1. Respiratory Emergencies
Chapter 11

2. Respiratory System

3. Anatomy and Function of the Lung

4. Characteristics of Adequate Breathing
Normal rate and depth
Regular breathing pattern
Good breath sounds on both sides of the chest
Equal rise and fall of chest
Pink, warm, dry skin

5. Causes of Inadequate Breathing
Pulmonary vessels become obstructed.
Alveoli are damaged.
Air passages are obstructed.
Blood flow to the lungs is obstructed.
Pleural space is filled.

6. Signs of Inadequate Breathing
Slower than 12 breaths/min or faster than 20 breaths/min
Unequal chest expansion
Decreased breath sounds
Muscle retractions
Pale or cyanotic skin
Cool, damp (clammy) skin
Shallow or irregular respirations
Pursed lips
Nasal flaring

7. Upper or Lower Airway Infection
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Patient may not be alert enough to complain of shortness of breath.
Upper or Lower Airway Infection
Infectious diseases may affect all parts of the airway.
The problem is some form of obstruction to the air flow or the exchange of gases.

8. Upper or Lower Airway Infection (treatment)
Administer warm, humidified oxygen.
Do not attempt to suction the airway or insert an oropharyngeal airway in a patient with suspected epiglottitis.
Transport patient in position of comfort.

9. Acute Pulmonary Edema Fluid build-up in the lungs Signs and symptoms
Dyspnea
Frothy pink sputum
History of chronic congestive heart failure
Recurrence high

10. Acute Pulmonary Edema (treatment)
Administer 100% oxygen.
Suction secretions.
Transport in position of comfort.

11. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is the result of direct lung and airway damage from repeated infections or inhalation of toxic agents.
Bronchitis and emphysema are two common types of COPD.
Abnormal breath sounds may be present.
Rhonchi and wheezes

12. COPD Patients COPD patients cannot handle pulmonary infections well
Usually age 50 or older
History of recurring lung problems
Long-term smokers
Tightness in chest/constant fatigue

13. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (treatment)
Assist with prescribed inhaler if patient has one.
Transport promptly in position of comfort.

14. Asthma Common but serious disease
Asthma is an acute spasm of the bronchioles.
Wheezing may be audible without a stethoscope.

15. Asthma (treatment) Obtain history. Assess vital signs.
Assist with inhaler if patient has one.
Administer oxygen.
Transport promptly.

16. Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Accumulation of air in the pleural space
Caused by trauma or some medical conditions
Dyspnea and sharp chest pain on one side
Absent or decreased breath sounds on one side

17. Spontaneous Pneumothorax (treatment)
Administer oxygen.
Transport in position of comfort.
Monitor closely.

18. Anaphylactic Reactions
An allergen can trigger an asthma attack.
Asthma and anaphylactic (allergic) reactions can be similar.
Hay fever is a seasonal response to allergens.

19. Pleural Effusion Collection of fluid outside lung Causes dyspnea
Caused by irritation, infection, or cancer
Decreased breath sounds over region of the chest where fluid has moved the lung away from the chest wall
Eased if patient is sitting up

20. Pleural Effusion (treatment)
Definitive treatment is performed in a hospital.
Administer oxygen and support measures.
Transport promptly.

21. Mechanical Obstruction of the Airway
Be prepared to treat quickly.
Obstruction may result from the position of head, the tongue, aspiration of vomitus, or a foreign body.
Opening the airway with the head tilt-chin lift maneuver may solve the problem.

22. Obstruction of the Airway (treatment)
Clear airway.
Administer oxygen.
Transport promptly.

23. Pulmonary Embolism
A blood clot that breaks off and circulates through the venous system
Signs and symptoms
Dyspnea
Acute pleuritic pain
Hemoptysis
Cyanosis
Tachypnea
Varying degrees of hypoxia

24. Pulmonary Embolism (treatment)
Administer oxygen.
Place patient in comfortable position, usually sitting.
Assist breathing as necessary.
Keep airway clear.
Transport promptly.

25. Hyperventilation
Overbreathing resulting in a decrease in the level of carbon dioxide
Signs and symptoms
Anxiety
Numbness
A sense of dyspnea despite rapid breathing
Dizziness
Tingling in hands and feet

26. Hyperventilation (treatment)
Complete initial assessment and history of the event.
Assume underlying problems.
Do not have patient breathe into a paper bag.
Give oxygen.
Reassure patient and transport.

27. You are the provider:
You and your EMT-B partner are dispatched to a 33-year-old woman with difficulty breathing.
You arrive at the office building and an upset man identifies himself as the patient’s coworker.
He tells you that the patient has had breathing problems before, but he’s never seen it this bad.
He leads you to a woman who is standing with her arms outstretched on the desk with a metered-dose inhaler in hand.
She acknowledges your presence with a nod. When you ask her what is wrong, she answers with a two-word response, “can’t breathe.”
You hear audible wheezes.

28. Scene size up
How significant is the person’s response to your question and why?
What should you do next? Should you transport this patient or wait for ALS to arrive on scene?

29. Initial Assessment Perform initial assessment.
Place the patient on oxygen.
If patient is in respiratory distress, ventilate.
Check pulse.

30. Signs and Symptoms Difficulty breathing Altered mental status
Anxiety or restlessness
Increased or decreased respirations
Increased heart rate
Irregular breathing
Cyanosis
Pale conjunctivae
Abnormal breath sounds
Difficulty speaking
Use of accessory muscles
Coughing
Tripod position
Barrel chest

31. You are the provider: You arrange to rendezvous with ALS.
You apply high-flow oxygen and obtain the following vital signs:
Respirations: 42 breaths/min
Pulse oximetry: 90%
The patient indicates that she has used the inhaler twice already.
What can you do before you meet ALS?
Another pulse oximetry reading reveals a reading of 72%.
The patient is using accessory muscles to breathe.
What do these signs indicate?

32. Focused History and Physical Exam
Abnormal breath sounds are symptomatic of COPD
Long history of dyspnea with sudden increase in shortness of breath
Recent chest cold with fever
Vital signs
Normal blood pressure
Rapid, occasionally irregular pulse
Respirations rapid or very slow

33. Interventions Treat immediate life threats Possible interventions
Oxygen via nonrebreathing mask at 15 L/min
Positive pressure ventilations
Airway adjuncts
Positioning
Respiratory medications

34. Detailed Physical Exam
Performed only once life threats are addressed.
May not be able to do if busy treating airway or breathing problems.

35. Ongoing assessment Carefully watch patients for shortness of breath.
Reassess vital signs.
Ask patient if treatment has made a difference.
Check for accessory muscle use.

36. Emergency Medical Care
Give supplemental oxygen at 10 to 15 L/min via nonrebreathing mask.
Patients with longstanding COPD may be started on low-flow oxygen (2 L/min).
Assist with inhaler if available.
Consult medical control.

37. Medications in MDI Trade names Proventil Ventolin Alupent Metaprel
Brethine
Generic names
Albuterol
Metaproterenol
Terbutaline

38. Prescribed Inhalers Actions Side effects
Relax the muscles surrounding the bronchioles
Enlarge the airways leading to easier passage of air
Side effects
Increased pulse rate
Nervousness
Muscle tremors

39. Prior to Administration
Read label carefully.
Verify it has been prescribed by a physician for this patient.
Consult medical control.
Make sure the medication is indicated.
Check for contraindications.

40. Contraindications for MDI
Patient unable to help coordinate inhalation
Inhaler not prescribed for patient
No permission from medical control
Maximum dose prescribed has been taken.

41. Administration of MDI
Obtain order from medical control or local protocol.
Check for right medication, right patient, right route.
Make sure the patient is alert.
Check the expiration date.
Check how many doses have been taken.
Make sure inhaler is at room temperature or warmer.
Shake inhaler.
Stop administration of oxygen.
Ask the patient to exhale deeply and put lips around opening.
If the inhaler has a spacer, use it.
Have the patient depress the inhaler and inhale deeply.
Instruct the patient to hold his or her breath.
Continue administration of oxygen.
Allow the patient to breathe a few times then repeat dose according to protocol.

42. Reassessment Carefully watch for shortness of breath.
5 minutes after administration:
Obtain vital signs again.
Perform focused reassessment.
Transport and continue to assess breathing.