Revised 08/2018

EMS 127 - Airway, Shock and Resuscitation (1 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces concepts associated with pre-hospital emergency care of the individual experiencing airway difficulty or in need of resuscitation or shock management. Lecture 1 hour. Total 1 hour per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to introduce the novice student to the principles airway assessment and management, including resuscitation techniques and care of a patient in shock.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite: Current Virginia EMT and CPR certification as approved by the Virginia Office of EMS. Corequisite: EMS 128.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss the principles of airway assessment
• Compare and contrast types of airway management techniques
• Explain the physiology of respiration, ventilation, and oxygenation
• Recall the concepts of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Differentiate types of shock
• Discuss care options related to shock resuscitation

Major Topics to Be Included

• Airway Assessment
  • Review of airway anatomy
  • Techniques used to assess airway patency
  • Principles of anticipating difficult airways
• Airway Management
  • Review of airway management devices
  • Techniques used to manage airway patency
  • Endotracheal intubation
  • Nasotracheal intubation
• Physiology of Respiration, Ventilation and Oxygenation
  • Principles related to the mechanics of respiration, ventilation and oxygenation
  • Cellular respiration
  • Use of supplemental oxygen
  • Differences Between Normal and Positive Pressure Ventilation
• Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation
  • Review of the CPR Guidelines for the adult, child, infant and neonatal patient
  • Principles of resuscitation
  • Concepts of post resuscitation care
• Shock
  • Concepts of tissue hypoperfusion
  • Categories of shock
  • Specific types of shock
  • Concepts in treating patients in shock
  • Consideration in the geriatric and pediatric populations