuss causes, pathophysiology and management of special arrest and peri-arrest conditions

Review post resuscitative care include, temperature regulation, glucose/electrolyte management.

Discuss the assessment and management of internal hemorrhage.

Discuss the stages and classifications of hemorrhage.

Discuss the pathophysiology and demonstrate the assessment and management of the different types of shock.

Describe the effects of decreased perfusion at the capillary level.

Relate pulse pressure changes to perfusion status.

Relate orthostatic vital sign changes to perfusion status.

Define and differentiate between compensated and decompensated shock for all types of shock.

Discuss the complications of shock.

Discuss and differentiate the physiological manifestations of shock across the age continuum.

Differentiate between the normotensive, hypotensive, or profoundly hypotensive patient.

Differentiate between the administration of fluid in the normotensive, hypotensive, or profoundly hypotensive patient.

Discuss the destination decision for patients in varying types of shock.

Identify the role of heredity in the risk for hematologic disorders.

Review the anatomy of the hematopoietic system.

Describe volume and volume-control related to the hematopoietic system.

Describe normal red blood cell (RBC) production, function and destruction.

Explain the significance of the hematocrit with respect to red cell size and number.

Explain the correlation of the RBC count, hematocrit and hemoglobin values.

Define anemia.

Recognize medications used to decrease the risk of thrombosis.

Describe normal white blood cell (WBC) production, function and destruction.

Identify alterations in immunologic response.

List the leukocyte disorders.

Describe platelets with respect to normal function, life span and numbers.

Describe the components of the hemostatic mechanism.

Describe the function of coagulation factors, platelets and blood vessels necessary for normal coagulation.

Identify blood groups.

Identify the components of physical assessment as they relate to the hematologic system.

Describe the epidemiology, incidence, morbidity, mortality, and risk factors of urological emergencies.

Review the anatomy and physiology of the organs and structures related to urogenital diseases.

Define referred pain and visceral pain as it relates to urology.

Describe the technique for performing a comprehensive physical examination of a patient complaining of abdominal pain.

Apply the epidemiology to develop prevention strategies for urological emergencies.

Integrate pathophysiological principles to the assessment of a patient with abdominal pain.

Synthesize assessment findings and patient history information to accurately differentiate between pain of a urogenital emergency and that of other origins.

Discuss the epidemiology of non-traumatic musculoskeletal disorders.

Discuss various non-traumatic musculoskeletal disorders such as: osteomyelitis and tumors disc disorders, lower back pain, joint abnormalities, muscle abnormalities, overuse syndrome, tissue infections.

Relate the anatomy and physiology of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat to the pathophysiology and assessment of patients with diseases of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

Discuss the pathophysiology and demonstrate the assessment, and management of patients with various eye diseases/injuries.

Discuss the pathophysiology and the assessment, and management of patients with various ear diseases/injuries including: foreign body, impacted cerumen, labyrinthitis, Meniere’s disease, otitis external and media, perforated tympanic membrane.

Discuss the pathophysiology and the assessment, and management of patients with various nose diseases/injuries including: epistaxis, foreign body intrusion, rhinitis, sinusitis.

Discuss the pathophysiology and the assessment, and management of patients with oropharynx/throat diseases/injuries.

Discuss common emotional and psychological reactions to aging to include causes and manifestations.

Discuss the problems with mobility in the elderly and develop strategies to prevent falls.

Discuss factors that may complicate the assessment of the elderly patient.

Describe principles that should be employed when assessing and communicating with the elderly.

Discuss common complaints of elderly patients.

Discuss the impact of polypharmacy and medication non-compliance on patient assessment and management.

Discuss medication issues of the elderly including polypharmacy, dosing errors and increased drug sensitivity and toxicology.

Discuss the assessment and management of the elderly patient with pulmonary complaints, including: pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pulmonary embolism.

Identify the need for intervention and transport of the elderly patient with pulmonary complaints.

Discuss the assessment and management of the elderly patient with complaints related to the cardiovascular system, including: myocardial infarction, heart failure, dysrhythmias, aneurism, hypertension.

Discuss the assessment and management of the elderly patient with complaints related to the nervous system, including: cerebral vascular disease, delirium, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease.

Describe the epidemiology for endocrine diseases in the elderly, including incidence, morbidity/mortality, risk factors, and prevention strategies for patients with diabetes and thyroid diseases.

Discuss the assessment and management of the elderly patient with complaints related to the endocrine system, including diabetes and thyroid diseases.

Discuss the assessment and management of the elderly patient with the following: gastrointestinal problems, toxicological problems, orthopedic injuries, burns and head injuries, drug and alcohol abuse, environmental considerations, depression or suicide risk factors.

Discuss the epidemiology of herpes zoster and inflammatory arthritis in the elderly.

Discuss the incidence of abuse and assault.

Describe the categories of abuse.

Describe the characteristics associated with the profile of the typical assailant of sexual assault.

Identify the profile of the "at-risk" domestic partner, "at-risk" elder and "at-risk" child.

Discuss the legal aspects associated with abuse situations including mandatory reporting.

Recognize the patient with a hearing impairment.

Anticipate accommodations that may be needed in order to properly manage the patient with a hearing impairment.

Recognize the patient with a visual impairment.

Anticipate accommodations that may be needed in order to properly manage the patient with a visual impairment.

Describe the various etiologies and types of speech impairments.

Recognize the patient with a speech impairment.

Describe paraplegia/quadriplegia.

Describe the various etiologies of mental illness.

Describe the various etiologies of emotional impairment.

Recognize the patient with an emotional impairment.

Identify a patient that is terminally ill.

Recognize sign(s) of financial impairments.

Describe the importance of home health care medicine as related to the ALS level of care.

Differentiate between the role of EMS provider and the role of the home care provider.

Discuss the aspects of home care that result in enhanced quality of care for a given patient.

Discuss the aspects of home care that have a potential to become a detriment to the quality of care for a given patient.

List complications commonly seen in the home care patients, which result in their hospitalization.

Review hospice care, comfort care and DNR/DNAR as they relate to local practice, law and policy.

List the stages of the grief process and relate them to an individual in hospice care.

Given a series of home care scenarios, determine which patients should receive follow-up home care and which should be transported to an emergency care facility.

Review the anatomic structures and physiology of the female reproductive system.

Identify the normal events of the menstrual and ovarian cycle including: proliferative phase, secretory phase, menstrual phase, and menopause.

Explain how to recognize a gynecological emergency.

Discuss the pathophysiology and the assessment, and management of patients with specific gynecological emergencies.

Describe the importance of maintaining a patient’s modesty and privacy while still being able to obtain necessary information.

Defend the need to provide care for a patient of sexual assault, while still preventing destruction of crime scene information.

Review the anatomic structures and physiology of the reproductive system.

Identify and describe the normal events of pregnancy.

Describe how to assess an obstetrical patient.

Identify and describe the stages of labor and the paramedic's role in each stage.

Differentiate between normal and abnormal delivery.

Identify and describe complications associated with pregnancy and delivery.

State indications of an imminent delivery.

Differentiate the management of a patient with predelivery emergencies from a normal delivery.

State the steps to assist in the delivery of a neonate including preparation of the mother.

Describe how to care for the neonate.

Describe how and when to cut the umbilical cord.

Discuss the steps in the delivery of the placenta.

Describe management of the mother post-delivery.

Describe the procedures for handling abnormal deliveries.

Describe the procedures for handling complications of pregnancy including excessive vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain and hypertensive crisis.

Describe the procedures for handling maternal complications of labor.

Describe special considerations when meconium is present in amniotic fluid or during delivery.

Describe special considerations of a premature baby.

Define the term neonate.

Identify antepartum factors that can affect childbirth.

Identify intrapartum factors that can term the neonate “high risk”.

  Identify the factors that lead to premature birth and low birth weight neonates.

Discuss pulmonary perfusion and asphyxia.

Calculate the APGAR score given various neonate situations.

Determine when ventilatory assistance is appropriate for a neonate.

  Determine when chest compressions are appropriate for a neonate.

Discuss appropriate chest compression techniques for a neonate.

Determine when endotracheal intubation is appropriate for a neonate.

Discuss appropriate endotracheal intubation techniques for a neonate.

  Identify complications related to endotracheal intubation for a neonate.

Determine when vascular access is indicated for a neonate.

Discuss the routes of medication administration for a neonate.

Determine when blow-by oxygen delivery is appropriate for a neonate.

Determine when an orogastric tube should be inserted during positive-pressure ventilation.

Discuss the signs of hypovolemia in a neonate.

Discuss the initial steps in resuscitation of a neonate.

Discuss the effects maternal narcotic usage has on the neonate.

Discuss appropriate transport guidelines for a neonate.

Determine appropriate receiving facilities for low and high risk neonates.

Describe the epidemiology, including the incidence, morbidity/ mortality, risk factors and prevention strategies for meconium aspiration.

Discuss the assessment and management of meconium aspiration.

Discuss the pathophysiology of apnea in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management for apnea in the neonate.

Describe the epidemiology, including the incidence, morbidity/ mortality and risk factors for bradycardia in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management for bradycardia in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of premature infants.

Discuss the assessment and management for premature infants.

Discuss the pathophysiology of respiratory distress/ cyanosis in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management for respiratory distress/ cyanosis in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of seizures in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management for seizures in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of fever in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management for fever in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of hypothermia in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management for hypothermia in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of hypoglycemia in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management plan for hypoglycemia in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of vomiting in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management for vomiting in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of common birth injuries in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management for common birth injuries in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of cardiac arrest in the neonate.

Discuss the assessment and management/treatment plan for cardiac arrest in the neonate.

Discuss the pathophysiology of post arrest management of the neonate.

Discuss the management to stabilize the post arrest neonate.

Review key growth and developmental characteristics of infants and children and their implications.

Identify key anatomical and physiological characteristics of infants and children and their implications.

Describe techniques for successful assessment and treatment of infants and children.

Outline differences in adult and childhood anatomy and physiology.

Identify "normal" age group related vital signs.

Determine appropriate airway adjuncts for infants and children.

Discuss complications of improper utilization of airway adjuncts with infants and children.

Discuss appropriate ventilation devices for infants and children.

  Discuss complications of improper utilization of ventilation devices with infants and children.

  Identify complications of improper endotracheal intubation procedure in infants and children.

List the indications and methods for gastric decompression for infants and children.

Differentiate between upper airway obstruction and lower airway disease.

Describe the general approach to the treatment of children with respiratory distress, failure, or arrest from upper airway obstruction or lower airway disease.

Discuss the common causes of hypoperfusion in infants and children.

Identify the major causes of abnormal cardiac rhythms in infants and pediatric.

Discuss the primary etiologies of cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children.

Discuss the appropriate equipment for vascular access in infants and children.

Identify complications of vascular access for infants and children.

Describe the primary etiologies of altered level of consciousness in infants and children.

Identify common lethal mechanisms of injury in infants and children.

  Identify infant and child trauma patients who require spinal immobilization.

  Discuss fluid management and shock treatment for infant and child trauma patient.

Determine when pain management and sedation are appropriate for infants and children.

Define child abuse and child neglect.

Review mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse/neglect.

Define children with special health care needs.

Review basic cardiac life support (CPR) guidelines for infants and children.

Integrate advanced life support skills with basic cardiac life support for infants and children.

Discuss the indications, dosage, route of administration and special considerations for medication administration in infants and children.

Discuss the pathophysiology of respiratory distress/failure in infants and children.

Discuss the assessment and management for respiratory distress/failure in infants and children.

Discuss the pathophysiology of hypoperfusion in infants and children.

Discuss the assessment and management for hypoperfusion in infants and children.

Discuss the pathophysiology of cardiac dysrhythmias in infants and children.

Discuss the assessment and management for cardiac dysrhythmias in infants and children.

Discuss the pathophysiology of neurological emergencies in infants and children.

Discuss the assessment and management for neurological emergencies in infants and children.

Discuss the pathophysiology of trauma in infants and children.

Discuss the assessment and management for trauma in infants and children.

  Discuss the pathophysiology of abuse and neglect in infants and children.

Discuss the assessment and management for abuse and neglect in infants and children, including documentation and reporting.

Discuss the pathophysiology of children with special health care needs including technology assisted children.

Discuss the assessment and management for children with special health care needs including technology assisted children.

Describe Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS), current theories, assessment and management, and the immediate needs of the family.

Discuss the parent/caregiver responses to the death of an infant or child.

  Discuss the pathophysiology of SUIDS in infants.

Discuss the assessment findings associated with SUIDS infants.

Discuss the management/treatment plan for SUIDS in infants.

Discuss the use of a length-based resuscitation device for determining equipment sizes, drug doses and other pertinent information for a pediatric patient.