Respiratory System Flashcards
What is the difference between respiratory distress, respiratory failure, and respiratory
arrest?
Respiratory Distress: unable to regulate gas exchange
Respiratory Failure: not able to provide the body with enough oxygen
Respiratory arrest: not breathing
What do you look for when you’re examining the chest in a primary survey?
chest wall movement/the rising and falling of the chest cavity
What are the signs of respiratory distress?
Increase breathing rate (greater than 20 bpm); color changes around mouth, inside lips, under the finger nails; audible grunting with exhales; wheezing; nose flaring; retraction; sweating (but the skin does not feel warm); forward/tripod position
How do you treat the flu in the wilderness? When should you think about evacuation?
Treatment: hydration; hygiene; rest; pain meds; and decongestants
Evacuation: fever lasting more than 48 hours or greater than 102F; stiff neck; difficulty breathing; wheezing; showing signs of pneumonia (shortness of breath, decreased exercise tolerance; increasing fever; worsening fatigue; weakness; coughing); inability to retain oral fluid for greater than 48 hours; sore throat that inhibits swallowing; red throat with white patches; a headache that does not respond to mediation, is sudden or coming with altered mental state
What are the signs that someone is choking?
Cannot make noise; sudden shortness of breath; cough; squeaking; blue around the lips
What are the signs of anaphylaxis?
What should you do if the first dose of an epi pen does not improve their condition?
Signs: low blood pressure; weak, rapid pulse; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; dizziness; fainting; red/pink blotchy skin tone
First epi fails, do a second epi and evacuate immediately
Why should all anaphylaxis patients go to the hospital, even if they improve?
Risk of secondary anaphylaxis
How can you recognize when someone is having an asthma attack?
What can you do to help them?
Signs: wheezing on exhalation; kneeling forward; complaining of chest tightness; weakness; using accessory muscles for breathing; decreasing breath sounds; speaking in 1 - 2 word clusters; sleepy; blue tint around lips and fingers
Treatment: calm patient; assist with inhaler use; remove from trigger area; hydrate and rest
When should an asthma patient be evacuated?
If no improvement after inhaler use
How can you distinguish an asthma attack from a panic attack?
Panic attack has a lack of wheezing, does have tingling in hands; and may feel dizzy
Who is at risk for pulmonary embolisms? What can you give a patient who you suspect
might have this?
Risk factors: Pregnancy; recent surgery; long travel; smoking; oral contraceptive; and high altitude
Treatment: give aspirin and evacuate immediately
