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NREMT Study Cards > Airway, Respiration, and Ventilation > Flashcards

Airway, Respiration, and Ventilation Flashcards

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1
Q

What is COPD characterized by? What is the signs and symptoms? What is the most common cause

A
  1. Characterized by degree of irreversible airway obstruction (emphysema), presence of significant inflammation (chronic bronchitis)
  2. Dyspnea, poor exercise tolerance, chronic coughing with and without sputum production, wheezing and respiratory failure
  3. Smoking is the most common cause of COPD
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2
Q

What are snoring respirations an indicator of?

A

A partially obstructed airway

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3
Q

What is the flow rate and maximum oxygen concentration that can be delivered via nasal cannula and nonrebreather

A
  1. The flow rate range of the nasal cannula is 1-6 liters per minute and delivers oxygen concentration between 24% and 44%
  2. The flow rate of the non-rebreather mask can supplement oxygen at 15 liters per minute and deliver oxygen up to 95%
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4
Q

Range of respiration for

Infant (0 to 12 months)
Toddler (1 to 3 years)
Preschooler (3 to 5 years)
School-aged (6 to 11 years)
Adolescent (12 to 15 years)
Ages >15 years

A

Infant (0 to 12 months): 30 to 60 breaths per minute
Toddler (1 to 3 years): 22 to 37 breaths per minute
Preschooler (3 to 5 years): 20 to 28 breaths per minute
School-aged (6 to 11 years): 18 to 25 breaths per minute
Adolescent (12 to 15 years): 12 to 20 breaths per minute
Ages >15 years: 12 to 20 breaths per minute

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5
Q

What is croup? What are its hallmark signs?

A

An infection of the upper airway, which becomes narrow, making it harder to breathe

Hallmark signs: presents seal-bark cough, and stridor.

It is seen in children ages 2-6 and follows an upper respiratory tract infection

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6
Q

What does putting a patient in recovery position do?

A

It will keep their airway clear and open, and ensures any obstruction will not cause them to choke

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6
Q

What is chronic bronchitis and its signs and symptoms

A

Chronic bronchitis: Productive cough lasting longer than 3 months

Signs and symptoms
Productive cough
Shortness of breath
Peripheral and central cyanosis
Rhonchi
Wheezing
Obesity

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7
Q

What is emphysema? signs and symptoms?

A

Emphysema: Chronic condition which the alveoli is destroyed and no surface area is available for gas exchange

Dry nonproductive cough
Barrel chest
Dyspnea
Cyanosis
Wheezing/decreased breath sounds
Mostly seen in older patients
Flushed skin on the nose and mouth

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8
Q

Wheezing

A

A high-pitched whistling or purring sound that occurs when air moves through narrowed airways in the lungs, usually heard upon exhalation

Occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis because of swelling of bronchioles and bronchospasm

Suggests bronchospasm and narrowing of the lower airways

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9
Q

Chyne-Stokes respirations

A

Characterized by pattern of breathing that involves gradual increase in depth, followed by gradual decrease, then a temporary stop in breathing (apnea), cycle repeats

Often seen in patients with heart failure, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries

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10
Q

Biot’s Respiration (ataxic breathing)

A

Irregular breathing pattern characterized by groups of quick shallow breaths, followed by irregular periods of apnea. Does not follow a cycle

Often caused by strokes, trauma, opioid use, or increased intracranial pressure

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11
Q

Kussmaul’s respirations

A

Characterized by deep, rapid respirations commonly seen in patients with metabolic acidosis

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12
Q

Agonal respirations

A

Occasional gasping breaths that occur when the respiratory center in the brain continues sending signals to the respiratory muscles

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13
Q

Stridor

A

an abnormal, high-pitched respiratory sound produced by irregular airflow in a narrowed airway

Indicates significant upper airway obstruction and is prominent during the inspiration phase

Often heard in
croup
epiglottis
foreign airway aspirations

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14
Q

Pneumonia? Signs and symptoms? Causes?

A

an infection of the lungs

Signs and symptoms:
Fever
Shortness of breath
Productive cough
Chest discomfort
Headaches
Wheezing and/or rhonchi
Tachycardia

Caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, immobility due to hospitalization or surgery

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15
Q

Grunting

A

uh sound heart during ventilation.

Indicates inadequate oxygenation, such as in pneumonia

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16
Q

Rhonchi

A

loud, low-pitched, continuous lung sounds that can sound like snoring or gurgling

Caused by constricted or rough airflow in the airways. Sounds occur during expiration or both inspiration and expiration

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17
Q

Hypoxia and early, late signs

A

Low levels of oxygen in your body tissues

Early signs of hypoxia are: anxiety, tachycardia, and irritability

Late signs of hypoxia are: changes in mental status, a weak, thready pulse and cyanosis

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18
Q

Tuberculosis (TB)

A

an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by bacteria.

Spread through the air when infected people cough or sneeze

19
Q

What are commonly prescribed asthma medications

A
  • Albuterol
  • Atrovent
  • Budesonide
  • beclomethasone
  • fluticasone
  • ipratropium
  • levalbuterol
  • montelukast
  • salmeterol
20
Q

What is internal respiration?

A

the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the cells of the body an systemic circulation

21
Q

What are indications for CPAP

A
  • an alert patient displaying moderate to severe respiratory distress from underlying pathology such as COPD, pulmonary edema or pneumonia
  • respiratory distress after a submersion incident
  • pulse oximetry below 90% despite supplemental oxygen
  • rapid breathing that affects minute volume
22
Q

What are considered intrinsic factors that cause challenges with maintaining an open airway?

A

Allergic reactions
Airway obstruction from tounge
Swollen tissue from infection

23
Q

What are the potential signs of airway obstruction?

A

Potential signs of airway obstruction in an unconscious adult patient include noisy breathing (e.g., snoring, bubbling, gurgling, crowing, or stridor), extremely shallow breathing, and apnea.

24
Q

What is a contraindication to CPAP

A

Apnea is a contraindication to CPAP administration, as the patient must be breathing and able to support their airway for it to be effective.

25
Q

What is cyanide? What are the effects of cyanide on the body? Signs and symptoms when taken in high and low doses

A
  1. Colorless agent and smells like almonds
  2. Prevents the body from offloading oxygen molecules, binding to cells, and preventing the use of oxygen by the body
  3. Low doses of cyanide cause dizziness, lightheadedness, vomiting and headaches
  4. High doses of cyanide can cause shortness of breath, tachypnea, coma, flushed skin, tachycardia, altered mental status, seizures
26
Q

Upper airway structures

A

nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx, mouth, epiglottis, and larynx

27
Q

Lower airway structures

A

trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and pulmonary capillaries, carina

28
Q

What is asthma?

A

Asthma is an acute condition or a chronic disease in which the airway passages constrict due to inflammation and fill with an over-production of mucus

Causes bronchospasm and mucus production

Signs and symptoms
- Wheezing, tachypnea, and anxiety

29
Q

What is ventilation and its components?

A

Ventilation is the process of moving air in and out of the lungs.

Components of ventilation include dead space, vital capacity, and alveolar minute volume.

30
Q

Dead space

A

Portion of the tidal volume that does not participate in gas exchange.

31
Q

Vital capacity

A

Amount of air forcibly exhaled after taking a deep breath.

32
Q

Alveolar minute volume

A

volume of air that reaches the alveoli.

33
Q

Croup? Signs and symptoms?

A

Airway infection in the area below the vocal cords. The airway significantly narrows due to inflammation

Signs and symptoms
loud seal-bark cough
Difficulty breathing
Stridor

34
Q

External respiration

A

Refers to the process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between alveoli and blood and is a factor in respiration, not ventilation.

35
Q

Epiglottis? Hallmark sign?

A

Inflammation and infection of the epiglottis

Hallmark sign is drooling accompanied by a sore throat

36
Q

Rales

A

Abnormal sounds in the lungs are heard when a person breathes in. Can sound like Small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lungs

Indicates fluid such as pulmonary edema

37
Q

How to differentiate between chronic bronchitis and emphysema

A

chronic bronchitis has a productive fluid filled cough while emphysema has a non-productive dry cough

38
Q

Spontaneous pneumothorax

A

End-stage emphysema patients are susceptible to a spontaneous pneumothorax

  • The lungs are weakened and exhibit damage to the lung tissue, causing air to escape and creating a pneumothorax
39
Q

What is a pneumothorax

A

Known as a collapsed lung, is a condition that occurs when air collects in the space between the lung and the chest wall.

This air can come from the lung or from outside the body. The air buildup can put pressure on the lung, preventing it from expanding when you breathe, and can cause it to collapse partially or completely.

40
Q

What is pulmonary edema? Signs and symptoms? Treatment?

A

Definition: Fluid buildup in the lungs

Signs and symptoms: shortness of breath that progressively gets worse, audible wheezing, coughing up pink, frothy sputum

Treatment: CPAP

41
Q

What is a pulmonary embolism? Signs and symptoms?

A

It is a blood clot within the circulatory system and becomes lodged in the pulmonary arteries, causing a decrease of blockage of blood flow

Signs and symptoms: Sudden onset of shortness of breath, sudden onset of chest pain, tachycardia, cyanosis

42
Q

What are each of these breath sounds indicative of?

Rhonchi
Stridor
Rales
Wheezing

A

Rhonchi is indicative of infection, mucus or fluid and presents with a productive cough

Stridor is indicative of upper airway obstruction and is a loud whistling sound

Rales: Fine crackles that signify fluid in the lungs

Wheezing: Indicative of bronchospasms

43
Q

What respiratory diseases does COPD include?

A

Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma

44
Q

Respiratory alkalosis

A

Buildup of carbon dioxide and buildup of the excess base in body fluids

Primary cause of hyperventilation syndrome

45
Q

Hyperventilation syndrome and its signs and symptoms

A

Caused by respiratory alkalosis

Causes anxiety, numbness, and tingling and spasms of the hands and feet. Have difficulty breathing and trouble speaking

46
Q

Respiratory acidosis and what is it caused by

A

Occurs from excess carbon dioxide buildup from inadequate ventilation

Caused by opioid overdose and head injuries

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