Questions and Answers
When auscultating the lungs of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear adventitious sounds. This means that the patient has:
Which of the following conditions would LEAST likely result in hypoxia?
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?
Which of the following statements regarding pulse oximetry is correct?
Signup and view all the answers
In order for efficient pulmonary gas exchange to occur:
Signup and view all the answers
The respiratory distress that accompanies emphysema is caused by:
Signup and view all the answers
Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when:
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. You should:
Signup and view all the answers
Asthma is caused by a response of the:
Signup and view all the answers
Albuterol is a generic name for:
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Respiratory Assessment and Conditions
- Adventitious sounds during lung auscultation indicate abnormal breath sounds; they signify irregularities in normal respiratory function.
- Severe anxiety is the least likely condition to cause hypoxia among options like pulmonary edema and pleural effusion.
- Low-pitched "rattling" sounds at the lung bases in elderly patients are most consistent with aspiration pneumonia.
Pulse Oximetry Insights
- Pulse oximeters measure the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen, not the total hemoglobin content in the blood.
- Healthy patients typically maintain good oxygenation with oxygen saturation levels as low as 70% to 80%.
- Caution is required with pulse oximetry in carbon monoxide poisoning due to falsely low readings.
Pulmonary Gas Exchange
- For efficient pulmonary gas exchange, oxygen and carbon dioxide must diffuse freely across the alveolar-capillary membrane.
- Emphysema-related respiratory distress arises from chronic stretching of the alveolar walls, often due to long-term smoking.
Acid-Base Balance
- Alkalosis occurs when excessive breathing reduces blood acidity, while respiratory acidosis is tied to increased carbon dioxide levels.
- Slow, shallow breathing leads to excessive carbon dioxide removal, potentially contributing to alkalosis.
Managing Acute Respiratory Distress
- A patient with congestive heart failure presenting severe respiratory distress and low oxygen saturation should be treated with CPAP to improve oxygenation and monitored for changes.
- Asthma is primarily caused by a response from the immune system, reflecting its role in allergic reactions and airway inflammation.
Medications
- Albuterol, commonly known as Proventil, is a bronchodilator used in asthma treatment.
- A conscious patient with asthma should receive immediate oxygen and possibly further treatment based on ongoing assessment.
Key Takeaways
- Prompt recognition of abnormal lung sounds and diverse causes of respiratory distress can guide effective interventions.
- Understanding pulse oximetry limitations is crucial for accurate assessments, especially in toxicological cases.
- Knowledge of conditions leading to changes in blood pH is important for recognizing respiratory compromise.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 13 of the EMT course. These questions focus on respiratory assessment and related medical conditions, providing a great review tool before your final exam.
