Respiratory Distress

Respiratory distress can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

chronic respiratory illnesses, infections, allergic reactions, and heart conditions

Which of the following conditions can cause respiratory distress?

A. Asthma, hyperventilation, aspiration, fainting, heart failure, hypoglycemia, overdose reaction, anaphylaxis

Which of the following are common symptoms of a patient experiencing acute respiratory distress?

A. Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, fatigue, bluish lips/fingertips

Asthma

is a chronic condition that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs causing difficult breathing and respiratory distress

T or F: Varying severities of asthma exist and can even change throughout a persons life

true

Asthma is fairly common with about ___ of the population having at least a mild form (in the U.S.)

8%

A typical asthmatic is _________ between asthma attacks, but exhibits varying degrees of respiratory distress during ______ episodes

asymptomatic, acute

Though rarely life-threatening, asthma attacks do not represent a medical emergency in a dental setting and need to be managed (and hopefully prevented)

false

typically comprised of the drug Albuterol, is a bronchodilator and is used to help relieve symptoms from asthma attacks.

Rescue inhalers

Should patients be asked to bring a rescue inhaler to ALL appointments and it should be readily available for use?

yes

Hyperventilation

is a condition where a person breathes rapidly and deeply, exceeding their body’s physiological need for oxygen

Hyperventilation in the dental office is almost always caused by ________, though it can be underlying medical conditions which can also cause it such as metabolic acidosis or drug intoxication

fear or anxiety

T or F: Hyperventilation tends to compound itself, meaning the patient begins hyperventilating, which causes them to panic, which leads to further and more rapid breathing

True

Hyperventilation is more likely seen in patients aged ___ years and has a predilection for ____

15-40, females

Once hyperventilation is detected, dental teacher should 

cease and patient put in an upright position

In order to correct blood CO2 levels, breathing in more CO2 rich air can be beneficial. What could be done to help he patient?

A paper bag (if available) or having the pt breath into their own cupped hands can help regulate proper 02/CO2 levels.

In an conscious dental patient, it is more likely that any foreign object lost in the oropharynx is ______, where it will either be coughed up or continue on into the GI tract

swallowed and passed into the esophagus

Foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO)

can potentially be life threatening and a management system should be in place to direct care in case of any unintended ingestion or aspiration

whenever small objects are being used by the operator, or may occur as a consequence of a dental procedure (such as during an extraction) what should be used?

the use of a rubber dam or an oral throat pack is highly encouraged

Once an object is dropped and it can be seen, attempt to

retrieve it using high speed suction should be performed

if the object was ingested, the patient will likely confirm that they swallowed the foreign body, in which case the patient should be

escorted to the ER to obtain a chest x-ray, to confirm the objects presence and ensure it was not aspirated (A decision (by the M.D.) will be made as to whether to

retrieve the object or allow it to pass through the rest of the

GI tract)

if the object has completely blocked the airway, what should be done?

EMS should be immediately contacted and BLS begun

What should be attempted for a blocked airway?

The Heimlich maneuver should be attempted, if the pt is still conscious, they should be asked to sit or stand up, while the rescuer played his/her arms around the pts abdomen while delivering sharp, upward thrusts in an attempt to dislodge the object. Once the patient lapses into unconsciousness, CPR should be initiated until EMS arrives

Oxygen tanks will be _____ while nitrous tanks will be ____.

green, blue