EMT Chapters 16-18

Respiratory, cardiovascular, neurologic

normal rate of breathing for adults

12-20 breaths/min

normal rate of breathing for children

15-30 breaths/min

normal rate of breathing for infants

30-60 breaths/min

dyspnea

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

asthma

Acute spasm of smaller air passages (bronchioles) associated with excessive mucus production and with swelling of the mucus lining of the respiratory passages.

pulmonary embolism

A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow.

larynx

Also referred to as the voice box. A complex structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures all working together. Where the upper airway ends and lower airway begins.

epiglottis

A thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering.

trachea

The windpipe; the main trunk for air passing to and from the lungs.

bronchioles

Subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or construct in response to various stimuli.

alveoli

The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

respiration

The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.

capillary vessels

The tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste between body tissues and the blood.

capillaries

The small blood vessels that connect arterioles and venules; various substances pass through capillary walls, into and out of the interstitial fluid, and then on to the cells.

diffusion

Passive movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

hemoglobin

An oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells.

red blood cells

Cells that carry oxygen to the body’s tissues; also called erythrocytes.

heart

A hollow muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Deoxygenated blood is carried from the heart to the lungs by…

The pulmonary arteries and arterioles.

Gas exchange takes place at…

The capillaries covering the alveoli.

Oxygenated blood is carried from the lungs to the heart by…

The pulmonary veins and venules.

Oxygen passes from the blood through ______ to tissue cells.

capillaries

asthma S/S

Wheezing on inspiration/expiration, bronchospasm.

anaphylaxis S/S

Flushed skin or hives (uticaria), generalized edema, decreased blood pressure (hypotension), laryngeal edema with dyspnea, wheezing or stridor.

uticaria

Flushed skin or hives.

edema

Presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid between cells in body tissues, causing swelling of the affected area.

hypotension

Decreased blood pressure.

wheezing

A high-pitched, whistling breath sound most prominent on expiration (exhale), suggesting an obstruction or narrowing of the lower airways. Occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis.

stridor

A harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound generally heard during inspiration (inhale), caused by partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway.

bronchiolitis

Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, fever, dehydration, tachypnea, tachycardia.

tachypnea

Rapid respirations.

tachycardia

Rapid heart rate (more than 100 bpm).

bronchitis S/S

Chronic cough (with sputum production), wheezing, cyanosis, tachypnea (increased breathing rate).

cyanosis

A blue skin discoloration caused by reduced oxygen levels in the blood. Note that paleness (decrease in blood flow) can be difficult to detect in dark-skinned people but may be observed by examining mucus membranes inside the inner lower eyelid and capillary refill. On general observation, patient may appear ashen/gray.

congestive heart failure S/S

Dependent (lower extremity) edema, crackles (pulmonary edema), orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.

orthopnea

Severe dyspnea experienced when lying down and relieved by sitting up.

paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Severe shortness of breath, especially at night after several hours of reclining; the person is forced to sit up to breathe.

common cold S/S

Cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat.

COVID-19 S/S

Cough, fever, dyspnea, chest pain, anosmia (inability to smell).

anosmia

Inability to smell.

croup S/S

Fever, barking cough, stridor, mostly seen in pediatric patients.

diphtheria S/S

Difficulty breathing and swallowing, sore throat, thick gray buildup in throat or nose, fever.

emphysema S/S

Barrel chest, pursed lip breathing, dyspnea on exertion, cyanosis, wheezing/decreased breath sounds.

epiglottis S/S

Dyspnea, high fever, stridor, drooling, difficulty swallowing, severe sore throat, tripod or sniffing position, mostly seen in pediatric patients.

influenza type A (flu)

Cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue.

pertussis (whooping cough)

Coughing spells, “whooping” sound, fever.

pneumonia

Dyspnea, chills, fever, cough, green, red, or rust-colored sputum, localized wheezing or crackles.

crackles

Crackling, rattling breath sounds that signal fluid in the air space of lungs.

pneumothorax S/S

Sudden chest pain with dyspnea, decreased breath sounds (affected side), subcutaneous emphysema.

subcutaneous emphysema

A characteristic crackling sensation felt on palpation of the skin, caused by the presence of air in soft tissues.

pulmonary embolus

Dyspnea, occasionally will have sharp chest pain, sudden onset, tachycardia, clear breath sounds initially.

tension pneumothorax

Severe shortness of breath, diminished or absent breath sounds on one side, decreased/altered level of consciousness, neck vein distension, tracheal deviation (late sign), hypotension, signs of shock.

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Cough, wheezing, fever, dehydration.

tuberculosis (TB)

Cough, fever, fatigue, productive/bloody sputum.

hypoxic drive

A condition in which chronically low oxygen levels in the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible.