Ch. 20 Flashcards
In addition to pneumonia, which of the following is a complication of COPD?
A) Allergic reaction from beta2 medications
B) Difficulty controlling blood sugar
C) Spontaneous pneumothorax
D) Deep vein thrombosis
C) Spontaneous pneumothorax
Page Ref: 518
Objective: 20.6 Describe the pathophysiology by which specific conditions lead to inadequate oxygenation.
Which of the following fits the definition for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
A) A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
B) A form of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema
C) A viral respiratory disease
D) An infection resulting in inflammation of the larynx
B) A form of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema
Page Ref: 522
Objective: 20.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter; 20.6 Describe the pathophysiology by which specific conditions lead to inadequate oxygenation.
Which of the following is TRUE regarding a patient with severe respiratory distress?
A) Cellular metabolism without adequate oxygen creates an alkalotic state.
B) Supporting an open airway is usually sufficient to reverse respiratory distress.
C) A blocked airway is the most common cause of respiratory emergencies.
D) Altered mental status may be a sign of exhaustion and impending respiratory failure.
D) Altered mental status may be a sign of exhaustion and impending respiratory failure.
Page Ref: 512
Objective: 20.2 Explain the importance of being able to quickly recognize and treat patients with respiratory emergencies; 20.4 Conduct an appropriate examination for a patient with a respiratory problem.
Carbon dioxide exchanged for oxygen in the alveolus in the lungs is an example of:
A) internal respiration.
B) anatomic ventilation.
C) external respiration.
D) oxyhemoglobin exchange.
C) external respiration.
Page Ref: 508
Objective: Supplemental
What occurs when the body’s need for oxygen exceeds the available oxygen supply?
A) Anaerobic metabolism
B) Hypoxia
C) Cyanosis
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Page Ref: 510, 512
Objective: 20.5 Explain the relationship between dyspnea and hypoxia.
Your patient is complaining of chest pain and is cool, pale, and diaphoretic with a bluish tinge on his nail beds. You place a pulse oximeter probe on his index finger and it shows a reading of 88 percent. Based on this information, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A) He is hypoxic with signs of pulmonary embolism.
B) His chest pain is likely of cardiac origin.
C) His skin presentation is consistent with pneumonia.
D) He would benefit from nitroglycerin administration.
A) He is hypoxic with signs of pulmonary embolism.
Page Ref: 521
Objective: 20.5 Explain the relationship between dyspnea and hypoxia.
You were summoned by a family member for a 64-year-old woman who is having an acute respiratory emergency. She complains that her chest feels tight, and she wheezes on expiration. Her vital signs show she is tachycardic. You should suspect:
A) a pulmonary embolism.
B) an asthma attack.
C) a pneumothorax.
D) pulmonary edema.
B) an asthma attack.
Page Ref: 520
Objective: 20.7 Use patient histories and clinical presentations to differentiate among causes of respiratory emergencies.
Which of the following is CORRECT regarding asthma?
A) After initial treatment for an attack, a secondary reaction may occur hours later.
B) If treated by beta2-agonists, the underlying inflammation is eliminated.
C) Beta2-agonists act to reduce mucus production in the lungs.
D) When an asthmatic stops wheezing, the medication is working well.
A) After initial treatment for an attack, a secondary reaction may occur hours later.
Page Ref: 520
Objective: 20.6 Describe the pathophysiology by which specific conditions lead to inadequate oxygenation; 20.7 Use patient histories and clinical presentations to differentiate among causes of respiratory emergencies.
Your patient has a history of viscous mucus that blocks the ducts of the exocrine glands that secrete digestive enzymes into the digestive tract. These thick secretions also obstruct the airways. This patient likely has:
A) COPD.
B) pneumonia.
C) emphysema.
D) cystic fibrosis.
D) cystic fibrosis.
Page Ref: 528
Objective: 20.6 Describe the pathophysiology by which specific conditions lead to inadequate oxygenation.
You are called for an 18-year-old woman with dyspnea with sharp chest pain. Your assessment shows she has cramps in her hands and fingers. How should you treat this patient?
A) Administer a dose of three baby aspirin.
B) Have her breathe slowly into a paper bag.
C) Coach her to use her diaphragm to breathe.
D) Administer an albuterol treatment.
C) Coach her to use her diaphragm to breathe.
Page Ref: 525
Objective: 20.6 Describe the pathophysiology by which specific conditions lead to inadequate oxygenation; 20.7 Use patient histories and clinical presentations to differentiate among causes of respiratory emergencies.
A 56-year-old man is complaining of chest pain without respiratory distress. His vital signs show a blood pressure of 146/88, pulse 88, and pulse oximetry reading of 97 percent. How should you treat this patient?
A) Administer oxygen via nonrebreather at 15 liters per minute.
B) Provide oxygen via bag-valve-mask at 15 liters per minute.
C) Assure that his airway is secure and monitor his respiratory status.
D) Assist the patient with his metered dose inhaler.
C) Assure that his airway is secure and monitor his respiratory status.
Page Ref: 512-514
Objective: 20.8 Engage in effective clinical reasoning in order to develop a safe and appropriate treatment plan for patients with respiratory emergencies.
Which of the following is important information to gather from a patient with suspected pneumonia?
A) Acute onset of chills and fever
B) History of recent bout of bronchitis
C) Dyspnea that is progressively worsening
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Page Ref: 527
Objective: 20.7 Use patient histories and clinical presentations to differentiate among causes of respiratory emergencies.
You are explaining to your EMT partner how he can differentiate tension pneumothorax from a simple pneumothorax. Which of the following would you tell him indicates tension pneumothorax?
A) Jugular venous distension
B) Mild to severe shortness of breath
C) Decreased lung sounds on affected side
D) Tachycardia related to anxiety
A) Jugular venous distension
Page Ref: 524
Objective: 20.7 Use patient histories and clinical presentations to differentiate among causes of respiratory emergencies.
You are called for a patient with respiratory distress. She is only able to speak in one or two word phrases, so you check her medication list to give you some history. Which of the following medications would be a long acting beta2-agonist?
A) Albuterol
B) Terbutaline
C) Proventil
D) Atrovent
B) Terbutaline
Page Ref: 516
Objective: 20.10 Differentiate between short-acting beta2 agonists appropriate for prehospital use and respiratory medications that are not intended for emergency use.
You are assessing a patient complaining of shortness of breath. Which of the following medications would indicate the patient has a history of respiratory disease?
A) Phenobarbital
B) Tregretol
C) Theophylline
D) Lithium
C) Theophylline
Page Ref: 516
Objective: 20.9 Given a list of patient medications, recognize medications that are associated with respiratory disease.
Your patient is having extreme difficulty breathing and you note bilateral wheezing in all quadrants. She is unable to hold herself upright and has become lethargic. Which of the following should you immediately do?
A) Provide ventilation with a bag-valve-mask.
B) Call for Advanced Life Support backup.
C) Administer oxygen via nonrebreather.
D) Call for orders to intubate.
A) Provide ventilation with a bag-valve-mask.
Page Ref: 514
Objective: 20.8 Engage in effective clinical reasoning in order to develop a safe and appropriate treatment plan for patients with respiratory emergencies.
You have provided an albuterol treatment for your asthma patient, and after a few minutes you reassess her. Which of the following would indicate that she is worsening rather than improving?
A) She has become tachycardic.
B) She is becoming lethargic.
C) Her blood pressure is unchanged.
D) She reports increased palpitations.
B) She is becoming lethargic.
Page Ref: 512; 515-516; 521
Objective: 20.11 Use reassessment to identify responses to treatment and changes in the conditions of patients presenting with respiratory complaints and emergencies.
Signs and symptoms of a life-threatening emergency due to asthma include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) cyanosis.
B) altered mental status.
C) chest pain.
D) decreased breath sounds.
C) chest pain.
Page Ref: 519-521
Objective: 20.4 Conduct an appropriate examination for a patient with a respiratory problem.
