Читать книгу Emergency Medical Services - Группа авторов - Страница 346

The patient presenting with altered mental status (AMS), or altered level of consciousness, is a common encounter for EMS. AMS is not a disease, but rather a possible symptom of many conditions, and the differential diagnosis can be extensive [1]. Many etiologies of AMS have the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality. It is essential that proper care be initiated in the field, along with early consideration of a broad differential diagnosis. Often, treatment must begin before the etiology of AMS is confirmed. In most instances, this treatment should be instituted in conjunction with attempts to determine the underlying cause. The main challenge of a prehospital patient with undifferentiated AMS is to rapidly identify and treat life‐threatening or potentially reversible problems in the field in order to prevent added morbidity from the complications of a prolonged condition.