Respiratory arrest (A&E)

Question 1

Define respiratory arrest.

Answer 1

Complete cessation of breathing in patients with a pulse

Question 2

What are some extrapulmonary causes of respiratory arrest? (5)

Answer 2

• CNS depression (opioid intoxication)
• respiratory muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis, ALS)
• airway obstruction (aspiration)
• drowning
• trauma

Question 3

What are some pulmonary causes of respiratory arrest? (2)

Answer 3

• airway obstruction (bronchospasm in asthma/COPD)
• impaired alveolar diffusion (pulmonary oedema, pneumonia)

Question 4

What are the clinical features of respiratory arrest? (4)

Answer 4

• cyanosis
• tachycardia
• diaphoresis (excessive sweating)
• CNS impairment (altered mental status)

Question 5

What investigations do we do in respiratory arrest? (2)

Answer 5

• ABG
• pulse oximetry

Question 6

What do we see on ABG in respiratory arrest? (2)

Answer 6

• reduced O2
• increased CO2

Question 7

How do we manage respiratory arrest? (2)

Answer 7

• mechanical ventilation
• intubation

Question 8

What are some complications of respiratory arrest? (2)

Answer 8

• hypoxic organ damage
• cardiac arrest