1- Respiratory Disorders

Question 1

Upper airway obstruction

Pathophysiology, Assessment S/S, Treatment, Notes

Answer 1

Pathophysiology: Obstructed airway

Assessment: Find the cause

Treatment: Find the cause

Notes: Remove object if possible

Question 2

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Pathophysiology, Assessment S/S, Treatment, Notes

Answer 2

Pathophysiology: Non-cardiac PE. Damage to alveoli, fluid
leaking into the alveoli

Assessment: Abnormal breath sounds, symptoms from the underlying
cause (A lot of causes)

Treatment: Fix original issue, CPAP, Monitor, IV, O2, corticosteroids
Dexamethasone 4mg

Notes: Resp failure is indicated by diminished LOC. Many causes.

Question 3

Emphysema

Pathophysiology, Assessment S/S, Treatment, Notes

Answer 3

Pathophysiology: Grouping of alveoli into bigger less
sturdy blebs. Back up of fluid to right
side of heart. Pulmonary hypotension.

Assessment: CO2 retention, weight loss, dyspnea, barrel chest, JVD/edema, increased IE, puffing, shark fin capno

Treatment: POC, CPAP, IV, O2, Monitor, Bronchodilators, corticosteroids

Notes: Pink puffer, PEEP is needed, hypertrophy of accessory muscles

Question 4

Chronic bronchitis

Pathophysiology, Assessment S/S, Treatment, Notes

Answer 4

Pathophysiology: Increased mucous production due to decreased cilia causing excess mucous on alveoli, restricting O2 movement across alveolar membrane

Assessment: Overweight (fatigue easily), crackles, JVD/edema, shark fin capno, chronic hypoxia

Treatment: POC, IV, O2, Monitor, CPAP, bronchodilators, corticosteroids

Notes: Blue bloater

Question 5

Asthma

Pathophysiology, Assessment S/S, Treatment, Notes

Answer 5

Pathophysiology: 2 stage; 1) Histamine triggered release 2) WBC’s in interstitial space hours later
Asthma Triad; Bronchoconstriction, Inflammation, Mucous production

Assessment: Dyspnea, wheezing, cough, limited speech, shark fin capno

Treatment: O2, CPAP, bronchodilators, reduce inflammation
Solu-Medrol: 80mg IV, Pedi 2mg/kg 80mg max

Notes: Use largest tube if RSI,
Status asthmaticus: Bronchodilators didn’t help, diminished
breath sounds

Question 6

Upper respiratory infection

Pathophysiology, Assessment S/S, Treatment, Notes

Answer 6

Pathophysiology: From viral and bacterial infections. Typically resolve in several days.

Assessment: Check for underlying illness, eval peds for drooling due to epiglottitis

Treatment: Maintain airway, support breathing, treat S/S

Notes: Mainly common cold, rarely life threatening

Question 7

Pneumonia

Pathophysiology, Assessment S/S, Treatment, Notes

Answer 7

Pathophysiology: Infection of the lungs, can be hospital or community acquired. Can spread through lungs. Alveoli may collapse

Assessment: Fever with chills, deep productive cough, Tachypnea, TachyC, junky sounding lung(s), decreased air movement in effected lung

Treatment: O2, IV, no fluid overload, NO CPAP, antibiotics, antipyretics, bronchodilators

Notes: Check tactile fremetus (more vibration of effected side)