Respiratory Emergencies

Croup

viral infection that caused by inflammation and swelling of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea

seen in 6 months to 6 year olds

Croup signs and symptoms

starts with cold, cough, and low grade fever

stridor

seal bark cough, signalling narrowing of the air passage

Croup treatments

responds well to administration of humidified oxygen

Epiglottitis

life threatening inflammatory disease of the epiglottis, often a bacterial infection

seen in preschool and school-age children the most

Epiglottitis signs and symptoms

look ill

very sore throat

high fever

found in tripod position

drooling

dyspnea

dysphagia

keep them calm

stridor (late sign)

Epiglottitis treatments

provide high flow of oxygen

do not put anything in mouth

keep them calm

Respiratory syncytial virus

common illness in children

infection in the lungs and breathing passages and can lead to serious illnesses like bronchiolitis and pneumonia

contagious

RSV signs and symptoms

cough

wheezing

fever

dehydration

RSV treatments

treat airway and breathing problems

humidified oxygen

Bronchiolitis

inflammation of bronchioles, the tiny airways that lead from the larger airways to the alveoli in the lungs, become inflamed, swell, and filled with mucus

can occur due to RSV

most frequent in children’s and newborns, especially boys

those go get hospitalized for it are more prone to childhood asthma

Bronchiolitis signs and symptoms

shortness of breath

wheezing

coughing

fever

dehydration

tachypnea

tachycardia

Bronchiolitis treatments

oxygen

position of comfort

suction thick mucus from nostrils

provide a airway management and positive pressure ventilation

Pneumonia

infection of the lungs, collects in the surrounding normal lung tissues imparting the lungs ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

can be virus, bacterial, or fungal

highly contagious

secondary infection

Pneumonia signs and symptoms

dyspnea

grunting/wheezing sounds

cyanosis

fever

abdominal pain

vomiting

tachycardia

hypotension

febrile

chest discomfort

wheezing/crackles/ or rhonchi

Pneuomia treatments

airway support

oxygen

Pertussis

airborne bacterial infection in children younger than 6

highly contagious

violent coughing fits

can turn into pneumonia for infants less than 6 months

Pertussis signs and symptoms

whooping cough

coughing spells

fever

dehydration

Pertissus treatments

give needed oxygen

transport

COVID-19 SARS

viral virus

highly contigous

COVID-19 signs and symptoms

high fever

cough

chest pain while inhaling

vomiting and diarrhea

anosmia

COVID-19 treatments

treat the symptoms

Tuberculosis

contagious bacterial infection of the lungs

can be dormant for years

Tuberculosis signs and symptoms

fever

coughing

fatigue

night sweats

weight loss

productive bloody sputum

chest pain

Tuberculosis treatments

administer oxygen

transport immediately

Acute pulmonary edema

fluid built up within the alveoli and lung tissue between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries

secondary problem to left-sided heart failure

result of congestive heart failure

drowning in their own fluid

Acute pulmonary edema signs and symptoms

dyspnea

rapid, shallow respirations

pink, frothy sputum

hypertension

low cardiac output

Acute Pulmonary edema

high fowler

administer oxygen

transport

Congestive Heart Failure

a disease of the heart caused by damaged ventricles and failure of heart as pump and is characterizd by edema, shortness of breath, and weakness

enlarged left ventricle

backup of fluid into lungs and body

can lead to pulmonary edema

Congestive heart failure signs and symptoms

abdominal distention

dependent edema

tachycardia

tachypnea

anxiety inability to lie flat

ashen or cyanotic

wet lung sounds

crackles and wheezing

cool and diaphoretic

Congestive heart failure treatements

diuretics and antihypertensives

Chornic obstructive pulmonary disease

lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breath sounds is not reversible

chronic issues with alveoli and mucus is stuck in them

Emphysema (destruction of the alveoli)

Chronic Bronchitis (chronic inflammation of the bronchi)

COPD signs and symptoms

barrel chest

pursed lips breathing

tripod position

smoking

COPD treatments

administer oxygen

inhaler

CPAP if exteme

oxygen levels should be within 88-92

Asthma

acute spasm of the bronchioles associated switch excessive mucus production and swelling go the mucous lining of the respiratory passages

can happen through allergic reactions, stress, exercise, or respiratory infections

Asthma signs and symptoms

wheezing on inspiration/expiration

bronchospasm

Asthma treatments

oxygen

MDI/nebulizer

Hay fever

allergic rhinitis

allergic reaction to airborne allergens

Hay fever signs and symptoms

sneezing

coughing

watery eyes

nasal congestion

runny nose

Hay fever treatments

non emergency situation

physician follow up for over the counter medications

Anaphylactic

sever allergic reaction characterized by airway swelling and dilation of blood vessels all over the body

airway may swell so much that breathing problems can progress within minutes

Anaphylactic signs and symptoms

hives (urticaria)

itching

signs of shock

similar to asthma

Anaphylactic treatments

high flow oxygen

epi-pen

Spontaneous pneumothorax

A sudden breach in the lung tissue that allows air to leak into the pleural space, causing the lung to partially or completely collapse without or with any trauma

emphysema and asthma patients are at high risk

tall, thin young men are more prone

Spontaneous pneumothorax signs and symptoms

anxiety

increased dyspnea

hypotension

absent or severely decreased breath sounds on one side

jugular vein distention

cyanosis

pleuritic chest pain

Spontaneous pneumothorax treatments

oxygen

als

Pleural effusion

gradual accumulation of fluid in the pleural space outside the lung tissue, compressing the lung from the outside

often caused by infection, cancer, or CHF

Pleural effusion signs and symptoms

dyspnea

decreased breaths sounds where fluid has moved the lungs away from chest wall

Pleural effusion treatments

set upright

oxygen

take to hospital immediately

Pulmonary embolism

v/q mismatch

a sudden physical blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot, stopping deoxygenated blood from reaching the air sacs

usually formed in the back of legs or pelvis

can happen by a recent surgery or fracture

Pulmonary embolism signs and symptoms

dyspnea

tachycardia

tachypnea

hypoxia

cyanosis

acute chest pain

hemoptysis

Pulmonary embolism treatments

high oxygen flow (might not help)

semi fowler

transport to hospital immediately

Hyperventilation

rapid or deep breathing that exceeds the body's metabolic demand, causing an excessive elimination of carbon dioxide (CO₂), typically triggered by panic or anxiety

can be indicating for life threatening illnesses such as high glucose level

Hyperventilation signs and symptoms

Tachypnea

dizziness

numbness or tingling around the mouth and fingertip

clear lung sounds

Hyperventilation treatments

Nasal cannula

coach through breathing