Lec. 4 Respiratory Distress

Respiratory distress can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including….

Asthma

Hyperventilation

COPD/Emphysema

Fainting

Heart failure

Hypoglycemia

Overdose reaction

Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction)

Though it can vary based on cause, many pts in respiratory distress exhibit similar symptoms

Shortness of breath

Rapid breathing (tachypnea)

Wheezing while breathing due to turbulent airflow through narrowed bronchioles

Frequent coughing

Chest tightness

Fatigue

Bluish lips/fingertips (due to cyanosis)

Asthma

is a chronic condition that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and respiratory distress

What is the percentage of people having at least a mild form of asthma?

8% in the U.S

Do asthmatics have asthma attacks on a continuous basis?

No, asthma is fairly common and most asthmatics don’t have asthma attacks on a regular basis

What drug does a “rescue” inhaler have

albuterol (a fast-acting bronchodilator)

If a patient is having a asthma attack they may use….

their “rescue inhaler”

At IUFW should your pt bring their rescue inhaler?

Yes, their inhaler should be brought to each appt and should be readily available for use if needed. 

Hyperventilation

A condition where a person breathes RAPIDLY and DEEPLY exceeding their body’s physiological needs for oxygen and is almost always caused by fear and anxiety

Who does hyperventilation tend to affect?

younger females more than males and can compound itself, meaning the patient may worsen by panicking

If a patient is hyperventilating what should you suggest them to do?

hold their breath for 20-30 seconds as well as to begin breathing into a brown paper bag, or their own cupped hands in order to try ad help regulate blood O2/CO2 levels. 

If foreign bodies or materials are dropped into the oropharynx are they more likely to…

be ingested and continue to the GI tract, rather than aspirated

Use of a rubber dam, throat pack, and ligating small instruments or materials with floss are ways to…

prevent foreign body ingestion or airway obstruction

patients who are suspect of having swallowed a foreign body should be escorted…

to the ER for a chest x-ray

The Heimlich maneuver should be preformed when?

a patient has aspirated a foreign body and cannot breathe. 

what color are oxygen tanks

Green

What color are nitrous tanks

blue

When should oxygen or nitrous be delivered to a patient?

supplemental oxygen should be gave to a patient when they are in respiratory distress and who could benefit from extra O2 administration