Module 11: respiratory emergencies Flashcards
Inhaled air contains __% oxygen and exhaled oxygen air ____% oxygen
21, 16
How much oxygen does the body use?
5%
What would happen in the right side of the heart failed and can no longer effectively pump blood?
Fluid buildup, also known as edema
What would happen in the left side of the heart failed and can no longer effectively pump blood?
Fluid would begin to accumulate in the alveoli, also known as acute pulmonary edema, or APE
What disease is APE usually the result of? What sort of lung sounds can be heard?
congestive heart failure
Crackles (RALES)
Name the two disease components of COPD and the impact of this disease
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Impact is dilation/disruption of bronchioles and alveoli
What is emphysema?
loss of elasticity around air spaces
causes include inflamed airways, smoking
type of COPD
When a patient experiences a worsening of their chronic condition, it is called
exacerbation
What is asthma?
acute spasm of smaller air passages (bronchioconstriction and vasodilation)
Albuterol may be used any time the pt is experiencing ___ causing ___
dyspnea, bronchoconstriction
Can epinephrine be used during a critical asthma attack?
Yes, if OLMC is contacted
What is a hemothorax?
when blood enters the pleural space
What is a pleural effusion?
When other fluids enter pleural space (NOT blood)
What is the most common cause of a pulmonary embolism?
blood clot in the legs
What are the symptoms of pulmonary embolism?
SOB, increased work breathing, and signs of hypoxia like low SpO2 levels despite administering oxygen
Name the symptoms of CO poisoning?
headaches and nausea, LOC, seizures, and coma
Are pulse oximeters helpful when determing CO poisoning?
No, they cannot differentiate between O2 and CO
What is respiratory splinting?
Pain to pt, with SOB after a broken rib
When three or more ribs are broken, it is called__ and results in
a flail segment, a paradoxical movement of chest wall
Name what should be looked for during the physical exam for patients experiencing respiratory distress
conjunctiva, cyanosis, jugular vein distention, tracheal deviation, ascites, pedal edema, and clubbing
What patients benefit from humidifed oxygen?
burn pts, and pediatric pts
What position might children assume when experiencing respiratory distress?
sniffing position
What sounds does croup produce? What sort of swelling does it create?
stridor (NOT wheezing) pharyngeal
How might croup be treated?
Humidified oxygen
What is epiglottitis? Name a unique symtpom
bacterial infection causing swelling of flap over larynx. Drooling
What is bronchiolitis? Is there bronchioconstriction?
caused by RSV, most common in children. The bronchioles are swollen, but bronchiodilators like albuterol are still helpful.
How should an EMT suspect pneumonia?
fever, cough, difficulty breathing. Variety of lung sounds.
What is pertussis? What are the symptoms and treatment?
whooping cough, bacterial infection
prolongued coughing fit
watch for dehydration and suction
What is cystic fibrosis? How is it treated?
Thick mucous secretions
Treat w suction and oxygenate (possibly humidify)
Dyspnea is MOST accurately defined as:
complete cessation of respiratory effort
difficulty breathing
labored breathing with reduced tidal volume
a marked increase in exhalation phase
difficulty breathing
In a healthy individual, the brain stem stimulates breathing on the basis of:
decreased O2
Decreased CO2
Increased O2
Increased CO2
Increased CO2
A 24-year-old male patient is having a severe asthma attack. You are administering nebulizer albuterol however, he is worsening. You should:
- call OLMC to administer epinephrine
-call OLMC to administer addition albuterol
-call ALS and wait
- call OLMC to administer epinephrine
Which of the following abnormal breath sounds indicate swelling of the upper airway?
rhonchi
crackles
rales
stridor
stridor
A 19-year-old male patient states he “can’t catch his breath”. His vital signs are as follows: BP: 128/78; P: 98; RR: 24; SPo2 97%. You should:
administer oxygen via NRB
Acute pulmonary edema would MOST likely develop as the result of:
right sided heart failure
sever hyperventilation
an upper airway infection
left sided heart failure
left sided heart failure
The respiratory distress that accompanies emphysema is caused by:
-massive constriciton of bronchioles
-repeated exposure to cigarette smoke
-acute fluid accumulation in alveoli
-chronic stretching of alveolar walls
-chronic stretching of alveolar walls
