Primary Assessment of Breathing and Oxygenation

Flashcards covering key concepts regarding breathing assessment, oxygenation, and ventilatory support based on the provided lecture notes.

Normal Breath Sounds

Sounds that indicate normal air flow in the lungs, including tracheal, bronchiovesicular, and vesicular sounds.

Tracheal Breath Sounds

Loud and harsh sounds characteristic of the trachea, with an inspiratory to expiratory ratio of about 2:3.

Bronchiovesicular Breath Sounds

Sounds that are soft and of medium to low pitch, found in the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces.

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Faint, soft sounds where inspiratory sounds last longer than expiratory sounds, found over most of the lungs.

Crackles

Abnormal sounds indicating fluid in airways, heard during inspiration, involving either fine or coarse crackles.

Wheeze

High-pitched, musical sounds indicating decreased lumen diameter in airways, heard during expiration.

Stridor

A high-pitched, continuous crowing sound indicating upper airway obstruction, typically heard over the trachea.

SpO2

A measure of arterial saturation of hemoglobin at the capillary level, reflecting oxygenation status.

Hypoxemia

A condition where there is inadequate oxygen in the blood, leading to potentially dangerous levels of SpO2.

Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation (IPPV)

A method of providing ventilatory support by delivering breaths through positive pressure.

End-Tidal CO2 (EtCO2)

The measurement of the concentration of CO2 at the end of an exhaled breath, reflecting ventilation status.

Hypoventilation

A state of inadequate ventilation resulting in increased CO2 levels in the blood.

Hyperventilation

Excessive ventilation resulting in decreased CO2 levels, often caused by anxiety or high respiratory rates.

Ventilation

The process of air movement in and out of the lungs, requiring intact neurological control and muscle function.

Diffusion

The exchange of gases between the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries for gas exchange.

Perfusion

The circulating blood through the pulmonary capillaries, necessary for effective oxygenating of blood.

Management of closed STI

Protect from further injury

Rest the injured area

Ice the injured area

Compression

Elevate

Drugs

STI 

Soft Tissue Injury 

Complications of open STI’s

Exsanguination

Infection

Amputation

Pressure Sores

are localized injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, resulting from prolonged pressure or shear forces.

Management Goal

Stop the bleeding

Prevent contamination, leave embedded objects in place if possible 

Consider underlying damage 

Pain management 

Goals for covering dressing and bandage application

Cover the wound 

Control the bleeding 

Limit movement