Headache

1. It’s eleven o’clock in the morning, and you’re a operational paramedic. A 42-year-old woman comes to you and complains about strong headaches.

What should you consider first?

You must first ask questions to determine the cause of the headache.

Give her a painkiller (for example Dafalgan) against the headaches and then let them go back to her work.

Call the JDMT service line and inquire about what you should do.

2. The patient tells you that she already had a slight headache last night. In the night, however, she had no more and this morning when she left her apartment she also had no pain. It was only since she was back in the office that she had a slight headache again. These had now grown stronger all morning.

Which answer is correct?

From this description I can exclude something life-threatening. The 3 S and the first impression confirm my suspicion.

I can ask further questions: if they have taken something special (medication, drugs) or how much they have been drinking (too little water, too much alcohol). I can also ask if she got a blow against the head or not.

I’m not quite sure and I do not know what to do. So I call the JDMT service line or the 144.

3. The patient informs you that she often has a headache and has been suffering from migraine since she was a child. She had come to you because she could sometimes stop the onset of a migraine attack with simple painkillers. Unfortunately, she does not have them with her today and asks you if you have any painkillers.

Which answer is correct?

You provide the information that you are not allowed to deliver medicines. But you suggest, that you would go with her to a pharmacy close by and buy some painkillers with her. Further advise her to report back to you in an hour and briefly tell whether the pain has become less strong or not.

Call the JDMT Service Line or 144 to make sure you do not go wrong or overlook anything.

You provide information that you are not allowed to deliver medicines. You remind the work colleague that she could find a pharmacy close by. She should report back to you in an hour and tell you briefly whether the pain was less strong or not.