traumamedic

I originally posted this question under dialysis but haven't gotten a response so I'll post it here. How would one differentiate between a bladder infection vs a renal infection with just a urine sample? Not that it really matters, I assume the treatment is the same?

Maybe this will help too: http://www.kumc.edu/instruction/alliedHealth/NurseAnesthesia/Medical_Pharmacology/learning2.htm

Two words: Littmann stethoscope. I like my Littmann Classic II S.E. Try it out first though and see if it helps. They're a lot louder.

Not really sure, haven't tried them out yet, I figured I'd change over to them when I got some more blood on my stethoscope, but after hearing that I'm not so sure. Not really brave enough to disassemble my stethoscope for some deep down fear that it'll never quite work the same again. So you're hypertensive, yet hypotensive at the same time? How does that work?

Thanks, I emailed them asking about where I could find it in the US. BTW, I received some free SafeSeal samples in the mail the other day. Can't wait to try them out.

What is this alternating abdominal compression thing about? I vaguely remember reading about it somewhere but couldn't find anymore info when I looked it up. Could someone please explain? Thanks.

Excellent, you answered everything I was asking about. Thanks.

But wouldn't it still be a problem in dehydrated patients because wouldn't it be drawing fluid out of the cells?

I hear that if you email them telling them that you heard about the SafeSEAL from the online radio show, EMSlive they'll send you a free sample.

Also, does anyone else use them?

Anyone know where to buy disposable stethoscope diaphragm covers (and you don't have to replace the scope's diaphragm)? Also I want them to be fairly cheap and I don't need to buy 250 of them. Thanks in advance.

Okay, thanks. Next question. I was reading a couple of places that even suggest using 7% NaCl in trauma patients but only using 250-350 mL of the stuff. Why would I do that instead of using the 0.9% NaCl or LR? Doesn't that risk dehydrating the patient?

Then when would you use normal saline? For blood loss up to a certain limit?

Thanks for the reply!

When would you give blood to a trauma patient instead of NS or LR? What are the indications? For blood is it just when there's a low RBC count? I know you sometimes mix them, I think in a 1:3 ratio, correct? When would that be done? Thanks in advance.