| Nearly 100 million people go to the emergency room | | | | treatment |
| each year. It is important to know what to expect | | | | - The teen may need to be casted |
| when you take your teen to the ER before it | | | | - The teen may need fluids and need and IV (a small |
| happens. This article will show you what to expect | | | | tube into the vein to get fluid into you) |
| when you take your teen to the ER and what you | | | | - The teen may be given medicine to feel better The |
| can do to make sure the visit is successful and as | | | | people taking care of you may include some or all of |
| stress free as possible. | | | | the following: |
| Preparation | | | | - Primary physician: This will be the doctor that |
| Don't wait for the emergency to happen to run | | | | directs your care |
| around looking for the things you should have ready | | | | - Physician in a Resident Program: Works under the |
| for any possible emergency. | | | | supervision of the Primary Doctor |
| This means have a list of phone numbers ready near | | | | - Physician assistant: Aids the Doctors |
| the phone: | | | | - Intern: A doctor in training, not yet fully licensed to |
| - Police | | | | practice medicine |
| - Fire | | | | - Lead nurse: The one who follows the instruction of |
| - Doctor | | | | the doctor and does the physical care |
| - Ambulance | | | | - Emergency room technicians: These are the people |
| - Poison Control | | | | that carry out the orders of treatment and test |
| - Hospital Another list that is just as important should | | | | ordered by the doctor |
| contain: | | | | - X-ray technicians: Carry out Xray order either in the |
| - The teens allergies | | | | ER room or Xray room |
| - Medication and dosages they take | | | | - Respiratory therapists and technicians: Deal with |
| - Any list of diseases or disorders they have | | | | breathing treatments and problems |
| - Their insurance information Before you go to the | | | | - Pastoral Care: Religious needs are met through |
| hospital take with you anything that might help out in | | | | them Once you have passed through the emergency |
| their care of the teen: | | | | room gauntlet and have been released to home you |
| - If he was bit by a spider and killed it, bring the | | | | will: |
| spider | | | | - Receive from the physician in writing any necessary |
| - If he was bit by a snake and killed it, bring the | | | | prescriptions and follow-up orders. |
| snake | | | | - The nurse will review your written discharge |
| - If he ate, drank, huffed, puffed, injected and | | | | instructions with you and answer any questions you |
| swallowed anything. Bring it. If it is gone, bring one | | | | may have. |
| like it. Examination | | | | - Discharge instructions will include: your diagnosis, |
| The teen will be assessed by a triage nurse and put | | | | follow-up care, the name of the physician and nurse |
| in line to be seen by a doctor according to his need | | | | who cared for you, and any special home-care needs. |
| versus others there. You will then go back into the | | | | Now you know what to expect when you take your |
| treatment room. The parent is allowed in the | | | | teen to the ER. You know how to prepare for an |
| treatment area. | | | | emergency. You know what constitutes an |
| Various things will be done according to the problem | | | | emergency. You also know the emergency room |
| such as: | | | | process and hopefully will now be more at peace if |
| - The teen may need to undress and gown up | | | | something bad ever happens and you need to go to |
| - The teen need a blood test | | | | an emergency room. Remember that Emergency |
| - The teen need to be sutured | | | | Room Departments are there for the sole purpose |
| - The teen be examined | | | | of making you feel better and that may mean saving |
| - The teen may need x-rays | | | | your life. |
| - The teen may need some sort of breathing | | | | |