The House of Hygiene · Course P2

Medical Emergencies
Quick Reference

For the dental team: PABCD, the kit, and the right first move for each emergency.

HOH-P2

Self-Study

Universal Framework

P-A-B-C-D

P	Position (supine+legs up for faint; upright for cardiac/breathing)
A	Airway
B	Breathing / oxygen
C	Circulation / CPR if pulseless
D	Definitive care: drugs, AED, EMS

BLS (P-A-B-C) before drugs — except anaphylaxis (epinephrine immediately).

The Emergency Kit

Maintain team BLS/CPR certification. Run drills.

Recognize → First Move

Emergency	Recognize	First Move
Syncope	Pale, lightheaded, brief LOC	Supine + legs up; O₂
Hypoglycemia (conscious)	Shaky, sweaty, confused, can swallow	~15 g fast carb; recheck 15 min (15-15)
Hypoglycemia (altered)	Cannot protect airway	Nothing PO; glucagon IM; EMS
Suspected MI	Chest pressure → arm/jaw, pallor, >15 min	Upright, O₂, EMS, 162–325 mg aspirin chewed
Anaphylaxis	Hives + airway/CV (multi-system)	Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM (1:1000), thigh; O₂; EMS
Asthma/bronchospasm	Wheeze, prolonged expiration, alert	Albuterol; upright; O₂
Hyperventilation	Fast breathing, perioral/finger tingling	Reassure, slow breathing; NO O₂
Seizure	Generalized tonic-clonic	Protect head, don't restrain, nothing in mouth, time it; EMS if >5 min

Anaphylaxis — Don't Delay

Most common fatal error: giving Benadryl and "waiting." Epinephrine goes in now.

Cardiac — Before Nitroglycerin

"Prevent first: history, vitals, ASA status, prepared team. Then recognize, and match the tool to the emergency."