Airway, Respirations, and Ventilation (Adults and Peds)

Question 1

Describe the function of the pulse oximeter

Answer 1

Measures the oxygen saturation through the light transfer (red and Infrared light) through capillary beds and hemoglobin in nail bed or ear lobe

Question 2

Define Kussmals breathing pattern

Answer 2

Characterized by deep, rapid, and labored breathing such as with acidotic example - patients that have disease processes like ketoacidosis in diabetes

Question 3

Describe the features of a BVM

Answer 3

Bag with oxygen inlet, unidirectional valve, mask, and oxygen reservoir

Question 4

Identify the risk factors associated with adult drowning

Answer 4

Age - males are twice as likely to die from drowning than women.
Access to water - whether it be job related such as fishing or near pools
Flood disasters - drowning accounts for 75% of deaths in flood disasters.
Traveling on water - daily commuting or journeys
Alcohol or drug use
Medical conditions

Question 5

Adult signs and symptoms of inadequate breathing

Answer 5

Less than or greater than 12 to 20BPM
Irregular rhythm
Diminished or absent breath sounds 
chest expansion unequal or inadequate
Increased effort of breathing
Shallow depth
Skin pale, cyanotic, cool and clammy
Agonal breathing

Question 6

Signs or symptoms of inadequate breathing for a child or infant

Answer 6

CHILD
Less than or greater than 15 to 30BPM
Irregular
Breath sounds diminished or absent chest expansion unequal or inadequate
increased effort of breathing accessory muscle use
shallow breathing
Pale or cyanotic skin
Retractions between ribs and below rib cage
Nasal flaring
Seesaw breathing

Question 7

Signs and symptoms of croup, bronchiolitis, and epiglottitis

Answer 7

CROUP
Usually in children six months to four years of age; most often worse at night; sometimes following a cold or other respiratory infection. Mild fever, hoarseness, loud “seal bark” cough, difficulty breathing, respiratory distress including nasal flaring, retraction, child tugging at throat, restlessness, paleness with cyanosis.

BRONCHIOLITIS
Difficulty breathing, tachypnea, Shortness of breath, wheezing, shallow breathing, cold symptoms including cough, nasal decongestion, fever, loss of appetite, malaise

EPIGLOTTITIS
Adult slower onset. Children rapid on set. Tripod position, drooling, appearance of distress, sick appearance, muffled voice, fever, pain and difficulty swallowing
Do not inspect the throat. Keep patient calm and rapid transport

Question 8

Range of oxygen concentration percentage delivered by nasal cannula at 1 to 6 L per minute

Answer 8

24-44%