respiratory assessments

Question 1

when completing a respiratory assessment what signs should you look out for

Answer 1

Jaundice
• Anaemia
• Clubbing
• Cyanosis
• Oedema
• Lymphadenopathy
• Anatomy changes
• Pink puffers or 
blue bloater

Question 2

what can white sputum show

Answer 2

congestion

Question 3

what can yellow sputum show

Answer 3

cold or infection in progress

Question 4

what does green sputum show

Answer 4

immune system is fighting back

Question 5

what does pink or red sputum show

Answer 5

blood

Question 6

what does brown sputum show

Answer 6

this could be blood

Question 7

what can black sputum show

Answer 7

serious fungal infection

Question 8

when is the onset of asthma

Answer 8

usually suddenly

Question 9

during a physical assessment what are the signs of asthma

Answer 9

prolonged expiration and wheezing

absence of wheezing may mean minimal air flow and inadequate breathing

Question 10

when does a exacerbation of copd usually occur

Answer 10

often occur gradually or in conduction of an acute respiratory infection

Question 11

what are the sings of a pneumothorax in a physical passement

Answer 11

absent lung sounds finding unilaterally

Question 12

how to do an respiratory assessment ( the acrynom)

Answer 12

Flaps

feel 
look 
auscultation 
percussion 
search back and sides

Question 13

what are life threatening injuries

Answer 13

Tension Pneumothorax
 Open Pneumothorax
 Massive Haemathorax
 Flail Chest
 Cardiac Tamponade

Question 14

what are the potentially life threatening chest injuries

Answer 14

R Rib Fractures 
O Oesophageal tear
A Aortic rupture
D Diaphragmatic rupture
C Cardiac contusion
H Haemothorax
A Airway disruption (Larynx/Tracheal/Bronchial)
P Pulmonary contusion
S Simple pneumothorax

Question 15

what are the risks of a closed thoracic truma

Answer 15

▪The skin is not broken in closed 
chest injuries.
▪There may be damage to internal 
organs.
▪Air does not have access through 
the chest wall

Question 16

what are the risks to a open thoracic truma

Answer 16

Foreign objects can penetrate the 
chest wall from outside the body.
Broken ribs can penetrate the 
chest wall from inside the body.
Air can enter the chest cavity in 
open chest injuries.

Question 17

what is a pneumothorax

Answer 17

air or gas gets in the pleural space without any outside wounds

results in an increase airway pressure and ruptured alveoli

Question 18

what can lead to an open pneumothorax

Answer 18

Usually the result of penetrating trauma
 Gunshot wounds
 Knife wounds
 Impaled objects
 Motor vehicle collisions
 Falls

Question 19

what is a flail chest

Answer 19

•Defined as 2 or more ribs 
fractured in 2 or more places.
•A part of the rib cage 
detached from the main part.
• Reduce the effectiveness of 
ventilation.

Question 20

what is a cardiac tamponade

Answer 20

Bleeding into the pericardial space.
This causes reduction in ventricular
filling.

Question 21

what is a diaphragmatic rupture

Answer 21

Allow intra-abdominal
organs to enter the thoracic
cavity, which may cause:

Question 22

what can diaphragmatic rupture cause

Answer 22

Compression of the lung with 
reduced ventilation
• Decreased venous return
• Decreased cardiac output
• Shock

Question 23

how do you mange a gunshot wound

Answer 23

Ensure you assess for entry and exit wounds (may not be an exact straight
line)
Same principle for electric burns
Ensure management of A B C D E and chest seal sucking wounds

Question 24

what can cause a traumatic asphyxia

Answer 24

A severe crushing injury to the chest and abdomen
 Steering wheel injury
 Conveyor belt injury
 Compression of the chest under a heavy object

Question 25

what is a traumatic asphyxia

Answer 25

A sudden compressional force 
squeezes the chest.
An increase in intrathoracic pressure 
forces blood from the right side of the 
heart into the veins of the upper 
thorax, neck, and face.
Jugular veins engorge and capillaries 
rupture.

Question 26

how do you mange a traumatic asphyxia

Answer 26

Assess primary survey and ALS if required.
If pulses present
Airway and ventilation
• Ensure an open airway.
• Provide adequate ventilation.
Circulation
• IV access.
• Expect hypotension and shock once the compression is 
released (timings dependent).
Transport considerations
• Appropriate mode.
• Appropriate facility.