How to handle a medical emergency situation

William is about to get into his car in a hospital parking lot when he suffers a heart attack. Helen, a
nurse at the hospital, and her friend Amanda witness the event and rush to his aid.

Helen: Sir, can you hear me? My name is Helen. I'm a nurse.

Amanda: He's not responding. Is there anything I can do?

Helen: Go get help.

Amanda runs towards the hospital reception, while Helen examines William, lying on the ground.

Helen: Hello, sir, can you hear me? Please squeeze my hand if you can.

William does not respond in any way.

Amanda arrives with another nurse, Nicolas, and emergency medical equipment.

Helen: I checked his airway. It's clear, but he's not breathing.

Nicolas places a bag valve mask on William and starts to do chest compressions. William does not
respond, so Nicolas defibrillates three times until he detects a very faint pulse.

How to talk about medical symptoms

Melissa brings her 6-year-old daughter Kelly, who has been feeling unwell for a few days, to the
emergency department. The nurse is collecting relevant information about Kelly's symptoms

Nurse: Can you tell me when this started?

Melissa: Last Thursday. She didn't want to eat her lunch that day, which is unusual for her. She
usually has a good appetite.

Nurse: What has she eaten since then?

Melissa: Practically nothing. She woke up this morning and vomited, complaining of a stomach
ache and headache.

Nurse: I'll give her some fluids to take for hydration. Did she experience any diarrhea?

Melissa: No, fortunately.

Nurse: What is she feeling now? Does she still have a stomach ache and headache?

Melissa: Yes, though the pain has subsided a little.

Nurse: Do you know if any of her friends or classmates are sick?

Melissa: Not to my knowledge, but I can check.

Nurse: Yes, thank you. That would be helpful.

Asking someone to call for help
Can you/someone get help?
Can you get help?
Can you/someone call for help?
Can someone call for help?

Telling someone to help

Help me!
Get help!
Go find help!

Offering assistance
Can I help?
How can I help?
Please let me help.
Is there anything I can do?

Checking a patient's response

Can you hear me?
Please ...if you hear me/understand.
Please squeeze my hand if you understand.

Reporting observations to a medical responder

He/She is not responding.
He is not responding.
He/She is not breathing.
She is not breathing.
He/She is not showing any signs of a response.
He is not showing any signs of a response.
I checked his/her airway/air passage. It's (clear/blocked).
I checked her airway. It's clear.
There's (a/no) pulse.
There's a pulse.
I can't feel a pulse.