Emergency Care - Decreased Level of Consciousness
Decreased level of consciousness or "DLOC" is one of the most common calls to EMS.
DLOC can be caused by many things and for different reasons.
What often is called "unresponsive" is actually DLOC.
Victims with a decreased level of consciousness are not entirely unresponsive, but often their level of consciousness is decreased to the point that it appears so to the untrained eye.
Often CPR has been started on victims with DLOC.
This is not the appropriate course of action.
If a person is breathing, that means that they have a working heart.
This is true even if their level of consciousness is decreased.
If the heart is working then CPR is contraindicated.
Often patients with a decreased level of consciousness are in serious trouble.
They may respond inappropriately to verbal commands or may only respond to physical stimuli.
Many times bystanders have no idea what is wrong, and at other times a bit of medical history can provide some valuable clues and shed some light on the situation.
Care for the victim with a decreased level of consciousness includes management of the airway and breathing.
Generally, the recovery position (on their side) is the best position for the person as long there is no indication of head, neck, or back injury.
However, if the victim is in a comfortable position on something like a sofa chair or in any position where there is no risk of them falling, then that would be acceptable.
As long as the victim is breathing they are alive, and CPR must not be performed on someone who is breathing.
Quite often the problem can be related to blood sugar levels, electrolyte imbalance or other type of blood chemistry disorder.
It may also be a stroke, medication over dose or serious infection.
Sometimes it can be difficult for EMS providers to determine what exactly is wrong, and in many cases the answer may only be proved after extensive hospital assessment.
In any case, decreased level of consciousness is a true medical emergency and should prompt bystanders to call 911 or the local emergency number in addition to providing appropriate basic life support care.
DLOC can be caused by many things and for different reasons.
What often is called "unresponsive" is actually DLOC.
Victims with a decreased level of consciousness are not entirely unresponsive, but often their level of consciousness is decreased to the point that it appears so to the untrained eye.
Often CPR has been started on victims with DLOC.
This is not the appropriate course of action.
If a person is breathing, that means that they have a working heart.
This is true even if their level of consciousness is decreased.
If the heart is working then CPR is contraindicated.
Often patients with a decreased level of consciousness are in serious trouble.
They may respond inappropriately to verbal commands or may only respond to physical stimuli.
Many times bystanders have no idea what is wrong, and at other times a bit of medical history can provide some valuable clues and shed some light on the situation.
Care for the victim with a decreased level of consciousness includes management of the airway and breathing.
Generally, the recovery position (on their side) is the best position for the person as long there is no indication of head, neck, or back injury.
However, if the victim is in a comfortable position on something like a sofa chair or in any position where there is no risk of them falling, then that would be acceptable.
As long as the victim is breathing they are alive, and CPR must not be performed on someone who is breathing.
Quite often the problem can be related to blood sugar levels, electrolyte imbalance or other type of blood chemistry disorder.
It may also be a stroke, medication over dose or serious infection.
Sometimes it can be difficult for EMS providers to determine what exactly is wrong, and in many cases the answer may only be proved after extensive hospital assessment.
In any case, decreased level of consciousness is a true medical emergency and should prompt bystanders to call 911 or the local emergency number in addition to providing appropriate basic life support care.
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