Chapter 13: Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing is known as:
dyspnea
Remember, the sensation of not getting enough air can be terrifying, regardless of its cause. As an EMT, you should be prepared to treat not just the symptoms and the underlying problem, but also:
the anxiety it produces
Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) often take several medications. In addition to obtaining a list of those medications, be sure to pay special attention to:
the events that lead up to the present problem
t is important to establish your patient’s baseline status; in other words, his or her usual condition and:
what is different
Which of the following would not be a proper intervention for a respiratory problem?
a. positive pressure ventilations
b. positioning the patient in a high Fowler’s position
c. positioning the patient in a position of comfort
d. oxygen via non-breathing mask at 24 L/min or higher
d. oxygen via non-breathing mask at 24 L/min or higher
If the patient’s condition is stable and no life threats exist, vital signs should be obtained at least every:
15 minutes
What is the first step listed to help a patient self-administer medication from an inhaler?
obtain an order from medical control or local protocol
Like most dyspnea patients, those with spontaneous pneumothorax are usually more comfortable
sitting up
Because a considerable amount of lung tissue may not be functioning, what is the mandatory care for a patient with pulmonary embolism?
giving supplemental oxygen
Which of the following may indicate difficulty breathing?
a. a respiratory rate between 12 and 20 breaths/min
b. regular and equal chest rise and fall
c. the patient sitting in a tripod position
d. a pulse oximetry reading of 96%
c. the patient sitting in a tripod position
Which of the following respiratory conditions is seen primarily in pediatric patients?
a. asthma
b. croup
c. emphysema
d. bronchitis
b. croup
When wheezing is heard on auscultation of breath sounds, which of the following conditions may be present?
a. asthma
b. pneumonia
c. bronchitis
d. all of the above
d. all of the above
principal function of the lungs is
respiration
2 processes of respiration
inspiration and expiration
____ monitors the level of CO2 in arterial blood
brain stem
proper _____ can be hindered by:
- abnormalities in the anatomy of the airway
- disease - COPD
- trauma
- pulmonary vessel abnormalities
exchange of oxygen and CO2
____ is alveolar sac collapse
atelectasis
how can you differentiate pleuritic chest pain from cardiac ischemic chest pain
pleuritic chest pain can be reproduced by taking a breath
_______ is the buildup of fluid within the alveoli and in the lung tissue
acute pulmonary edema
acute pulmonary edema often results from
CHF
in severe cases of acute pulmonary edema there is
pink frothy sputum
acute pulmonary edema is accompanied by ___/____ respirations
rapid shallow
wet lungs are associated with
acute pulmonary edema
dry lugs are associated with
COPD
_____ is a slow process of dilation and disruption of airways and alveoli
COPD
COPD is caused by chronic ______
bronchial obstruction
___ is a type of COPD in which lungs lose elastic material
emphysema
most patients with COPD have elements of ____ and ____
chronic bronchitis and emphysema
asthma is a _____ disease
reactive airway disease
asthma is the acute spasm of the
bronchioles
asthma produces excessive
mucus
wheezing associated with asthma is caused by
partially obstructed airways
with ______ there is airway swelling, dilation of BV, and BP can DEC
anaphylactic reactions
spontaneous pneumothorax is the partial or total accumulation of ____ in the pleural space
air
spontaneous pneumothorax is usually caused by
trauma
____ are at an INC risk of a spontaneous pneumothorax
tall, thin, males
with a spontaneous pneumothorax the patient becomes dyspneic and might have ____ they can point to
pleuritic chest pain
____ is the buildup of fluid OUTSIDE the lung
pleural effusion
with a pleural effusion the ____ is compressed which causes dyspnea
lung
with pleural effusion patients feel better when
sitting up
____ are a disruption in the electrical activity of the brain
seizures
______ is the sudden loss of consciousness
tonic-clonic seizure
____ is continuous seizures
epilipticus
prolonged seizures are a threat to the airway because the _____ interfere with the chests ability to expand
constant muscle contractions
a pulmonary embolism is the passage of ____ through the venous system
blood clots
signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include: dyspnea, ______, ______ (coughing up blood)
dyspnea, acute/sudden chest pain, hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
hyperventilation is over-breathing, CO2 ____
DEC CO2
_____ is the buildup of excess acid
acidosis
____ is the buildup of excess base
alkalosis
with hyperventilation instruct the patient to ____ and give ____
slow breathing and give oxygen
these are all ____ for the use of an MDI:
- patient unable to coordinate inhalation
- you did not obtain permission from medical control
- patient already met max prescribed dose
- medication is expired
contraindications
with partial airway obstruction ____ and ____
give supplemental oxygen and transport
with complete airway obstruction _____ and _____
clear obstruction and administer oxygen
risks for CHF include: _____ and a history of ____
hypertension and a history of coronary artery disease
____ are low pitched breath sounds from mucus in the airway
ronchi
