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Question 1

What is the minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating a patient with respiratory distress?

Answer 1

Disposable examination gloves, eye protection, face shield, and gown if communicable respiratory infection suspected or known.

Always ensure proper PPE to prevent transmission of respiratory infections.

Question 2

What respiratory functions can be impaired by respiratory disease?

Answer 2

Ventilation, diffusion, perfusion, a combination of the three.

All these functions are critical for effective gas exchange.

Question 3

What is the most common complaint of patients with respiratory disease?

Answer 3

Dyspnea.

Dyspnea refers to difficulty or labored breathing.

Question 4

What is the most common cause of dyspnea?

Answer 4

Hypercarbia.

Hypercarbia is an elevated level of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Question 5

Why is it important to evaluate a patient’s oxygen saturation?

Answer 5

Even in the absence of a complaint of dyspnea.

Oxygen saturation levels can indicate respiratory distress not reported by the patient.

Question 6

What are some causes of rapid-onset dyspnea?

Answer 6

Acute bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax.

These conditions require immediate medical attention.

Question 7

What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?

Answer 7

Sudden onset of dyspnea in the middle of the night, may indicate left-sided heart failure.

This symptom often awakens patients from sleep and is a serious sign.

Question 8

What can hinder a patient’s ability to move an adequate supply of air for ventilation?

Answer 8

Limited diaphragm movement, conditions restricting chest wall movement, injuries disrupting thoracic cage integrity.

Factors include advanced pregnancy, obesity, crush injuries, and spinal deformities.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The ability of the diaphragm to move may be limited by _______.

Answer 9

advanced pregnancy, obesity, air or blood in the abdomen.

These conditions can restrict diaphragm function.

Question 10

What conditions can restrict chest wall movement?

Answer 10

Crush injuries, tightly applied immobilization devices, abnormal spinal curvature (scoliosis or kyphosis).

These conditions can severely impact respiratory function.

Question 11

What injury can disrupt the integrity of the thoracic cage?

Answer 11

Flail chest.

Flail chest occurs when multiple adjacent ribs are broken, leading to respiratory complications.