AIRWAY, RESPIRATION, VENTILATION - Signs & Symptoms

ASTHMA

1 EXPLANATION Is a reactive airway disease that causes bronchoconstriction and excess mucous production.

2 RISK FACTORS Smoking, allergies, pollen, physical exertion

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Wheezing, cough with tightness in chest, accessory muscle use, hard time with exhaling

4 TREATMENT BLS: Oxygen NRB-Mask Goal 94-99% SPO2, 2) Albuterol, assist CPAP: 5 - 10 cm H20.

ANAPHYLAXSIS

1 EXPLANATION Is a severe allergic reaction that affects two or more body systems, it can life threatening if left untreated.

2 RISK FACTORS Insect bites and stings, bee stings, food allergy, medication allergy

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Stridor, wheezing, hives, nausea/vomiting, increased respiratory rate, tachycardia

4 TREATMENT BLS: Epi-pen Adult: 0.3 mg, IM | EpiPen JR: 0.15 mg, IM (oxygen + albuterol)

COPD

1 EXPLANATION Chronic respiratory disease, bronchoconstriction, mucus production, destructions of alveoli

2 RISK FACTORS Smoking, air irritants, working in shipyards or hazardous job sites.

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Wheezing, Rhonchi, difficulty breathing, tightness of the chest, low SPO2

4 TREATMENT BLS: Oxygen, get patient back to 94% SPO2, CPAP.

PULMONARY EMBOLISM

1 EXPLANATION Thrombosis in the pulmonary arteries. Think “lung attack”

2 RISK FACTORS Long rides/travel, recent surgery, cancer, pregnancy, birth control use, smokers

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Shortness of breath, chest pain, tachycardia, hypoxia, increased respiratory rate, leg pain if DVT is present, swollen calf if DVT also present.

4 TREATMENT BLS: Oxygen at 15 lpm, maintain 94-99% with rapid transport.

CROUP

1 EXPLANATION Croup is an upper airway infection that is seen in pediatrics. Croup has a distinct “barking cough.” The infection causes the upper airway to become inflamed.

2 RISK FACTORS Pediatrics (6months to 4 years), recent illness, frequent respiratory illness. 3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Fever, gradual onset, barking cough, stridor, more commonly viral infection.

4 TREATMENT BLS: Position of comfort, oxygen as needed to maintain SP02 level of 94%.

PNEUMONIA

1 EXPLANATION Pneumonia is “junk in the lungs” what occurs is your alveoli can become inflamed via infection. This causes fluid and/or pus to form in the lung fields.

2 RISK FACTORS Immunocompromised patients, elderly patients, chronic respiratory disease.

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Early onset: Rales (fluid) Mid-Late Stages: Rhonchi (Pus) productive cough with green or yellow sputum, fever, malaise, tachycardia, chills, night sweats.

4 TREATMENT BLS: Oxygen can be used to achieve an SPO2 of at least 94%, CPAP to clear fluid/pus from the lung fields to improve oxygenation.

EPIGLOTTITIS

1 EXPLANATION Epiglottitis is simply an inflamed epiglottis. This is most common seen in the pediatric population but can occur at any age. The patient has an upper airway infection which has caused the epiglottis to swell, this is potentially life threatening as the epiglottis sits right over the vocal cords/laryngeal opening.

2 RISK FACTORS Pediatrics, recent illness, frequent respiratory infections.

3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Stridor, heavy drooling, rapid onset, no cough, painful to swallow, most commonly bacterial infections.

4 TREATMENT BLS: Place the patient in position of comfort and do your best to keep patient calm, radio patch early that you will need a respiratory specialist, blow-by oxygen as needed with rapid transport.