Chapter 16: Respiratory Emergencies

Question 1

List the signs of normal breathing

Answer 1

• A normal rate
  
  • Adult 12 - 20 breathe per minute
  • Child 15 - 30 breaths per minute
  • Infant 30 to 60 breaths per minute
• A regular pattern of inhale and exhale
• Clear and equal breath sounds on both sides of the chest
• Regular and equal chest rise and fall
• adequate depth (tidal volume)
• Unlabored; without adventious (abnormal) breathe sounds (wheezing, stridor)

Question 2

List the signs of inadequate breathing

Answer 2

• reports difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• altered mental status associated with shallow or slow breathing
• adult patient appears anxious or restless
• pede patient appears sleepy or listless
• the respiratory rate is too fast or too slow
  
  • Adult 12 - 20 breathe per minute
  • Child 15 - 30 breaths per minute
  • Infant 30 to 60 breaths per minute
• The breathing rhythm is irregular
• the skin is pale, cool, clammy or cyanotic
• breath sounds including wheezin, gurgling, snoring, crowin, or stridor
• decreased or noisy breath sounds are heard on one or both sides
• 2 -3 word dyspnea
• accesory muscle use
• unequal chest expansion
• excessive coughing
• tripod position
• pursed lips or nasal flaring

Question 3

What is a normal respiratory rate for adults, children and infants?

Answer 3

• Adult 12 - 20 breathe per minute
  
  • Child 15 - 30 breaths per minute
  • Infant 30 to 60 breaths per minute

Question 4

What is the adult dose of Epinephrine?

Answer 4

.3mg, intramuscular injection

Question 5

What is the child dose of epinephrine?

Answer 5

.15mg, intramuscular injection

Question 6

How often should you repeat the administration of epinephrine if symptoms persist?

Answer 6

Repeat every 5 minutes if symptoms persist

Question 7

What is the common term for Uticaria?

Answer 7

Hives

Question 8

What might we more commonly know beta 2 specific as?

Answer 8

Albuterol

Question 9

What is the adult dose of albuterol?

Answer 9

1 -2 inhalations: may repeat every 5 minutes

Question 10

How long does it take for albuterol to be absorbed into the lungs?

Answer 10

10 seconds, thats why we have patients hold it for 10 seconds on inhale