EMT Basic Chapter 13 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Dyspnea is MOST accurately defined as:

A marked increase in the exhalation phase.

A complete cessation of respiratory effort.

Labored breathing with reduced tidal volume.

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. (correct)

In what area of the lungs does respiration occur?

Alveoli (correct)

Capillaries

Bronchi

Trachea

The two processes that occur during respiration are:

Diffusion and oxygenation.

Inspiration and expiration. (correct)

Oxygenation and ventilation.

Ventilation and diffusion.

In order for efficient pulmonary gas exchange to occur:

Oxygen and carbon dioxide must be able to freely diffuse across the alveolar-capillary membrane. Signup and view all the answers

In a healthy individual, the brain stem stimulates breathing on the basis of:

Increased carbon dioxide levels. Signup and view all the answers

When the level of arterial carbon dioxide rises above normal:

Respirations increase in rate and depth. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is MOST characteristic of adequate breathing?

24 breaths/min with bilaterally equal breath sounds and pink skin Signup and view all the answers

An alert patient presents with a regular pattern of inhalation and exhalation and breath sounds that are clear and equal on both sides of the chest. These findings are consistent with:

Adequate air exchange. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding the hypoxic drive is MOST correct?

The hypoxic drive stimulates a person to breathe on the basis of low oxygen levels. Signup and view all the answers

When administering supplemental oxygen to a hypoxemic patient with chronic lung disease, you should:

Adjust the flow rate accordingly until you see symptom improvement, but be prepared to assist his or her ventilations. Signup and view all the answers

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), rales, and dependent edema are clinical indicators of:

Congestive heart failure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions would LEAST likely result in hypoxia?

Severe anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is correct?

SARS is a viral infection that often begins with flulike symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

Acute pulmonary edema would MOST likely develop as the result of:

Toxic chemical inhalation. Signup and view all the answers

Weakening of the airway in patients with chronic bronchitis is the result of:

Destruction of protective mechanisms that remove foreign particles. Signup and view all the answers

The respiratory distress that accompanies emphysema is caused by:

Chronic stretching of the alveolar walls. Signup and view all the answers

Asthma is caused by a response of the:

Immune system. Signup and view all the answers

At the onset of an acute asthma attack, patients commonly experience difficulty breathing and:

Expiratory wheezing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding anaphylaxis is correct?

Anaphylaxis is characterized by airway swelling and hypotension. Signup and view all the answers

A 30-year-old male presents with acute shortness of breath, widespread hives, and facial swelling. He denies any past medical history and takes no medications. During your assessment, you hear wheezing over all lung fields. His blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and his heart rate is 110 beats/min. In addition to giving him 100% oxygen, the MOST important treatment for this patient is:

Epinephrine. Signup and view all the answers

A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening of his dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your assessment reveals that he has a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally diminished breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's condition?

Spontaneous pneumothorax Signup and view all the answers

A pleural effusion is MOST accurately defined as:

Fluid accumulation outside the lung. Signup and view all the answers

You are dispatched to a residence for a 67-year-old female who was awakened by shortness of breath and sharp chest pain. Her husband tells you that she was recently discharged from the hospital after having hip surgery. Your assessment reveals dried blood around her mouth, facial cyanosis, and an oxygen saturation of 88%. This patient's presentation is MOST consistent with:

Acute pulmonary embolism. Signup and view all the answers

Hyperventilation could be associated with all of the following, EXCEPT:

A narcotic overdose. Signup and view all the answers

A young female is unconscious after intentionally ingesting a large amount of aspirin. You will MOST likely find her respirations:

Deep and rapid. Signup and view all the answers

Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when:

Blood acidity is reduced by excessive breathing. Signup and view all the answers

Common signs and symptoms of acute hyperventilation syndrome include:

Tachypnea and tingling in the extremities. Signup and view all the answers

A 60-year-old male presents with acute respiratory distress. He is conscious and alert, has pink and dry skin, and has respirations of 24 breaths/min with adequate depth. Which of the following treatment modalities is MOST appropriate for this patient?

Oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and a focused secondary assessment Signup and view all the answers

You receive a call for a 70-year-old female with respiratory distress. Her husband tells you that she has congestive heart failure; however, he does not think that she has been taking her medications as prescribed. The patient is laboring to breathe, appears tired, and has cyanosis around her lips. You should:

Assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device. Signup and view all the answers

When auscultating the lungs of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear adventitious sounds. This means that the patient has:

Abnormal breath sounds. Signup and view all the answers

When assessing for fluid collection in the lungs during auscultation of lung sounds, you should:

Start at the lower lung fields and determine at which level you start hearing clear breath sounds. Signup and view all the answers

While auscultating an elderly woman's breath sounds, you hear low-pitched 'rattling' sounds at the bases of both of her lungs. With which of the following conditions is this finding MOST consistent?

Aspiration pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

Harsh, high-pitched inspiratory sounds are characteristic of:

Stridor. Signup and view all the answers

A conscious and alert 29-year-old female with a history of asthma complains of difficulty breathing that began after her morning jog. The temperature outside is 40°F (5°C). On exam, you hear bilateral expiratory wheezing. After providing 100% oxygen, you should:

Determine if she has been prescribed a beta-agonist inhaler. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding pulse oximetry is correct?

Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen, but does not measure the actual hemoglobin content of the blood. Signup and view all the answers

You are dispatched to an apartment complex where a 21-year-old female has apparently overdosed on several narcotic medications. She is semiconscious and has slow, shallow respirations. You should:

Place her in the recovery position and monitor for vomiting. Signup and view all the answers

Albuterol is a generic name for:

Proventil. Signup and view all the answers

You are assisting an asthma patient with his prescribed metered-dose inhaler. After the patient takes a deep breath and depresses the inhaler, you should:

Instruct him to hold his breath for as long as he comfortably can. Signup and view all the answers

A 22-year-old female patient is complaining of dyspnea and numbness and tingling in her hands and feet after an argument with her fiancé. Her respirations are 40 breaths/min. You should:

Provide reassurance and give oxygen as needed. Signup and view all the answers

A 62-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure presents with severe respiratory distress and an oxygen saturation of 82%. When you auscultate his lungs, you hear widespread rales. He is conscious and alert, is able to follow simple commands, and can only speak in two- to three-word sentences at a time. You should:

Apply a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, monitor his blood pressure, and observe him for signs of improvement or deterioration. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Respiratory System Basics

Dyspnea: Defined as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Respiration Location: Occurs mainly in the alveoli.
Processes of Respiration: Involves inspiration (inhaling) and expiration (exhaling).

Pulmonary Gas Exchange

Efficient pulmonary gas exchange requires oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse freely across the alveolar-capillary membrane.

Breathing Regulation

Brain stem regulates breathing primarily based on levels of carbon dioxide; increased levels stimulate respiratory rate and depth.

Characteristics of Adequate Breathing

Adequate breathing includes a respiratory rate around 24 breaths/min with equal breath sounds and normal coloration of skin.

Hypoxic Drive and Oxygen Administration

Hypoxic Drive: Stimulates breathing in response to low oxygen levels; it may activate when carbon dioxide levels fluctuate.
When providing oxygen to patients with chronic lung diseases, adjust flow rates carefully and prepare to assist ventilations.

Indicators of Health Conditions

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Indicators include paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, rales, and peripheral edema.
Severe Anxiety: Is the least likely to cause hypoxia, whereas conditions like pulmonary edema or pleural effusion are significant contributors.

SARS Overview

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a viral infection starting with flulike symptoms and can lead to severe pneumonia.

Effects of Various Conditions

Acute pulmonary edema may result from toxic chemical inhalation.
In chronic bronchitis, airway weakening occurs due to destroyed protective mechanisms against foreign particles.

Asthma

Caused primarily by the immune system and characterized by expiratory wheezing during attacks.

Anaphylaxis

Involves airway swelling and hypotension; immediate treatment often requires epinephrine administration.

Additional Respiratory Considerations

Signs of acute pulmonary embolism include chest pain, cyanosis, and low oxygen saturation.
Alkalosis occurs when blood acidity decreases due to excessive breathing.
Common symptoms of acute hyperventilation include anxiety and tingling in extremities.

Assessment Techniques

Auscultation detects abnormal sounds, indicating respiratory issues.
Stridor is recognized by harsh, high-pitched sounds indicating potential obstruction.

Emergency Management

In cases of respiratory distress, prioritize administering oxygen effectively and monitoring vital signs closely.
Directly respond to overdoses with appropriate positioning and monitoring for complications.

Medicinal Knowledge

Albuterol, generic name for Proventil, is commonly used for asthma management.
Instructions for inhaler use include urging patients to hold their breath following inhalation for maximum effectiveness.

Patient Interaction

Reassuring patients experiencing anxiety or hyperventilation and managing their oxygen needs is crucial in emergency scenarios.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on essential EMT concepts with these flashcards from Chapter 13. Covering topics such as dyspnea and the areas of the lungs responsible for respiration, this quiz will help reinforce your understanding of critical respiratory terms. Perfect for EMT students looking to master this chapter!