Respiratory Emergencies

Question 1

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URI)

Answer 1

• is an infection of any of the structures of the upper airway, such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, or tonsillitis.
• DD: Meningitis, sinusitis, pneumonia.
• Treatment:
  
  • Position of comfort
  • 02 (94% - 99%)
  • IV, Cardiac monitor, 12 lead, Sp02, ETCO2.

Question 2

Epiglottitis

Answer 2

• Infection of the supraglottic structures of the airway.
• Inflammation of the tongue, aryepiglottic folds, arytenoids, tonsils, epiglottis.
• S/S
  
  • Sniffing possition, unable to speak
  • Respiratory distress, drooling, pain on swallowing
  • Stridor
  • Fever, fast onset
• Treatment
  
  • O2, IV, Airway monitoring

Question 3

Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)

Answer 3

• Manifested by infections of the upper airway.
• Area below epiglottis becomes inflammed, swollen.
• S/s
  
  • Stridor, often children late at night
  • Viral
  • Barking cough
  • Fever (sometimes)
  • Steeple sign (swelling of cricoid ring)
• TX
  
  • O2, racemic epi considered
• CONSIDER
  
  • Pneumonia
  • Epiglottitis
  • Bronchiolitis
  • Foreign airway body aspiration

Question 4

Bacterial Tracheitis

Answer 4

• Bacterial infection
• S/s: Fever, chills, inspiratory stridor
  
  • Barking cough, hoarseness
• You think croup, give racemic epi, no response? It’s this.

Question 5

Peritonsillar Abscess

Answer 5

• Infection, pus filled absccess
• S/s
  
  • Difficulty swallowing, headache, malaise, neck pain “hot potato/dick in mouth voice”

Question 6

Bronchiolitis

Answer 6

• RSV
• Up to 2 years old, 80% less than 1.
• S/S
  
  • Wheezes, crackles, atelectasis, low grade fever, decreased appetite, fussy, dehydrated
• Treatment
  
  • O2, racemic epi if absolutely necessary