Clinical Cases in Paramedicine

Sam Willis, Ian Peate, Rod Hill, Sam Willis, Ian Peate, Rod Hill

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781119621034
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Emergency Medicine & Critical Care

Clinical Cases in Paramedicine provides students, educators, and early career paramedics with a diverse range of detailed case studies that realistically represent the conditions, scenarios, and challenges encountered in practice. Integrating evidence-based cases and expert insights from leading academics and practitioners, this engaging resource helps readers develop appropriate decision-making skills and apply theoretical concepts to practical situations. Organised by medical presentations and body systems, the text provides readers with a systematic framework that mirrors how paramedics assess cases in the real world.

Throughout the text, cases of varying levels of complexity are designed to meet the needs of Case-Based Learning (CBL) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curricula used in paramedic training programmes worldwide. Each chapter contains six case studies—introductory, intermediate, and advanced—and features interactive learning activities, discussion questions, practical tips, and authoritative guidance aligned to national and international best-practice standards. Case studies illustrate scenarios related to trauma, medical emergencies, obstetrics, respiratory and cardiac events, minor injuries, drug overdoses, and many others. This comprehensive resource:

• Features case studies of varying lengths and degrees of complexity to suit different readers, from student to professional
• Suitable for use in many international programmes
• Offers chapter introductions and summaries, practice questions, and additional online resources
• Contains clinical, legal, ethical, cultural, remote and rural case studies
• Includes a cumulative and comprehensive "Test Your Knowledge" concluding chapter

Those studying or working in paramedicine must keep pace with changes in the field using the latest evidence and expert opinion. Clinical Cases in Paramedicine is an essential volume for paramedic students and early-career professionals, as well as educators, lecturers, and trainers.

Chapter 1
Respiratory emergencies

Jennifer Stirling, Clare Sutton and Georgina Pickering

Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia

---

CHAPTER CONTENTS

• Level 1: Asthma
• Level 1: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Level 2: Pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Level 2: Life‐threatening asthma
• Level 3: Respiratory sepsis
• Level 3: Smoke inhalation

---

LEVEL 1 CASE STUDY

---

Asthma

Information type	Data
Time of origin	17:08
Time of dispatch	17:10
On‐scene time	17:20
Day of the week	Friday
Nearest hospital	30 minutes
Nearest backup	15 minutes
Patient details	Name: Betsy Booper DOB:10/09/2002

---

CASE

You have been called to an outdoor running track for an 18‐year‐old female with shortness of breath. The caller states she has taken her inhaler to no effect.

Pre‐arrival information

The patient is conscious and breathing. You can access the area via the back gate of the sports field and drive right up to the patient, who is sat down on the track.

Windscreen report

The location appears safe. Approx. 10 people around the patient. Environment – warm summer evening and good light.

Entering the location

The sports coach greets you as you get out of the ambulance and informs you that the patient suffers with exercise‐induced asthma, but this is worse than normal and her inhaler has been ineffective.

On arrival with the patient

The patient is sat on a bench on the side of the track. She is leaning forward, resting her elbows on her thighs (tripodding). She says hello as you introduce yourself to her.

Patient assessment triangle

General appearance

Alert. Speaking in short sentences. She looks panicked.

Circulation to the skin

Flushed cheeks.

Work of breathing

Breathing appears rapid and shallow. An audible wheeze is noted.

SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

Danger

None at this time.

Response

Alert on the AVPU scale.

Airway

Clear.

Breathing

RR: 28. Regular and shallow. No accessory muscle use. Expiratory wheeze on auscultation.

Circulati...