ch 16 Flashcards
What is the primary function of the respiratory system
To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
What is respiratory distress
Increased work of breathing while maintaining adequate oxygenation
What is respiratory failure
Inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues; breathing stops or is insufficient
What is respiratory arrest
Complete cessation of breathing
What is dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
What is hypoxia
Inadequate oxygen supply to tissues
What are signs of inadequate breathing
Altered mental status cyanosis abnormal breath sounds poor chest rise
What are normal breath sounds called
Vesicular breath sounds
What are adventitious breath sounds
Abnormal sounds like wheezing rales rhonchi stridor
What does wheezing indicate
Lower airway obstruction (e.g. asthma or COPD)
What does rales/crackles indicate
Fluid in alveoli (e.g. pulmonary edema or pneumonia)
What does rhonchi suggest
Mucus or secretions in large airways (e.g. bronchitis)
What does stridor suggest
Upper airway obstruction (e.g. croup or foreign body)
What is asthma
Chronic inflammatory condition causing bronchospasm and airway narrowing
What are symptoms of asthma
Wheezing dyspnea chest tightness cough
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Progressive lung disease often caused by smoking includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis
What are signs of COPD
Barrel chest pursed-lip breathing wheezing chronic cough
What is congestive heart failure (CHF)
Heart’s inability to pump effectively leading to pulmonary edema
What are signs of CHF with respiratory involvement
Rales orthopnea (Discomfort when breathing while lying down flat) pink frothy sputum dyspnea
What is pneumonia
Infection of the lungs causing inflammation and fluid in alveoli
What are signs of pneumonia
Fever productive cough pleuritic chest pain localized crackles
What is a pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse
What are signs of a pneumothorax
Sudden dyspnea diminished breath sounds on one side tracheal deviation (late)
What is a pulmonary embolism
A blood clot blocking blood flow in the lungs
What are signs of pulmonary embolism
Sudden sharp chest pain dyspnea tachycardia clear lungs
What is epiglottitis
Life-threatening upper airway inflammation
What are signs of epiglottitis
Drooling fever tripod position stridor
What is croup
Viral infection of the upper airway common in children
What are signs of croup
Barking cough stridor low-grade fever
What is hyperventilation syndrome
Rapid breathing due to anxiety or panic
What are signs of hyperventilation
Dizziness tingling chest tightness carpopedal spasms
What is the treatment priority for respiratory emergencies
Maintain airway support breathing administer oxygen
What is the most important assessment tool for respiratory patients
Pulse oximetry
When should you assist ventilations
When breathing is inadequate or respiratory failure is present
Patient is tripodting, drooling, has stridor, and a high fever, What condition should you suspect?
Epiglottitis
Patient with asthma is using accessory muscles, speaks in 1–2 word sentences, and has wheezing, What should you do?
Assist with prescribed inhaler if available and provide oxygen
A 68-year-old with a history of CHF is sitting upright, gasping, and has pink frothy sputum, What is the likely diagnosis?
Pulmonary edema from CHF
A young child has a barking cough, stridor, and recent cold symptoms, What is the likely condition?
Croup
Patient with chest pain, tachypnea, clear lung sounds, and recent surgery, What life-threatening condition should you suspect?
Pulmonary embolism
A tall, thin man suddenly develops sharp chest pain and dyspnea after a hard cough, What could be the cause?
Spontaneous pneumothorax
A patient is breathing rapidly, dizzy, and complains of numbness in hands and feet after emotional distress, What is the likely cause?
Hyperventilation syndrome
Unresponsive patient has shallow breathing and no chest rise, What’s your first step?
Open airway and begin assisted ventilations with BVM
What causes the airway narrowing in asthma?
Bronchospasm, inflammation, and excess mucus
What medication might an EMT assist with in a pt with asthma?
A prescribed metered-dose inhaler (MDI) or nebulizer
What are hallmark signs of emphysema?
Barrel chest, thin appearance, pursed-lip breathing
How is chronic bronchitis different from emphysema?
Chronic bronchitis involves chronic mucus production and cough; emphysema is alveolar damage
Why does CHF cause respiratory symptoms?
The heart can’t pump efficiently, leading to fluid backup in lungs (pulmonary edema)
What breath sound is commonly heard?
Crackles or rales
What puts a patient at high risk for pulmonary embolism?
Recent surgery, immobility, long flights, history of DVT (Deep vein thrombosis) or clotting disorder
What is often present with pneumonia that’s not typical in other respiratory conditions?
Fever and productive cough
How is Pneumonia lung sound presentation different from CHF?
Localized crackles in pneumonia vs. diffuse crackles in CHF
What is the age group most affected by Croup?
Children ages 6 months to 3 years
Why should you avoid examining the throat in a suspected Epiglottitis?
It may cause airway spasms and sudden obstruction
Why might hyperventilation cause tingling and muscle spasms?
Blowing off too much CO₂ causes respiratory alkalosis
What breath sound finding is most common in Pneumothorax?
Absent or diminished breath sounds on one side
What are early signs of respiratory compromise
Restlessness anxiety increased work of breathing tachypnea
What are late signs of respiratory failure
Cyanosis altered LOC bradypnea silent chest
What are signs of respiratory distress in children
Nasal flaring grunting retractions accessory muscle usage
What is the best position for a patient in respiratory distress
Fowler’s or semi-Fowler’s (unless hypotensive)
What does the tripod position indicate
Severe respiratory distress (e.g. asthma COPD or epiglottitis)
When should you provide oxygen only
When breathing is adequate but the patient is in distress
When should you assist with ventilations
When breathing is inadequate or mental status is altered
What is a normal pulse oximetry reading
95–100%
At what SpO₂ should you consider administering oxygen
<94%
What can make pulse oximetry inaccurate
Hypoperfusion cold extremities carbon monoxide poisoning
When is CPAP indicated
Pulmonary edema COPD or asthma with moderate to severe distress
When is CPAP contraindicated
Altered LOC vomiting hypotension trauma
What is a common rescue inhaler EMTs may assist with
Albuterol (beta-2 agonist)
What are side effects of albuterol
Increased heart rate jitteriness anxiety
What does a “silent chest” in an asthma patient suggest
Complete airway obstruction – critical emergency
What oxygen device delivers 1–6 L/min at 24–44% oxygen
Nasal cannula
What oxygen device delivers 10–15 L/min up to 90–100% oxygen
Nonrebreather mask (NRB)
What oxygen device delivers 100% oxygen with good seal and reservoir
Bag-valve mask (BVM)
Why is reassessment important after treatment
To monitor for improvement or deterioration
