Respiratory Emergencies: Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Field Management

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from Emergency Care Chapter 19 presentation notes.

Inspiration

An active process of respiration that uses muscle contraction of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm to increase the size of the chest cavity and pull air into the lungs.

Expiration

A passive process of respiration in which the rib muscles and diaphragm relax, decreasing the size of the chest cavity and forcing air out of the lungs.

Adequate Breathing

Breathing sufficient to support life, characterized by normal mental status, clear speech, normal skin color, oxygen saturation within normal range, and normal respiratory rates ($12$ to $20$ breaths/minute for adults, $18$ to $30$ for school-age children, and $30$ to $60$ for infants).

Inadequate Breathing

Breathing insufficient to support life, characterized by abnormal respiratory rates, inability to speak, silent chest, agonal respirations, irregular rhythm, low oxygen saturation, and poor tidal volume.

Tripod Position

A physical posture commonly assumed by patients experiencing severe breathing difficulty, sitting and leaning forward with hands resting on knees or sitting with feet dangling.

Wheezes

High-pitched adventitious breath sounds created by air moving through narrowed air passages within the respiratory tract.

Crackles

Fine crackling or bubbling sounds heard on inspiration, caused by fluid in the alveoli or by the opening of previously closed alveoli.

Rhonchi

Lower-pitched respiratory sounds resembling snoring or rattling, caused by secretions obstructing larger airways.

Stridor

High-pitched, upper-airway sounds indicating a partial obstruction of the trachea or larynx.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

A form of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation consisting of a mask that continuously blows oxygen or air at low pressure into the airway to prevent alveoli from collapsing.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A broad classification of chronic lung diseases, overwhelmingly caused by cigarette smoking, that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other chronic respiratory illnesses.

Chronic Bronchitis

A form of COPD where the lining of the bronchioles becomes inflamed, producing excess mucus that cilia and airway cells cannot effectively clear.

Emphysema

A form of COPD characterized by the breakdown of alveolar walls, leading to reduced surface area for gas exchange, loss of lung elasticity, and trapping of carbon dioxide-laden air.

Asthma

A chronic respiratory disease characterized by episodic exacerbations involving bronchoconstriction and excessive mucus production, restricting airflow primarily during exhalation.

Pulmonary Edema

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the alveoli, frequently resulting from congestive heart failure (CHF) as high pressure in pulmonary capillaries forces fluid into lower airways.

Pneumonia

An infection in one or both lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, which causes inflammatory fluid accumulation in the lung parenchyma, fever, cough, and pleuritic chest pain.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

A sudden collapse of a lung occurring without trauma or obvious cause, most commonly seen in tall, thin individuals or patients with a history of COPD and smoking.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blockage in the arterial blood supply to the lungs, frequently caused by a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) originating in lower extremities or pelvic veins.

Epiglottitis

An infection causing life-threatening swelling around and above the epiglottis, which can result in sudden upper airway obstruction, drooling, stridor, and difficulty swallowing.

Croup

A group of viral illnesses causing inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi in pediatric patients, characterized by a distinct loud, barking cough and inspiratory stridor.

Bronchiolitis

An acute viral infection of the small airways, most commonly caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), leading to inflammation, mucus accumulation, and respiratory distress in young children.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder that typically appears in childhood, causing the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that accumulates in the lungs and digestive tract, leading to recurrent lung infections.

Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI)

A handheld device that delivers a pre-measured, aerosolized dose of medication directly to the airways upon activation during inhalation.

Spacer Device

An attachment positioned between a metered-dose inhaler and the patient's mouth that holds the discharged mist, allowing for easier coordination during inhalation.

Small-Volume Nebulizer (SVN)

A device that uses compressed gas or oxygen to turn liquid medication into a fine aerosol mist, allowing continuous inhalation over several minutes.