CH 6. pt 2 Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards
2 ways respiratory emergencies can happen
- respiratory becomes difficult or ineffective (respiratory distress)
- respiration stops entirely (respiratory arrest)
for respiration to occur there must be…(4)
- an open passage to the lungs
- lungs must have sufficient oxygen
- gas exchange must occur
- lungs must inflate and deflate with effective rhythm
average respiratory rate of adult, child, infant
adult (12-20)
child (16-24)
infant (30-40)
normal quality of breathing
quiet, regular & effortless
how long without oxygen until clinical death p\takes place?
when heart stops pumping blood, 0-4min (reversible death)
how long until biological death takes place?
organs and brain stop functioning (4+min)
how long w/o oxygen does brain damage possible
4-6 min
how long w/o oxygen until brain damage is likely
6-10min
how long w/o oxygen until brain damage is certain
10+ min. Irreversible death
define hypoxia
insufficient oxygen reaches the cells
S/S of hypoxia
cyanosis
increase RR & HR
restlessness
decreased LOR
Dizzy/lightheadedness
define anoxia
condition with a total lack of oxygen
define eupnea, apnea, dyspnea
eupnea- normal respirations
apnea- cessation of breathing
dyspnea- difficult/laboured breathing including SOB
define respiratory distress
condition where breathing is difficult
define respiratory arrest
condition where breathing has stopped.
-rescue breathing is needed
S/S of respiratory emergencies (7)
-dyspnea
-abnormal breathing sounds
-abnormal breathing rate
-abnormal skin characteristics
-emotional effects (anxious/restless)
-neurological effects (dizzy/light headed)
-patient position (patient is in unusual position/tripod)
causes of respiratory emergencies (9)
trauma (c spine, head, chest)
inhaled toxins (drug overdoses)
low oxygen environment
airway obstruction
neurological injuries/conditions
poor circulation
lung infection
excess fluid in lungs
illness (COPD, emphysema, heart attacks, congestive heart failure)
places where there would be a lack of O2 (3)
- environmental- altitude
- O2 displacement by other gases- carbon monoxide
- O2 consumption- confined spaces
types of airway obstructions (3)
-tongue
-swollen airway
-foreign body obstruction (food, teeth, mouth guard..)
what to do with a partial airway & complete blocked airway
partial- encourage them to keep coughing. They will wheeze and cough. Narrowing of airway.
complete- unable to speak, breath or cough. No air exchange, make a high pitched noise. Caused by forgien body obstruction
what parts of the c spine keeps you breathing (responsible for diaphragm)
C 3, 4, 5
define anaphylaxis
severe allergic reaction that causes the air passage to constrict
what happens during anaphylaxis (4)
- less O2 is coming in due to swollen airway
- blood vessels dilate
- profound low BP
- cardiac collapse
what does an epi pen contain
epinephrine hydrochloride
slows the harmful effects of anaphylaxis
how does the epi pen work? (4)
- constricts blood vessels
- reduces swelling
- increases HR (reduces risk of cardio collapse)
- prevents the release od additional histamines (reducing effects of the allergen on the body)
allergen triggers (5)
food
insect bites/stings
medication
latex
exercise
S/S anaphylaxis
skin rash
itching
weakness
nausea/vomitting
dizzy
dyspnea
tightness in chest/throat
swelling in face/neck/tongue
what systems does anaphylaxis attack?
skin
airway (potentially life threatening)
cardiovascular (potentially life threatening)
CNS
GI tract
define hyperventilation
tachpnea upsetting oxygen and cardon dioxide balance
causes of hyperventilation (9)
fear/anxiety
head injury
illness
hemorrhage
heart failure
metabolic (diabetes coma)
asthma
exercise
high fever
S/S of hyperventilation
shallow/ rapid breathing (characteristic sign)
dizzy
numb/tingling in fingers and toes
respiratory emergencies treatment (4)
O2 administration
maintain normal body temp
rest in comfortable position
reduce environmental heat/humidity
4 key points to resp. arrest
-life threatening
-causes: illness, choking, injury
-Resp. distress comes before arrest
-body systems progressivley fail
define COPD
condition that causes loss of lung function. Results in too uch CO2 in the system
COPD encompasses what 3 clinical conditions
emphasyma
chronic bronchitis
bronchospasm
signs of COPD
-SOB/gasping air
-sitting upright, leaning forward
-Ronchi (course rattling sounds in lungs)
-cyanosis
-JVD
-prolonged exhalation through pursed lips
define emphasyma and S/S
A disease where the aveoli lose their elasticity and become distended with trapped air. Cannot exchange O2 & CO2
- SOB
-difficult exhaling
-coughing, cyanosis, high fever, finger clubbing
-restlessness/confusion
define chronic bronchitis & S/S
Inflammation of the bronchial tube, results in excess mucous secretions making smaller passage for air
-SOB
-coughing with sputum
-cyanosis
triggers to bronchitis
pollutants & smoking
define acute & chronic bronchitis
acute- results frm infection and improves in days
chronic- caused by prolonged exposure to irritants at least 3 months (smoking)
define bronchospasm and S/S
Condition that effects terminal bronchioles (swell with fluid, and muscles surrounding contract and are narrowed)
-SOB
-wheezing
drive to breath in healthy people vs those with COPD
healthy- drive to breathe determined by amount of cO2 in blood
COPD- eventually develop hypoxic drive to breath (can maintain high levels of CO2 in blood for extended periods, the body looks at amount of O2 levels to determine when to breathe
define acute resp. distress syndrome & S/S
Lung disease caused by variety of direct & indirect conditions. Results from resp. illness or trauma to chest.
-SOB
-tachypnea
-cyanosis
-possible pulmonary edema
define asthma
Inflammatory process resulting in the narrowing of air passage
Triggers and S/S of asthma
triggers:
- allergens
-emotional stress
-cold weather
-physical activity
S/S:
- wheezing on exhale
- recurring dyspnea
-chest tightness
-sputum
-cough
-chest tightening
-tingling (fingers)
2 asthma managements
inhaled cortcosteriods (treats inflammation/long term control & prevention
Bronchodialators- rescue, immediate control (inhalers)
Define pneumonia and causes (2)
Term to describe a group of illness charachterized by lung infection and fluid filled aveoli that results in hypoxia.
causes:
bacteria/virus
irritants (smoke/aspirated materials)
S/S of pneumonia (11)
dyspnea
rapid breathing
chest pain
couth with sputum
fever
chills
nausea
tiredness
vomitting
muscle aches
headache
Define acute pulmonary edema and causes (2)
Build up of fluid in the lungs
-heart damage
-lung damage
S/S of acute pulmonary edema
SOB
cyanosis
rapid breathing
restlessness/anxiety
exhaustion
tachycardia
cool, clammy skin
frothy sputum
Define pulmonary embolism and causes (5)
Blockage of a pulmonary artery that has travelled from another part of the circulatory system
causes:
- thrombus from a vien in lower extremity
-fat
-air
-tumor tissue
-amniotic fluid
S/S of pulmonary embolism (10)
SOB
cough
JVD
pain
anxiety
synscope (fainting)
hypotension
cool, clammy skin
tachycardia
fever
define JVD
result from a blockage there is a back flow of blood resulting in JVD
