Chapter 13 - Respiratory Emergencies

Question 1

What is Dyspnea?

Answer 1

Difficult or labored breathing accompanied by feeling short of breath.

Question 2

What is diffusion?

Answer 2

A passive process where a substance move from an area of high concentration to one of lower concentration.

Question 3

In terms of percentage, what is the chemical make-up of air?

Answer 3

78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
1% other gasses

Question 4

What effect does carbon dioxide have on the blood?

Answer 4

Lowers pH

Question 5

What is the primary muscle of respiration?

Answer 5

Diaphragm

Question 6

What are he main accessory muscles of respiration?

Answer 6

Pectoralis major and minor
intercostal muscles
SCM (sternocleidomastoid)
Scalenes
Trapezius
Abdominal muscles

Question 7

In what structure does the oxygen/CO2 exchange occur?

Answer 7

Alveoli

Question 8

What is the pleural space?

Answer 8

The “potential” space between the plera and the chest wall.

Question 9

What is the pleura?

Answer 9

The thin membrane covering the outside of the lungs and inside of the chest wall.

Question 10

Define airway patency.

Answer 10

A condition in which an airway is open and unobstructed.

Question 11

What does COPD stand for?

Answer 11

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Question 12

S/S of COPD?

Answer 12

Patient can not exhale adequate air
Increased mucus production
Persistent Productive Cough

Question 13

S/S of Asthma?

Answer 13

Sudden, recurrent bronchiolar constriction

Increased mucous production

Question 14

What does Hyperventilation cause to occur in the blood?

Answer 14

Low carbon dioxide levels.

Question 15

What is DVT?

Answer 15

Deep venous thrombosis which are clots that form in the legs or pelvis and travel through the heart and into the pulmonary circulation.

Question 16

What is a pulmonary embolism?

Answer 16

When an embolus travels to the pulmonary artery or branch completely or partially blocking it.

Question 17

What is anoxia?

Answer 17

Lack of an oxygen supply

Question 18

WHat is a pneumothorax?

Answer 18

An abnormal collection of air within the pleural space.

Question 19

What is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction?

Answer 19

The tongue.

Question 20

What is wheezing?

Answer 20

a high-pitched respiratory sound caused by a narrowing of the tubular airways.

Question 21

What is bradypnea?

Answer 21

a decreased respiration rate of less than 10rpm in adults.

Question 22

What is crepitus?

Answer 22

“crackling” feel of the skin indicating air under the skin.

Question 23

Describe how to assess lung sounds.

Answer 23

1. upper lobes - anterior: 1.5” below the mid-clavicle - Left than Right
2. Lower lobes - anterior: at or below the nipple line and over the anterior midaxillary line - Left than Right
3. Upper lobes - posterior: between the top of the scapula and spine 2” below the neck - Right than Left
4. Lower lobes - posterior: below the bottom of the scapula - Right than Left

Question 24

What is the hallmark of respiratory-related emergencies?

Answer 24

dyspnea

Question 25

What respiratory rate(s) indicate impending respiratory failure?

Answer 25

less than 6-8 or greater than 30 in an adult.

Question 26

Describe how to assist a patient with a metered-dose inhaler.

Answer 26

1. PPE / Standard Precautions
2. Obtain premission
3. Verify the med is thiers, correct dose, and in date.
4. Shake, remove cap, apply spacer if there is one
5. Help patient by holding the device to thier mouth
6. encourage a deep breath and assist by depressing the top. Instruct them to hold thier breath for 10 seconds.
7. Repeat once if no improvement in 30-60 seconds according to the lable.