Lecture 6: Airway Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is the Clawson system?
Classification of EMS calls
What is trismus?
Spasm of the jaw muscles due to epileptic activity
What can obstruct the airway?
tongue
broken teeth
mouth guard
gum
chewing tobacco
vomit
food
what are the three techniques for choking?
Bent-over backblows
Abdominal thrusts (chest thrusts for small rescuer/pregnant/obese)
Chest thrusts
What are some signs and symptoms of anaphylactic reaction?
narrowing of brionchioles
dilation of blood vessels
skin lesion
respiratory: difficult, distress, arrest
cardiovascular: shock, cardiac arrest
gastro-intestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
skin: urticaria, angioedema, redness
other: anxiety, feeling of imminent death
When is it truly an anaphylactic reaction?
when 2 or more body systems are involved
When could you give a repeat dose of epinephrine for anaphylaxis?
15 minutes after the first dose
Half life of epinephrine is 5min
What are the factors to rule in an allergic reaction when someone is known to be allergic?
recent contact with causal agent <12hours ago
and
first sign of allergic reaction:
difficulty breathing
weakness
fainting
itchiness
urticaria
What are the factors to rule in an allergic reaction when someone is NOT known to be allergic?
recent contact with causal agent <12 hours ago
and
respiratory distress
or
circulatory failure
or
visible edema of the tongue
What are the effects of epinephrine?
reverses the effect of the anaphylaxis
dilates bronchioles
increases blood pressure
increases pulse, may cause palpitations
anxiety, trembling, nausea, vomiting
effects are of short duration
What should you verify before administering an EpiPen?
6 rights of medication
medication is clear not cloudy
expiration date
Which way should you always suction?
Always suction on the way out
How long should you suction for when not vomiting?
adult: 15sec
child: 10sec
baby: 5 sec
What are common causes of respiratory distress?
hyperventilation, asthma anaphylaxis, chest injury
What are the signs and symptoms of respiratory distress?
abnormal breathing
abnormal skin color (usually moist, flushed, pale, ashen, bluish)
face is blue, the brain is too
What is the general treatment of dyspnea (difficulty breathing)?
Loosen restrictive clothing
semi-sitting/tripod position
O2 depending on their SpO2
What is the treatment for hyperventilation syndrome?
calm down, remove from stimuli
attempt to slow down breathing
No paper bags, use cupped hands for short periods of time
if cyanotic, paresthesia, lowering LOR give O2
As stimuli to breathe is CO2, pt may stop breathing with O2 admin, prep to ventilate
What is bronchitis?
excessive mucous secretions, inflammatory changes
What is emphysema?
Lungs unable to effectively exchange CO2/O2
Careful with hyper-oxygenation
What is the pathogenesis of asthma?
muscle contraction, inflammatory reaction, increased mucous production, increased mucous viscosity, decreased air exchange due to spasm, swelling, secretions
What are the S/S of asthma?
wheeze on exhalation
difficulty breathing
chest tightness
ineffective cough
headache
tight/irritated throat
mild cyanosis
what can a bad asthma attack lead to?
it can progress to respiratory arrest, “ a silent asthmatic is not a good sign”
What does a nebulizer do?
changes asthma medication from a liquid to a mist, so that it can easily inhaled into lungs
What is the peak flow in a green zone asthma plan?
80% or more of personal best