M - 12 - Respiratory Distress - Adult

Question 1

_______ is a tool utilized to determine the cause of dyspnea (asthma/COPD versus CHF).

Answer 1

End-tidal CO2:

• bronchospastic waveform is found found in Asthma/COPD
• normal waveform found in CHF

Question 2

For bronchospasm, adults are administered _______ and _______ in a nebulized form.

Answer 2

• 6 mg albuterol

- 1 mg ipratropium

Question 3

Bronchospastic adults may receive what medication after Duo-Neb?

Answer 3

125 mg IV Solmedrol or 60 mg PO Prednisone

• Steroids take a long time to act (appx. 4-6 hours), but act to counteract the inflammatory process associated with allergy/asthma.

Question 4

In the adult respiratory patient for whom Duo-Neb and steroids are not improving their condition, __________ may be administered.

Answer 4

2 gm Magnesium IV/15 minutes

Question 5

_______ may be administered to adult dyspnea patients for whom Duo-Neb, steroids, and magnesium has been unsuccessful.

Answer 5

0.3 mg 1:1,000 epinephrine IM

Question 6

Magnesium for geriatric adult respiratory distress.

Answer 6

1 gm

Question 7

Magnesium for non-geriatric adult respiratory distress.

Answer 7

2 gm

Question 8

By what mechanism does CPAP assist in pneumonia?

Answer 8

There may be pulmonary edema 2/2 inflammation and the infectious process. CPAP acts to maintain alveolar opening as it would in CHF/pulmonary edema.

Question 9

What are the S/S of suspected pulmonary edema?

Answer 9

• rhales
• JVD
• peripheral edema

Question 10

CPAP may be administered in adult dyspnea patients if the SBP is over _____.

Answer 10

90 mmHg

Question 11

SL or topical NTG may be given to adult dyspnea patients if you suspect their dyspnea is related to ______.

Answer 11

CHF/pneumonia

Question 12

In the case of Mg2+ administration in dyspnea, what common side effects may require cessation of magnesium?

Answer 12

• heart block

- hypotension