15 Respiratory Emergencies

Question 1

Signs of Normal Breathing

Answer 1

normal rate @ 12-20 breaths per minute
regular pattern of inhalation/exhalation
clear and equal breath sounds
unlabored without stridor or wheezing

Question 2

Key signs and symptoms of asthma

Answer 2

wheezing

bronchospasm

Question 3

Key signs and symptoms of Anaphylaxis

Answer 3

flushed skin or hives
hypotension
generalized and laryngeal edema
wheezing and/or stridor

Question 4

Key signs and symptoms of Bronchiolitis

Answer 4

SOB, wheezing, coughing, fever, dehydration, tachypnea, tachycardia

Question 5

Key signs and symptoms of Bronchitis

Answer 5

chronic productive cough
cyanosis
tachypnea
wheezing

Question 6

Key signs and symptoms of CHF

Answer 6

leg swelling
crackles
orthopnea
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Question 7

Key signs and symptoms of Common Cold

Answer 7

cough
runny nose
sore throat

Question 8

Key signs and symptoms of Croup

Answer 8

fever
barking cough
stridor
prominent in pediatric cases

Question 9

Key signs and symptoms of Diphtheria

Answer 9

difficulty breathing and swallowing
sore throat
thick gray buildup in throat
fever

Question 10

Key signs and symptoms of Emphysema

Answer 10

barrel chest
pursed lip breathing 
dyspnea on exertion 
cyanosis 
wheezing

Question 11

Key signs and symptoms of Epiglottitis

Answer 11

high fever
drooling
severe sore throat 
tripod or sniffing position 
stridor 
dyspnea

Question 12

Key signs and symptoms of Pertussis aka Whooping Cough

Answer 12

coughing spells
“whooping” sound
fever

Question 13

Key signs and symptoms of Pneumonia

Answer 13

chills and fever
cough with green or red sputum
localized wheezing
dyspnea

Question 14

Key signs and symptoms of Pneumothorax

Answer 14

sudden chest pain with dyspnea
decreased breath sounds on affected side
subcutaneous emphysema

Question 15

Key signs and symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism

Answer 15

sharp chest pain
sudden onset
tachycardia
clear breath sounds initially

Question 16

Key signs and symptoms of Tension Pneumothorax

Answer 16

severe SOB
ALOC
JVD
late sign –> tracheal deviation and hypotension

Question 17

acidosis

Answer 17

buildup of excess acid in blood or tissues

Question 18

adventitious breath sounds

Answer 18

abnormal breath sounds

Question 19

alkalosis

Answer 19

buildup of excess base in the body fluids

Question 20

atelectasis

Answer 20

collapse of alveolar air spaces

Question 21

carbon dioxide retention

Answer 21

chronically high blood level of CO2 where the respiratory center no longer responds to the high levels of CO2

Question 22

COPD

Answer 22

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease i.e. slow process of dilation and disruption of airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction

Question 23

diphtheria

Answer 23

infectious disease where a membrane forms, lining the pharynx that can obstruct passage of air into the larynx

Question 24

dyspnea

Answer 24

SOB or difficulty breathing

Question 25

emphysema

Answer 25

lung disease characterized by extreme dilation and eventual destruction of pulmonary alveoli with poor exchange of gases

Question 26

hay fever

Answer 26

allergic response to outdoor airborne allergen such as pollen or indoor allergen such as dust mites or pet dander

Question 27

hyperventilation

Answer 27

rapid or deep breathing that lowers the blood CO2 levels below normal

Question 28

hyperventilation syndrome aka panic attack

Answer 28

respirations as high as 40 shallow breaths per minute or as low as 20 very deep breaths per minute

Question 29

hypoxic drive

Answer 29

chronic low levels of oxygen in blood stimulate the respiratory drive

Question 30

orthopnea

Answer 30

severe dyspnea experienced when lying down and relieved by sitting up

Question 31

paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Answer 31

severe SOB especially at night after several hours of reclining where person is forced to sit up and breathe

Question 32

pleuritic chest pain

Answer 32

sharp, stabbing pain in chest that is exacerbated with deep respirations or movement s/p inflammation or irritation of pleura