Ch. 16 Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards
Croup
Upper airway infection.
Viral infection with inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea. Common in children.
S&S: cold, fever, stridor, seal-bark cough
Epiglottitis
Upper airway infection.
Life-threatening bacterial infection with inflammation of the epiglottis. Never insert anything into the mouth of patient, it can cause spasm of the epilottis and close the airway. Treat patients gently and do not over excite or agitate them.
S&S: fever, sore throat, cough, tripod position, drooling, stridor
Problems of ventilation
Upper airway infection. Main difficulty is in transporting oxygen from the atmosphere to the bronchi of the lungs. Position patients in a High-Fowler’s position. Patients respond well to humidified oxygen if available otherwise administer supplemental oxygen.
Respiratory syncytial virus
Lower airway infection.
Infection and inflammation of the lungs. Common cause of respiratory complaints in children. Results in pneumonia and bronchiolitis. High contagious airborne pathogen transmitted by cough and sneezes. Can survive outside the body on surfaces and clothing.
Bronchiolitis
Lower airway infection
Infection and inflammation of the bronchioles. Newborns and toddlers are most affected.
S&S: wheezes and rales
Pneumonia
Lower airway infection.
Infection that can be bacterial, viral or fungal. Inflammation occurs in affected region of the lungs and the alveoli fill with pus resulting in botha problem of ventilation and diffusion.
S&S: dyspnea, fever, rhonchi, rales, or wheezes.
Pertussis
Lower airway infection.
Highly contagious airborne bacterial infection. Leading killer of young children.
S&S: fever, runny nose, dehydration, whoop cough
Cystic fibrosis
Lower airway obstruction
Hereditary disease that affects the mucus-secreting goblet cells that line the respiratory tract. Increased mucus production and incidence of respiratory infection.
S&S: dyspnea, weakness, fatigue, productive cough, history of cystic fibrosis.
Asthma
Lower airway obstruction. It is a problem of ventilation.
Two things happens during an asthma attack, bronchospasm and inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles.
S&S: dyspnea, wheezes, cough
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction.
Emphysema
A form of COPD. Noxious substances damage alveoli. Is primarily a problem of diffusion. Results in unusually large chest and difficulty expelling excess mucus. At higher risk of pneumothorax. Often called “pink puffers”.
S&S: recent weight loss, dyspnea with exertion, cigarette and tobacco usage, lack of cough.
Chronic Bronchitis
Form of COPD. A problem of ventilation. Increased mucus production from goblet cells lining the bronchi. Airway swelling, bronchospasm, alveoli relatively unaffected.
S&S: overweight, rhonchi, wheezes, history of smoking and frequent respiratory infections, “blue-bloater”.
Hypoxic Drive
A situation in which patients with severe chronic respiratory conditions lose the ability to regulate respiration’s according to carbon dioxide levels.
Acute Pulmonary Edema
Accumulation of fluid within the alveolar capillary membrane and the alveoli. Two types cardiogenic and noncardiogenic. Results in dyspnea, rales, JVD, pedal edema.
Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space. Acquired in the absence of trauma. Results in collapsed lung followed by an immediate onset of dyspnea. Can be treated with oxygen flow of pleural decompressions (ALS).
S&S: sudden onset, absent lung sounds, sharp, pleuritic chest or shoulder pain, JVD.
Pulmonary Embolism
Obstruction of pulmonary blood vessel by thrombi or emboli.
S&S: sudden onset of dyspnea, localized chest pain, clear lungs sounds, good tidal volume.
Toxic Inhalation
Inhalation of heated air or chemical irritants that can cause burns and swelling along the entire respiratory tract and destroy alveoli. Results in problems with ventilation and diffusion.
S&S: dyspnea, stridor, rales, rhonchi, or wheezes, exposure to heat or chemicals.
Hyperventilation Syndrome
Excessive loss of carbon dioxide through tachypnea. Commonly associated with anxiety and panic attacks.
S&S: tachypnea, chest pain, pain, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, anxiety.
