Getting medical help right away for someone who is having a medical emergency can save their life. This article describes the warning signs of a medical emergency and how to be prepared.
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the following are warning signs of a medical emergency.
In adults:
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath)
- Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing)
- Chest painor discomfort lasting for two minutes or more
- Choking
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
- Weak or ineffective coughing
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Feeling of committing suicide or murder
- Head or spine injury
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Sudden injury due to a motor vehicle accident, burns or smoke inhalation, near drowning, a deep or large wound, or other injuries
- Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body
- Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision
- Swallowing a poisonous substance
- Severe abdominal pain or pressure
- Unusual headache
- Inability to speak
- Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue
- Bluish skin color (cyanosis)
In children:
- Significant change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, irritability)
- Lack of alertness or diminished response
- Increased sleepiness
- Unable to stand or walk
- Trouble or abnormal breathing
- Difficulty in eating or feeding
- Bluish or grey coloration of the skin (cyanosis)
- Seizure
- Fever followed by a change in mental status, stiffness in the neck or back
- Unstoppable bleeding
BE PREPARED:
- Determine the location and quickest route to the nearest emergency department before an emergency happens.
- Keep emergency phone numbers posted in your home where you can easily access them. Also enter the numbers into your cell phone. Everyone in your household, including children, should know when and how to call these numbers. These numbers include: fire department, police department, poison control center, ambulance center, your health care provider's phone numbers, contact numbers of neighbors or nearby friends or relatives, and work phone numbers.
- Know at which hospital(s) your provider practices and, if practical, go there in an emergency.
- Wear a medical identification tag if you have a chronic condition or look for one on a person who has any of the symptoms mentioned.
- Get a personal emergency response system if you're an older adult, especially if you live alone.
If you or someone you know is thinking about hurting yourself or others, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.
You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.
If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.
Always take suicide attempts and threats seriously.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP:
- Stay calm and call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or rescue breathing, if necessary and if you know the proper technique.
- Place a semiconscious or unconscious person in the recovery position until the ambulance arrives. DO NOT move the person, however, if there has been or may have been a neck injury.
Upon arriving at an emergency room, the person will be evaluated right away. Life- or limb-threatening conditions will be treated first. People with conditions that are not life- or limb-threatening may have to wait.
CALL 911 OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER IF:
- The person's condition is life threatening (for example, the person is having a heart attack or severe allergic reaction)
- The person's condition could become life threatening on the way to the hospital
- Moving the person could cause further injury (for example, in case of a neck injury or motor vehicle accident)
- The person needs the skills or equipment of paramedics
- Traffic conditions or distance might cause a delay in getting the person to the hospital
Medical emergencies - how to recognize them
Stopping bleeding with direct pressure- Stopping bleeding with a tourniquet
- Stopping bleeding with pressure and ice
- Neck pulse
Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Related MedlinePlus Health Topics
- Emergency Medical Services
FAQs
Bleeding that will not stop. Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath) Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing) Chest pain or discomfort lasting for two minutes or more.
How to recognize medical emergencies? ›
Recognizing a Medical Emergency
- Bleeding that will not stop.
- Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath)
- Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing)
- Chest pain.
- Choking.
- Coughing up or vomiting blood.
- Fainting or loss of consciousness.
Recognize the Warning Signs
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, these are the warning signs of a medical emergency: Bleeding that will not stop. Breathing problems – difficulty breathing, shortness of breath. Change in mental status – confusion, unusual behavior, difficulty waking.
What is the algorithm for medical emergencies? ›
The basic algorithm for management of all medical emergencies is this: position (P), airway (A), breathing (B), circulation (C) and definitive treatment, differential diagnosis, drugs, defibrillation (D). The dentist places an unconscious patient in a supine position and comfortably positions a conscious patient.
What qualifies as a medical emergency? ›
Emergency scenarios may include difficulty breathing, choking, chest pain, heart attacks, unconsciousness, allergic reactions, low or high blood sugar levels, uncontrollable or profuse bleeding, heat exhaustion or stroke, seizures, fall from a significant height, significant trauma, and many other scenarios.
What are the 3 C's of a medical emergency? ›
Training your brain before you find yourself in a high-pressure situation may help you save a life or potentially help someone in pain. There are three basic C's to remember—check, call, and care. When it comes to first aid, there are three P's to remember—preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery.
What are the four basic rules for medical emergencies? ›
Call for help immediately—minutes and seconds count. Bring help to the victim—don't move the victim unless he or she is in danger. Check for breathing and a pulse. Do no further harm—make sure you don't cause additional injuries to the victim.
What are three ways you can recognize emergencies? ›
Recognizing medical emergencies
- Bleeding that will not stop.
- Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath)
- Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing)
- Chest pain or discomfort lasting for two minutes or more.
- Choking.
- Coughing up or vomiting blood.
The four conditions considered immediately life threatening in an emergency situation are:
- Unconsciousness.
- No breathing or difficulty breathing.
- No pulse.
- Severe bleeding.
In an emergency situation, the American Red Cross recommends that you first check the scene, then call 911, then deliver care to the victim. In emergency situations, seconds can save lives. The following 15 symptoms are signs of medical emergen- cies—call 911 immediately.
The underlying principles are: Use the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) approach to assess and treat the patient. Do a complete initial assessment and re-assess regularly. Treat life-threatening problems before moving to the next part of assessment.
What is the medical diagnosis algorithm approach? ›
For instance, a medical diagnosis algorithm simplifies complex decision-making by providing a structured pathway for evaluating symptoms, signs, and test results, leading to a differential diagnosis or a definitive diagnosis.
What are the 4 steps taken in all emergencies? ›
Current thinking defines four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. There are entire courses on each of these phases. The following diagram illustrates the four phases of emergency management. The following table briefly describes each of these phases.
How do you recognize a medical emergency? ›
Warning Signs that Indicate a Medical Emergency
Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness. Changes in vision. Confusion or changes in mental status. Any sudden or severe pain.
Which is not a medical emergency? ›
Situations that warrant care for illness or injury, but not emergency care: Minor burns. Earache or ear infection. Pink eye.
What are the three types of medical emergencies? ›
7 Most Common Medical Emergencies
- Bleeding. Cuts and wounds cause bleeding, but severe injury can also cause internal bleeding that you can't see. ...
- Breathing difficulties. ...
- Someone collapses. ...
- Fit and/or epileptic seizure. ...
- Severe pain. ...
- Heart attack. ...
- A stroke.
Scene Safety and Assessment
- Take a breath. Think. ...
- Assess the situation from a distance. Remember that your safety is paramount. ...
- Think about what you have and what you need. ...
- Here's where you put bystanders to work. ...
- Does your scene have multiple victims or victims with multiple injuries? ...
- Assess the victim's health.
This can be done by reviewing hazard assessment documents and incident investigations, and considering the potential for hazards around the operation. Assess the potential for harm to people, property, equipment and the environment for each potential emergency situation. Make sure plans fit the worst case scenario.
