Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards
Signs of normal breathing
12-20 resp for adult, 15-30 for children
regular pattern of inhalation/exhalation
clear and equal breath sounds on both sides
regular and equal chest rise
adequate depth(tidal vol)
unlabored, without abnormal sounds
Signs of Inadequate breathing
reports SOA
Signs/symptoms of asthma
wheezing on inspiration/expiration
bronchospasm
Signs/symptoms of anaphylaxis
flushed skin or hives
generalized edema
dec. BP
laryngeal edema with dyspnea
wheezing or stridor
Signs/symptoms of Bronchiolitis
SOA
wheezing
coughing
fever
dehydration
tachypnea
tachycardia
Signs/symptoms of bronchitis
chronic cough(w/sputum production)
wheezing
cyanosis
tachypnea
Signs/symptoms of CHF
dependent (lower extremity) edema
crackles (pulmonary edema)
orthopnea
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Signs/symptoms of common cold
cough
runny or stuffy nose
sore throat
Signs/symptoms of COVID-19
cough
fever
dyspnea
chest pain
anosmia (inability to smell)
Signs/symptoms of croup
fever
barking cough
stridor
mostly in children
Signs/symptoms of diphtheria
difficulty breathing and swallowing
sore throat
thick gray buildup in throat or nose
fever
Signs/symptoms of emphysema
barrel chest
pursed lip breathing
dyspnea on exertion
cyanosis
wheezing/dec. breath sounds
mostly in older patients
Signs/symptoms of Epiglottitis
dyspnea
high fever
stridor
drooling
difficulty swallowing
severe sore throat
tripod or sniffing position
mostly in children
Signs/symptoms of Influenza A
cough
fever
sore throat
fatigue
Signs/symptoms of Pertussis
coughing spells
whooping sound
fever
Signs/symptoms of Pneumonia
dyspnea
chills, fever
cough
green, red, or rust colored sputum
localized wheezing or crackles
Signs/symptoms of pneumothorax
sudden chest pain with dyspnea
dec. breath sounds (on affected side)
subcutaneous emphysema
Signs/symptoms of pulmonary embolus
Dyspnea
occasionally will have sharp chest pain
sudden onset
tachycardia
clear breath sounds initially
Signs/symptoms of tension pneumothorax
severe SOA
diminished or absent breath sounds on one side
Dec./altered level on consciousness
neck vein distention
tracheal deviation
hypotension, signs of shock
Signs/symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
cough
wheezing
fever
dehydration
Signs/symptoms of Tuberculosis (TB)
cough
fever
fatigue
productive/bloody sputum
What is hypoxia?
a condition in which the body’s cells and tissues are not getting enough oxygen
Signs/symptoms of COPD
chronic production of sputum, chronic cough, difficulty expelling air from lungs, may have lung sounds (bronchi, wheezing, crackles) and diminished lung sounds
What is asthma?
Acute spasm of smaller air passages (bronchioles), associated with excessive mucus production and swelling of the mucus membranes
What can cause asthma?
allergic reaction to foods or allergens or severe emotional distress, exercise, and respiratory infections
What is wheezing indicative of?
lower airway obstruction
What characterizes anaphylactic reactions and signs?
airway swelling, dilation of blood vessels all over body which may lower bp, widespread hives, itching, signs of shock
What do you treat anaphylaxis with?
epinephrine, oxygen therapy, and antihistamines
What is pneumothorax?
accumulation of air in pleural space
What is pleuritic chest pain?
a sharp stabbing pain on one side that is worse during inspiration and expiration or with certain movement of the chest wall.
what signs/symptoms may patient state in spontaneous pneumothorax?
dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain
Describe pleural effusion
Collection of fluid outside the lung(s). Compresses lung and causes dyspnea. Can stem from irritation, infection, congestive heart failure, or cancer
What is a pulmonary embolism?
a blood clot formed in a vein, usually legs or pelvis, the breaks off and circulates through the venous system. Can also come from the right atrium in a patient with Afib. It obstructs the pulmonary artery and prevents gas exchange in the lungs
Signs/symptoms of a pulmonary embolism
Dyspnea
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Varying degrees of hypoxia
Cyanosis
Acute chest pain
Hemoptysis(coughing up blood)
What is hyperventilation?
rapid breathing to the point that the level of arterial CO2 falls below normal
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
flu-like - headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea/vomiting.
may report dyspnea on exertion and chest pain
neurological - impaired judgment, confusion, hallucinations
How do you treat carbon monoxide poisoning
if conscious, NRB
if unconscious or altered LOC, airway adjunct and BVM
What is wheezing indicative of?
constriction and/or inflammation in the bronchus
What are crackles (rales)?
sounds of air trying to pass through fluid in alveoli. crackling or bubbling sound on inspiration
What is rhonchi?
low pitched rattling sounds caused by secretions or mucus in the larger airway
What is stridor?
high pitched sound heard on inspiration as air tries to pass though an obstruction in upper airway
What diseases are associated with wheezing?
asthma
COPD
CHF/pulmonary edema
pneumonia
bronchitis
anaphylaxis
What diseases are associated with rhonchi?
COPD
pneumonia
bronchitis
What diseases are associated with crackles?
CHF/pulmonary edema
pneumonia
What diseases are associated with stridor?
croup
epiglottitis
What diseases are associated with decreased or absent breath sounds?
asthma
COPD
pneumonia
hemothorax
pneumothorax
atelectasis
What are signs of COPD?
Patient older than 50 years of age
History of lung problems
Active or former cigarette smoker
Tightness in chest
Constant fatigue
Barrel-like appearance to chest
Use of accessory muscles
Abnormal breath sounds
State the contraindications for medications in respiratory patients
pt. is unable to help coordinate inhalation or too confused to effectively administer medication
MDI or nebulizer is not prescribed for this pt.
no permission from med control or under local protocols
pt has already taken max dose before your arrival
medication is expired
other contraindication specific to the medication
How to treat asthma?
Be prepared to suction.
Assist asthma patient with prescribed inhaler.
Provide aggressive airway management, oxygen, and prompt transport
How to treat anaphylaxis?
Remove the offending agent.
Maintain the airway
Transport rapidly.
Administer epinephrine.
Treatment of Specific Conditions
How to treat spontaneous pneumothorax?
Provide supplemental oxygen.
Transport promptly.
Monitor carefully
How to treat pleural effusion?
Fluid removal must be done in hospital.
Provide oxygen.
Transport promptly
How to treat obstruction of the airway?
Obstruction of airway
Partial obstruction:
Provide supplemental oxygen and transport.
Complete obstruction:
Clear obstruction and administer oxygen.
Transport rapidly to emergency department
How to treat hyperventilation?
Complete primary assessment and gather history.
Do not have patient breathe into paper bag.
Reassure the patient and provide supplemental oxygen.
transport promptly.
How to treat environmental/industrial exposure?
Ensure patients are decontaminated.
Treat with oxygen, adjuncts, and suction based on presentation
How to treat foreign body aspiration?
Clear the airway.
Provide oxygen and transport
How to treat tracheostomy dysfunction?
Position comfortably.
Suction to clear the obstruction.
Provide oxygen
How to treat asthma?
Provide blow-by oxygen.
Use MDI
What are Kussmaul respirations
deep, rapid breaths often seen in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, not with trauma or head injury
What are Cheyne-Stokes Respirations?
irregular breathing pattern often seen in patients with head injuries or strokes. This pattern is characterized by cycles of increasing rate and depth of breathing followed by periods of apnea.
Name the formula for minute volume
Minute volume = Tidal volume x Respiratory Rate
What does paradoxical movement of the chest mean?
One side of the chest rises while the other does not. AKA flail segment/flail chest
