AEMCA- Paramedic Resource Manual Questions Flashcards
(151 cards)
What is sinusitis?
Obstruction of drainage from a sinus, leading to pain and infection
With rapid depressurization (ex: rapid surfacing), what can happen to the ethmoid sinus?
It can rupture, leading to subcutaneous emphysema
What is very vulnerable to direct trauma? (Respiratory)
The larynx
What is often associated with cervical spine injuries?
Trauma to the larynx
What are the 4 major laryngeal cartilages?
Epiglottis
Thyroid
Arytenoids
Cricoid
The trachea is ____ long and lies immediately ______ to the esophagus
10cm, immediately anterior
What is the carina?
Where the trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi
What are the first sites where gas exchange takes place?
Respiratory bronchioles
What is the total alveolar surface area?
Approximately 70 m^2
What are the sequence of events when coughing?
1) Deep inspiration
2) Tight closing of glottis
3) Expiration against closed glottis
4) Glottis partially opens
5) Expulsion of foreign material
What does pulmonary surfactant do?
Significantly reduces surface tension and the muscular work required to expand alveoli
What is Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)?
- Commonly with premature infants
- Insufficient surfactant present in alveoli (due to physical immaturity/premature)
- Infant requires significant muscular effort to inspire
In the normal individual, how much oxygen do respiratory muscles require?
Between 3 - 14mL of oxygen
List in order of anatomical position the following structures, starting with the most anterior:
a) esophagus
b) vertebral body
c) larynx
d) spinal cord
Larynx > Esophagus > Vertebral body > Spinal Cord
Anatomically orient the following structures starting with the most cephalad (towards the head/anterior portion):
a) Thyroid cartilage
b) Hyoid bone
c) Tracheal rings
d) Mandible
e) Cricothyroid ligament
f) Cricoid cartilage
1) Mandible
2) Hyoid bone
3) Thyroid cartilage
4) Cricothyroid ligament
5) Cricoid cartilage
6) Tracheal rings
Why do very sick asthmatics often have very little wheezing?
- Production of sound depends on adequate ventilation
- Decreased ventilation = decreased wheezing
You notice that the nasal secretions of a patient who has suffered a severe head injury are seen to consist of dilute blood. When this falls on the sheet it is seen to form a dark red inner circle and a pink outer circle.
a) What is the likely anatomic site of injury?
b) Name the secretion
c) In regards to establishing an airway, which adjunct will you NOT consider?
a) Cribiform plate
b) CSF
c) NPA
What is the normal adult Tidal Volume range?
400-500 mL
What are the 5 factors that affect diffusion?
1) Solubility of gas in the fluid
2) Concentration of pressure gradient
3) Amount of surface area available
4) Thickness of membrane
5) Temperature of fluid
What are the 3 ways that CO2 is transported in the blood?
1) Bicarbonate
2) Hemoglobin (carbaminohemoglobin)
3) Dissolved in plasma
What is hypoxic hypoxia?
- Breathing air or gas that contains lower than normal PO2 (ex: high altitudes, rebreathing in a closed space)
- Decrease in pulmonary ventilation (pneumothorax, partial airway obstruction)
- Abnormal lung function (asthma, pneumonia, hemorrhage)
What is hypemic hypoxia?
Reduced or altered Hb, meaning blood does not have a normal O2 carrying capacity.
- Any type of anemia
- Hb combined with a gas other than O2 (carbon monoxide)
What is stagnant hypoxia?
Any shock state in which there is widespread inadequate tissue perfusion, therefore inadequate tissue oxygenation.
- Hypovolemic shock, cardiogenic shock
What is histotoxic hypoxia?
When a toxic substance may prevent diffusion of O2 into cells OR may prevent cells from utilizing oxygen.
- Cyanide is a type of poison that will cause this type of hypoxia