RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS CHAPTER 5 To assess the victim’s condition To identify and remove the cause of the problem and provide fresh air To comfort and reassure the victim To maintain an open airway, check breathing & resuscitate if necessary To obtain medical help if necessary. Call 911 for emergency help if you suspect a serious illness or injury

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM  This system comprises of the:  Mouth  Nose  Windpipe (Trachea)  Lungs  Pulmonary blood vessels  Respiration: process of breathing & exchange of gases (oxygen & carbon dioxide) in the lungs & in cells throughout the body  Inhale- take oxygen into lungs.  Exhale- expel the waste gas, carbon dioxide

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM  When we inhale… 1. Air is drawn through the nose and mouth into the airway and lungs 2. In the lungs, oxygen is taken from air sacs (alveoli) into the pulmonary capillaries 3. At the same time, carbon dioxide is released from the capillaries into the alveoli 4. Carbon dioxide is then expelled when we exhale  Average man’s lungs= 10 pints (6 liters) of air  Average woman’s lungs= 9 pints ( 5 liters) of air

STRUCTURES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

HOW BREATHING WORKS  Inhaling  Intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract  ribs to move up and out  Chest cavity expands  Lungs expand  Pressure inside the lungs is reduced and air is drawn into the lungs  Exhaling  Intercostal muscles relax  Rib cage returns to resting position  Diaphragm relaxes and resumes its domed shape  Chest cavity becomes smaller  Pressure inside the lungs increases  Air flows out of the lungs

HYPOXIA (LOW BLOOD OXYGEN)  Insufficient oxygen in the body tissues  Causes:  Suffocation  Choking  Poisoning  Symptoms:  Rapid breathing  Distressed breathing  Difficulty speaking  Cyanosis (gray/ blue skin)  Anxiety  Restlessness  Headache  Nausea/ vomiting

CHOKING ADULT  Recognition:  Ask the victim- “Are you choking?”  Mild obstruction: victim able to speak, cough and breathe  Severe obstruction: victim unable to speak, cough or breathe, with eventual loss of consciousness  Your aims:  Remove obstruction  Arrange urgent removal to hospital if necessary  Caution: if the victim loses consciousness and is not breathing, begin CPR with chest compressions  Any victim who has been given abdominal thrusts must seek medical advice

CHOKING CHILD  One year to puberty  Prone to choking (food, small objects, etc. )  Same recognition, aims and caution as choking adult

CHOKING INFANT  Under one year  Food, small objects, etc.  Same recognition, aims and caution as choking adult

AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION  Recognition:  Features of hypoxia  Difficulty speaking/ breathing  Noisy breathing  Red, puffy face  Signs of distress  Flaring of nostrils  Persistent cough  Your Aims:  Remove obstruction  Restore normal breathing  Arrange removal to hospital 1. Remove the obstruction if it is external/ visible in the mouth 2. If victim is conscious & breathing normally- reassure & observe 3. Call 911- monitor & record vital signs

INHALATION OF FUMES  Inhalation of smoke, gases, or toxic vapors can be lethal  A victim who has inhaled fumes is likely to have low levels of oxygen (hypoxia)  Needs urgent medical attention  Smoke inhalation  Inhalation of Carbon Monoxide  Poisonous gas  No taste/ smell  Prevents cells from carrying oxygen to the body tissues  Can be fatal Your aims: Restore adequate breathing Call 911 Caution: Open windows & doors Begin CPR

THE MAIN CAUSES OF OBSTRUCTION ARE:  Inhalation: of an object, such as food  Blockage: by the tongue, blood/ vomit while a victim is unconscious  Internal swelling: of the throat (anaphylaxis)  Injuries: to face/ jaw  Asthma attack: constricted airways  External pressure: on the neck  Peanuts

HYPERVENTILATION  Acute anxiety and may accompany a panic attack  Emotional upset/ history of panic attacks  Increased loss of carbon dioxide from the blood  Fast breathing  Dizziness  Trembling  Tingling in the hands  AIMS:  Remove victim from the cause of distress  Reassure the victim and calm her down CAUTION: Do not advise the victim to rebreathe own air from a paper bag. May cause a more serious illness. Hyperventilation in children is rare- look for other causes.

ASTHMA  Muscles of the air passages in the lungs go into a spasm  Airways are narrowed- breathing becomes difficult  Triggers: allergy, a cold, particular drug, cigarette smoke  May be treated (depending on severity) with inhalers/ nebulizers  AIMS:  Ease breathing  Obtain medical help if necessary

CROUP  Caused by a viral infection in the windpipe and larynx  Breathing difficulty in young children  Short, barking cough  Rare case= Epiglottitis  Epiglottis becomes infected and swollen and may block the airway completely  Most children are immunized against this bacterium

PENETRATING CHEST WOUND  If sharp object penetrates the chest wall- there may be severe damage to the organs  Lungs are particularly susceptible to injury  Air can enter between the membranes and exert pressure on the lung- may collapse= pneumothorax  AIMS:  Seal the wound and maintain breathing  Minimize shock  Arrange urgent removal to the hospital