Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi - (Page 36)

Triage and Treatment Upon arriving at a hospital’s emergency department waiting room—unless you arrive by ambulance and require immediate treatment—you will register and wait to be seen by a triage nurse. When you’re called in, the nurse will ask you about your condition and symptoms; check your vital signs like temperature, heart rate and blood pressure; take a brief medical history; and may do a diagnostic test or administer ﬁrst aid. This assessment helps the nurse determine how urgently you need to be seen by a physician compared with other waiting patients. Be accurate and honest in describing your condition and symptoms—neither downplay nor exaggerate them. Getting the most appropriate treatment depends on it. 36 FA L L 2 013 Now it’s back to the waiting room. Try to relax; distract yourself with a magazine or a game on your smartphone. Tell the registration attendant if your condition changes, especially if pain increases, while you’re waiting. Emergency staff members try to get you in as fast as they can, but if they’re dealing with a more pressing case, you may have to wait awhile, Stanton says. Once you are called in to see the ER physician, you will be examined, diagnosed and treated. Emergency physicians are trained to address all medical conditions, and most emergency departments are equipped to administer blood tests, X-rays, electrocardiograms, CT scans and ultrasounds regardless of the hour.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi
Opening Thoughts
Recognized for Excellence
Step It Up
Your Mightiest Muscle
Well, Well, Well
Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?
Is Your Shut-Eye Serving You Well?
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge
Anatomy of an ER Visit
Next-Gen Surgery
Attack From Within
Virtual Health
Working for You
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi