First Aid For Respiratory System Flashcards
What is epistaxis?
Nasal haemorrhage
Common causes of nasal haemorrhage?
Trauma/fractures
Tumours
Foreign bodies
Disease
Clinical signs of epistaxis?
Nasal bleeding, stertorous breathing, open mouth breathing, sneezing.
What are some potential complications that can occur from epistaxis?
Dyspnoea
Aspiration of blood into lungs
Swallowing blood - vomiting blood
Shock
Anaemia
What are the 3 main injuries that can occur to the larynx/trachea?
Wounds
Strangulation
Foreign body
What are the signs of injury to the trachea/larynx?
Swelling/pain
Harsh, noisy breathing/dyspnoea
Haemorrhage
Hissing or ballooning
What is the treatment for injuries to the larynx/trachea?
- Maintain airway
- Give oxygen
- Control haemorrhage
- Carefully clean wounds & apply suitable dressing
What is pneumothorax?
Presence of air in the pleural cavity.
What are some causes of pneumothorax?
Fractured rib
Severe bites
Gunshot wounds
Traumatic injuries
What are the clinical sings of pneumothorax?
Dyspnoea
Rapid shallow breathing
Gasping for air
Cyanosis
Asphyxia
What is an open pneumothorax?
Occurs when a wound penetrated the pleural cavity.
What is a closed pneumothorax?
Occurs when there is no wound.
What is haemothorax?
Occurs when the is accumulation of blood into lungs the pleural cavity.
Prevents lung tissue expanding.
What is hypoxia?
Decreased concentration of oxygen at the level of this tissue or cell.
What is hypoxemia?
Low concentrations of oxygen in arterial blood.
Clinical signs of hypoxaemia?
Tachypnoea
Tachycardia
Cyanosis
Cardiac arrhythmias
Anxiety
What are some types of oxygen administration?
Face mask *
Flow-by *
Nasal insufflation
Transtracheal administration
Oxygen canopy
Oxygen cage *
Ventilator / IPPV *
Tracheostomy
