T3: Unstable Respiratory Conditions Flashcards
status asthmaticus
a severe, life-threatening asthma attack that is refractory to usual treatment and places the patient at risk for developing respiratory failure.
Severe and life-threatening exacerbations of asthma
*Respiratory rate >30/min
*Dyspnea at rest, feeling of suffocation
*Pulse >120/min
*PEFR is 40% at best
*Usually seen in ED or hospitalized
Life-threatening asthma
*Too dyspneic to speak
*Perspiring profusely
*Drowsy/confused
*PEFR <25%
*Require hospital care and often admitted to ICU
HINT HINT Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)
measured by the peak flow meter (at home or in a health care setting) is an aid to diagnose and monitor asthma
clinical manifestations of asthma/status asthmaticus
*Recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, cough, and tight chest
*May be abrupt or gradual
*use of accessory mucles
diaphoresis
cyanosis
triggers of asthma/status asthmaticus
allergens, exercise, URI, foods, emotions, NSAIDS, Beta Blockers, ACEI
early vs late phase in asthma/status asthmaticus
*Early Phase-initial inflammatory response
*Late Phase-4-6 hours after initial attack, occurs in 50% of patients and last longer than 24 hours
Nasal cannula flow rate
1-6 L/min
Simple mask flow rate
5-10 L/min (add humidity)
nonrebreather mask flow rate
10-15 L/min
Venturi mask
A face mask and reservoir bag device that delivers specific concentrations of oxygen by mixing oxygen with inhaled air.
how do we determine the size of the ET tube for a patient
look at the size of their pinky
red zone of asthma plan
the red zone means you are experiencing severe asthma symptoms or an asthma flare-up. Follow the steps in your asthma action plan and get immediate medical treatment if your symptoms do not improve.
Assessment during acute exacerbation of asthma
*Respiratory and heart rate, Use of accessory muscles
*Percussion and auscultation of lungs
*PEFR to monitor airflow obstruction
*ABGs & Pulse oximetry
For any classification of asthma, in a “rescue plan” patients are instructed to take…
*2 to 4 puffs of albuterol every 20 minutes 3 times to gain rapid control of symptoms.
plan of care for status asthmaticus
-O2 given via nasal cannula or mask to achieve a PaO2 of at least 60 mm Hg or O2 saturation greater than 90%
*Continuous oxygen monitoring with pulse oximetry
*Bronchodilator treatment (SABA)
-tripod positon to maximize the diaphragmatic movement
silent chest
*Severely diminished breath sounds
*Absence of wheeze after patient has been wheezing, breathing
emergency priory bc air is not moving in lungs
interventions for silent chest
*Requires ED and possible ICU
*IV magnesium sulfate
*100% oxygen
*Hourly or continuous nebulized SABA
*IV corticosteroids
IV magnesium sulfate use
person has depleted magnesium supply so you need to replenish it for the muscles