Ch. 15 Respiratory Emergencies

Question 1

What are the signs and rates for normal breathing in adults, children, and infants?

Answer 1

Adults: 12-20 breaths/min
Children: 15-30 breaths/min
Infants: 25-50 breaths/min

• regular patern of inhalation and exhalation
• clear and equal bilaterl breath sounds
• equal chest rise and fall
• adequate tidal volume
• unlabored; without adventitious breath sounds

Question 2

What are some signs and symptoms of inadequate breathing?

Answer 2

• shallow breathing with an altered mental status
• respiratory rate is too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia)
• skin is pale, cool, cyanotic
• adventitious breath sounds
• breathing rythm is irregular
• excessive coughing
• patient is sitting up, leaning forward, in tripod position
• pursed lips and nasal flaring
• adults anxious or restless, pediactrics appear sleepy
• patient cannot speak more than a few words when asked “how are you doing?”

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of a patient with Asthma?

Answer 3

• Wheezing on inspiration

- bronchospasm

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of Anaphylaxis?

Answer 4

• flushed skin or hives
• decreased blood pressure (hypotension)
• Laryngeal edema with dyspnea (fluid buildup in larynx with SOB)
• wheezing and stridor

Question 5

What are the signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis?

Answer 5

• SOB
• Wheezing
• coughing
• fever
• dehydration
• Tachpnea (increased breathing rate)
• Tachycardia (rapid pulse rate)

Question 6

What are the signs and symptoms of bronchitis?

Answer 6

• chronic cough (with sputum)
• wheezing
• cyanosis
• tachypnea (increased breathing rate)

Question 7

What are the signs and symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure?

Answer 7

• dependent edema
• crackles (pulmonary edema)
• orthopnea (severe dysnea when laying down)
• paroxysmal nocturnal dsypnea (severe SOB, especially when reclining in chair for hours); siyting upright relieves SOB

Question 8

What are the signs and symptoms of common cold?

Answer 8

• cough
• runny nose
• sore throat

Question 9

What are the signs and symptoms of croup?

Answer 9

• fever
• barking cough
• stridor
• mostly in pediatric patients

Question 10

What are the signs and symptoms of diphtheria?

Answer 10

• difficulty breathing and swallowing
• sore throat
• thick grey buildup in throat or nose
• fever

Question 11

What are the signs and symptoms of emphysema?

Answer 11

• barrel chest
• pursed lip breathing
• dyspnea on exertion
• cyanosis
• wheezing/decreased breath sounds

Question 12

What are the signs and symptoms of epiglottitis?

Answer 12

• dyspnea
• high fever
• stridor
• drooling
• difficulty swallowing
• severe sore throat
• tripod position

Question 13

What are the signs and symptoms of influenza type a?

Answer 13

• cough
• fever
• sore throat
• Fatigue

Question 14

What are the signs and symptoms of pertusis (whooping cough)?

Answer 14

• coughing spells
• “whooping sound”
• fever

Question 15

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

Answer 15

• dyspnea
• fever
• cough
• green,red, and colored sputum
• localized wheezing or crackles

Question 16

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumothorax?

Answer 16

• sudden chest pain with dyspnea
• decreased breath sounds (affected side)
• subcrutaneous emphysema

Question 17

What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolus?

Answer 17

• sharp chest pain
• sudden onset
• dyspnea
• tachycardia
• clear breath sounds initially

Question 18

What are the signs and symptoms of tension pneumothorax?

Answer 18

• severe shortness of breath
• decreased/altered level of consciousness
• neck vein disention
• tracheal diviation (late sign)
• hypotension (late sign)

Question 19

What are the signs and symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

Answer 19

• cough
• wheezing
• fever
• dehydration

Question 20

What are the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis (TB)?

Answer 20

• cough
• fever
• fatigue
• productive bloody sputum