Medical Emergencies & Essential Drug Interventions

Posted on Sep 9, 2025 in Medicine & Health

Medical Emergency Classification & Management

A medical emergency is an injury or illness that poses an immediate threat to a person’s life or long-term health, requiring prompt intervention.

System-Oriented Classification of Emergencies

This classification lists major organ systems and discusses life-threatening situations associated with those systems.

Broad Categories of Emergencies

Cardiovascular: Conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels.
Non-Cardiovascular: Emergencies not primarily involving the cardiovascular system.
Stress-Related: Conditions triggered or exacerbated by stress.
Non-Stress-Related: Emergencies occurring independently of stress.

Detailed System-Based Emergencies

Infectious Diseases
Immune System: Allergies, angioedema, contact dermatitis, anaphylaxis.
Skin and Appendages
Eyes, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
Respiratory Tract: Asthma, hyperventilation.
Cardiovascular System (CVS): Arteriosclerotic heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure.
Blood Disorders
Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) / Liver Disorders
Obstetrics / Gynecology
Nervous System: Unconsciousness, vasovagal syncope, orthostatic hypotension.
Convulsive Disorders: Epilepsy.
Drug Overdose Reactions
Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
Endocrine Disorders: Diabetes Mellitus (hypo- or hyperglycemia).
Thyroid Gland: (Hypo- or hyperthyroidism).
Adrenal Gland: Acute adrenal insufficiency.

Non-Cardiovascular Emergencies

Stress-Related Non-Cardiovascular Emergencies

Hyperventilation
Seizure
Acute Adrenal Insufficiency
Thyroid Storm
Asthma (Bronchospasm)

Non-Stress-Related Non-Cardiovascular Emergencies

Orthostatic Hypotension
Drug Overdose Reaction
Hypoglycemic Reaction
Hyperglycemia
Allergy

Cardiovascular Emergencies

Stress-Related Cardiovascular Emergencies

Angina Pectoris
Acute Heart Failure
Cerebral Ischemia or Infarction

Non-Stress-Related Cardiovascular Emergencies

Acute Myocardial Infarction

Essential Emergency Medications

Understanding the critical drugs used in medical emergencies is vital for effective intervention.

Nitroglycerin

Drug Class/Mechanism	Actions/Properties	Indications	Adverse Effects/Contraindications
Vasodilator Increases release of nitric oxide	Rapid onset of action: 1-2 min Shelf life of tablets: 12 weeks	Acute angina attack Early management of Myocardial Infarction (MI) Acute hypertensive episodes	Headache Facial flushing Hypotension

Salbutamol (Albuterol)

Drug Class/Mechanism	Actions/Properties	Indications	Adverse Effects/Contraindications
Bronchodilator Beta-2 agonist	Specific bronchial smooth muscle relaxant 1-2 inhalations every 4-6 hours	Acute asthma episodes Allergic reactions causing bronchospasm	Tachycardia Arrhythmias

Aspirin

Drug Class/Mechanism	Actions/Properties	Indications	Adverse Effects/Contraindications
Antiplatelet Irreversibly acetylates platelet cyclooxygenase Inhibits production of thromboxane A2 (antithrombotic effect)	Rapid antiplatelet action	Suspected myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris	Hemorrhage (e.g., bleeding peptic ulcer)

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

Drug Class/Mechanism	Actions/Properties	Indications	Adverse Effects/Contraindications
Catecholamine Agonist at both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors	Rapid onset of action Potent bronchodilator (beta-2) Physiological antagonist of histamine Vasopressor (alpha) Increases Heart Rate (HR), Cardiac Output (CO), Blood Pressure (BP)	Acute allergic reaction/anaphylaxis (1:1000 concentration) Cardiac arrest (1:10,000 concentration)	Arrhythmias Pregnant women: decreased placental blood flow

Chlorpheniramine

Drug Class/Mechanism	Actions/Properties	Indications	Adverse Effects/Contraindications
Antihistaminic (H1 blocker) Competitive antagonist at H1 receptors	Prevents the actions of histamine	Delayed-onset allergic reactions Acute allergic reaction/anaphylaxis (adjunctive)	Sedation Decreased blood pressure Thickening of respiratory secretions Avoid in asthmatics