Respiratory Emergencies and Airway Management Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering airway emergency management, clinical scoring systems (LEMON, PRAM, Wells, PERC), respiratory conditions (Asthma, COPD, Croup, Bronchiolitis, PE), and induction pharmacology based on the CCFP(EM) lecture notes.

LEMON

An acronym used for assessing the likelihood of a difficult airway, representing Look externally, Evaluate the 3-3-2 rule, Mallampati score, Obstruction, and Neck mobility.

3-3-2 Rule

A bedside assessment tool for a difficult airway where clinicians measure the mouth opening (3 fingers), the hyoid-mental distance (3 fingers), and the hyoid-larynx distance (2 fingers).

Mallampati Score

A classification system used to predict the ease of intubation based on the visibility of the structures in the posterior oropharynx; Class 3 or 4 are predictive of difficult intubation.

Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI)

A method of airway management where a sedative induction agent and a neuromuscular blocking agent are administered simultaneously to facilitate endotracheal intubation.

DOPES

A troubleshooting mnemonic for the deteriorating intubated patient: Displacement of the ETT, Obstruction of the tube (e.g., mucus plug), Patient factors (e.g., pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism), Equipment issue, and Stacked breaths.

AECOPD

Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, defined as dyspnea and/or cough and sputum that worsen over less than $14$ days.

PRAM Score

The Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure, a tool used to score asthma severity in children based on suprasternal indrawing, scalene retractions, wheezing, air entry, and oxygen saturation.

Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)

An objective Measure used to establish the severity of an asthma episode and determine the clinical course of management.

Status Asthmaticus Therapies

Advanced treatments for refractory asthma which may include Magnesium sulfate ($25 \times 50 \text{ mg/kg IV}$), Heliox, and Ketamine ($0.3 \text{ mg/kg}$ bolus IV) for bronchodilation.

BOOTS

A mnemonic for predicting difficult Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) ventilation: Beard, Obesity or Obstruction, Old age (over $55$), Toothless, and Snores or Stiff lungs.

Succinylcholine Contraindications

Circumstances including personal or familial history of malignant hyperthermia, skeletal muscle myopathies, hyperkalemia, or being more than $72$ hours post-major burn or crush injury.

Ketamine

A dissociative induction agent with bronchodilatory properties ($1 \times 2 \text{ mg/kg IV}$), often used in patients with asthma or hypotension, though it may cause hypersecretion or emergence reactions.

Etomidate

A preferred RSI induction agent ($0.3 \text{ mg/kg IV}$) known for hemodynamic neutrality, though it carries a risk of transient cortisol suppression.

Wells' Score for DVT

A clinical decision rule used to determine the probability of deep vein thrombosis; a score of $2$ or higher indicates a high probability in the modified model.

PERC Rule

Pulmonary Embolism Rule-Out Criteria, used to exclude PE in low-probability patients if all criteria (e.g., age $< 50$, pulse $< 100 \text{ bpm}$, no hemoptysis, no estrogen use) are met.

Simplified PESI (sPESI) Score

A risk stratifying tool for PE mortality; a score of $0$ (based on age, cancer, heart/lung disease, HR, BP, and O2 sats) identifies patients at low risk ($< 1 \text{\%}$) of death within $30$ days.

Massive Pulmonary Embolism

An acute PE associated with sustained hypotension (systolic $BP < 90 \text{ mmHg}$) for at least $15$ minutes or requiring inotropic support.

Steeple Sign

A classic radiologic finding of subglottic narrowing on a neck X-ray, most commonly associated with Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis).

Bronchiolitis

A viral illness in children under $2$ years of age, usually caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), presenting with coryza, wheezing, and increased respiratory effort.

Awake Pronation

A non-invasive intervention for awake, cooperative, hypoxic COVID-19 patients to help improve oxygenation before proceeding to intubation.

S1Q3T3 Pattern

A specific ECG finding occasionally seen in Pulmonary Embolism, characterized by a deep S wave in lead 1, a Q wave in lead 3, and an inverted T wave in lead 3.