SEIZURES
Mild Symptoms Intense SymptomsStaring Loss of consciousnessUnresponsive Brief muscle jerks and spasmsConfused Loss of bladder or bowelTwitching of face Limp/collapse on floorLip smacking Rigid muscle tone and jerkingNumbness/tingling in body Change in breathing pattern
What to Do During a Seizure
Ensure safe surroundings Provide padding under person’s head Loosen clothing, jewelry around neck Stay with personRemove glasses Check for breathing throughout seizureTurn person on side
Do Not! Do not put anything in mouth (cannot swallow tongue!) Do not restrain or hold the person down (cannot stop a seizure!) Do not give anything to eat or drink until fully awake (person may choke/ aspirate!) Do not attempt artificial respiration unless not breathing
Call 911 if:
It is the person’s first seizure The person is not breathing The seizure lasts over 5 minutes Seizures continue one after another without the person regaining consciousness Head or other bodily injury occurred during seizure Seizure occurs in the waterFollow your agency policies.
DEHYDRATION
Causes of Dehydration
Diarrhea and vomitingSweating excessivelyFeverMedication side effects
Medical conditions – diabetes undiagnosed oruncontrolled, kidney disease, Crohn’s diseaseInability to communication thirstReliance on caregivers to provide fluidsAging changes that lead to dehydration
Signs of Dehydration
Dry mouth WeakHeadache ThirstyDizzy/lightheaded Decrease in urinationSleepy/difficult to arouse Dark concentrated urine
Constipation
Causes of Constipation
Lack of fiber Associated with medical conditions diabetesInadequate fluids Stroke, cerebral palsy, Down syndromeLack of exercise Not enough time to use the toiletSide effects of medications
Symptoms of Constipation
Small, hard stools Refusing to participate in activitiesCrying, grimacing, grunting, straining on toilet Lack of appetite Rectal digging Avoids using the bathroom due to painHitting abdomen Staying in the bathroom for long periodsHard, protruding abdomen Fever
CHOKING/ASPIRATION
Causes of Choking
Poor Eating Habits Medical Reasons for ChokingEating too fast Dry mouthPlacing large amounts of food in mouth Decayed /missing teethChoosing not to wear dentures Difficulty chewing/swallowingPoor posture AgingEating food different from consistency of one’s food Certain medications GERD
Signs of Choking
Severe coughing, gagging Anxious/agitatedHitting chest Red facePutting hands on throat Noisy breathingUnable to talk Skin color change – gray or blueUnable to breath Loss of consciousness
ONE SINGLE CHOKING EVENT MAY BE A WARNING SIGN FOR FUTURE CHOKING EVENTS.
Due to answers selected, this incident is now considered neglect and a report needs filed as such.
Program Manager/Supervisor or Program Director to contact if any of the following apply:
*Additional Notification Required if Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, or Abandonment:
Under 18
1) In addition to ensuring the health and safety and following agency protocol, a report MUSTBE made to Childline at #1-800-932-0313 or https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
Age 18-59
1) An oral report should be made by calling the statewide Protective Services Hotline #1-800490-8505
2) If suspected abuse or neglect involves sexual abuse, serious injury, serious bodily injury, or a suspicious death then one must also contact PA DHS/APS Division at (717) 265-7887 AND local law enforcement
3) Within 48 hours of making the oral report to the hotline, a written report must be faxed to #484-434-1590 or emailed to Liberty Healthcare at mandatoryron@libertyhealth.com. (The report should be a printout of the EIM print summary)
*Refer to the matrix for additional reporting requirements if law enforcement is involved or serious bodily injury has occurred*
Protective Services Hotline - 1-800-490-8505