Respiratory Arrest Flashcards
Resp arrest
What is it characterised by?
the cessation of effective, spontaneous ventilation
Resp arrest
Name some factors that can trigger it?
- Severe asthma or COPD exacerbation
- Pneumonia or other serious respiratory infections
- Overdose of opioids, benzodiazepines or other respiratory depressants
- Severe metabolic disorders
- Trauma
- Stroke or other severe neurological disorders
- Cardiac arrest
Resp arrest
The diagnosis of respiratory arrest is a clinical one, based on the absence of ____ and the presence of ____, ____, and ____.
spontaneous ventilation
cyanosis, altered consciousness, absent breath sounds
Resp arrest
Name some Ddx
5
- Acute severe asthma or COPD exacerbation
- Pneumonia or other severe respiratory infections
- Stroke or other severe neurological disorders
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Drug overdose or poisoning
Resp arrest
What investigations might we do?
5
- ABG
- Blood tests
- Imaging
- ECG
- Capnography
Resp arrest
What do we use an ABG to assess for?
shows the extent of hypoxia and hypercapnia.
Resp arrest
What parameters are we looking for in the bloods?
full blood count, biochemistry, toxicology screen, troponin.
Resp arrest
What are we looking for in a cxr?
pneumonia, pulmonary oedema, and pneumothorax.
Resp arrest
What are we looking for in an ecg
identify arrhythmias, myocardial infarction.
Resp arrest
What do we use a capnography for?
can be used to confirm adequate ventilation and endotracheal tube placement during resuscitation.
Resp arrest
How do we manage it in a cardiac arrest is present?
- Call for help
- ABCDE approach
- Chest compressions and ventilate (if cardiac arrest is present)
- Maintain the airway (consider intubation)
- Ventilate (bag-valve-mask device + high-flow oxygen)
- Try correct the cause
- Post-Resuscitation Care
Resp arrest
How do we manage it in a pulse is present?
- Call for help
- ABCDE approach
- 5 initial rescue breaths before reassessing
- Maintain the airway (consider intubation)
- Ventilate (bag-valve-mask device + high-flow oxygen)
- Try correct the cause
- Post-Resuscitation Care
Resp arrest
What does post resusitation care involve?
- ICU
- Investigations to identify the cause of the arrest and treat accordingly.
- Ongoing ventilatory support
- Consideration of therapeutic hypothermia
Resp
How might we try and prevent it in pt of high risk?
- control of chronic resp conditions
- careful use of analgesics and sedatives
- close monitoring of at-risk patients
