Chapter 13: Respiratory Emergencies

Question 1

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing is known as:

Answer 1

dyspnea

Question 2

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:

Answer 2

the anxiety it produces

Question 3

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:

Answer 3

the events that lead up to the present problem

Question 4

t is important to establish your patient’s baseline status; in other words, his or her usual condition and:

Answer 4

what is different

Question 5

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

Answer 5

d. oxygen via non-breathing mask at 24 L/min or higher

Question 6

If the patient’s condition is stable and no life threats exist, vital signs should be obtained at least every:

Answer 6

15 minutes

Question 7

What is the first step listed to help a patient self-administer medication from an inhaler?

Answer 7

obtain an order from medical control or local protocol

Question 8

Like most dyspnea patients, those with spontaneous pneumothorax are usually more comfortable

Answer 8

sitting up

Question 9

Because a considerable amount of lung tissue may not be functioning, what is the mandatory care for a patient with pulmonary embolism?

Answer 9

giving supplemental oxygen

Question 10

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%

Answer 10

c. the patient sitting in a tripod position

Question 11

Which of the following respiratory conditions is seen primarily in pediatric patients?

a. asthma
b. croup
c. emphysema
d. bronchitis

Answer 11

b. croup

Question 12

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

Answer 12

d. all of the above

Question 13

principal function of the lungs is

Answer 13

respiration

Question 14

2 processes of respiration

Answer 14

inspiration and expiration

Question 15

____ monitors the level of CO2 in arterial blood

Answer 15

brain stem

Question 16

proper _____ can be hindered by:

1. abnormalities in the anatomy of the airway
2. disease - COPD
3. trauma
4. pulmonary vessel abnormalities

Answer 16

exchange of oxygen and CO2

Question 17

____ is alveolar sac collapse

Answer 17

atelectasis

Question 18

how can you differentiate pleuritic chest pain from cardiac ischemic chest pain

Answer 18

pleuritic chest pain can be reproduced by taking a breath

Question 19

_______ is the buildup of fluid within the alveoli and in the lung tissue

Answer 19

acute pulmonary edema

Question 20

acute pulmonary edema often results from

Answer 20

CHF

Question 21

in severe cases of acute pulmonary edema there is

Answer 21

pink frothy sputum

Question 22

acute pulmonary edema is accompanied by ___/____ respirations

Answer 22

rapid shallow

Question 23

wet lungs are associated with

Answer 23

acute pulmonary edema

Question 24

dry lugs are associated with

Answer 24

COPD

Question 25

_____ is a slow process of dilation and disruption of airways and alveoli

Answer 25

COPD

Question 26

COPD is caused by chronic ______

Answer 26

bronchial obstruction

Question 27

___ is a type of COPD in which lungs lose elastic material

Answer 27

emphysema

Question 28

most patients with COPD have elements of ____ and ____

Answer 28

chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Question 29

asthma is a _____ disease

Answer 29

reactive airway disease

Question 30

asthma is the acute spasm of the

Answer 30

bronchioles

Question 31

asthma produces excessive

Answer 31

mucus

Question 32

wheezing associated with asthma is caused by

Answer 32

partially obstructed airways

Question 33

with ______ there is airway swelling, dilation of BV, and BP can DEC

Answer 33

anaphylactic reactions

Question 34

spontaneous pneumothorax is the partial or total accumulation of ____ in the pleural space

Answer 34

air

Question 35

spontaneous pneumothorax is usually caused by

Answer 35

trauma

Question 36

____ are at an INC risk of a spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 36

tall, thin, males

Question 37

with a spontaneous pneumothorax the patient becomes dyspneic and might have ____ they can point to

Answer 37

pleuritic chest pain

Question 38

____ is the buildup of fluid OUTSIDE the lung

Answer 38

pleural effusion

Question 39

with a pleural effusion the ____ is compressed which causes dyspnea

Answer 39

lung

Question 40

with pleural effusion patients feel better when

Answer 40

sitting up

Question 41

____ are a disruption in the electrical activity of the brain

Answer 41

seizures

Question 42

______ is the sudden loss of consciousness

Answer 42

tonic-clonic seizure

Question 43

____ is continuous seizures

Answer 43

epilipticus

Question 44

prolonged seizures are a threat to the airway because the _____ interfere with the chests ability to expand

Answer 44

constant muscle contractions

Question 45

a pulmonary embolism is the passage of ____ through the venous system

Answer 45

blood clots

Question 46

signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include: dyspnea, ______, ______ (coughing up blood)

Answer 46

dyspnea, acute/sudden chest pain, hemoptysis (coughing up blood)

Question 47

hyperventilation is over-breathing, CO2 ____

Answer 47

DEC CO2

Question 48

_____ is the buildup of excess acid

Answer 48

acidosis

Question 49

____ is the buildup of excess base

Answer 49

alkalosis

Question 50

with hyperventilation instruct the patient to ____ and give ____

Answer 50

slow breathing and give oxygen

Question 51

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

Answer 51

contraindications

Question 52

with partial airway obstruction ____ and ____

Answer 52

give supplemental oxygen and transport

Question 53

with complete airway obstruction _____ and _____

Answer 53

clear obstruction and administer oxygen

Question 54

risks for CHF include: _____ and a history of ____

Answer 54

hypertension and a history of coronary artery disease

Question 55

____ are low pitched breath sounds from mucus in the airway

Answer 55

ronchi