Questions and Answers
Your patient has a chronic respiratory condition. His stimulus to breathe is triggered by low oxygen levels in the blood. This is known as the ___________.
hypoxic drive
Which of the following must be assessed in every respiratory patient?
lung sounds
Crackles (rales) are caused by _________.
air passing through fluid
"PASTE" is an alternate assessment tool for ___________.
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Which of the following is a genetic disorder that predisposes the patient to repeated lung infections?
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In what area of the lungs does respiration occur?
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In order for efficient pulmonary gas exchange to occur:
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Which of the following is MOST characteristic of adequate breathing?
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Which of the following conditions would be LEAST likely to result in hypoxia?
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What is the MOST likely cause of the 59-year-old male's condition with emphysema?
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Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) would MOST likely be contraindicated in which of the following situations?
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Asthma is caused by a response of the:
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What is the MOST important treatment for the patient with acute shortness of breath and wheezing?
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When auscultating the lungs of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear adventitious sounds. This means that the patient has:
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While auscultating an elderly woman's breath sounds, which condition is MOST consistent with low-pitched 'rattling' sounds?
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You are assisting an asthma patient with his prescribed metered-dose inhaler. After the patient takes a deep breath and depresses the inhaler, what should you instruct him to do?
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A pleural effusion is MOST accurately defined as:
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What is the likely condition of the 3-year-old male suffering from severe shortness of breath and making high-pitched noises?
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Based on the auscultation findings, the patient is most likely suffering from:
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What is the likely condition of the 54-year-old female patient in the homeless shelter with cough and green sputum?
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Dyspnea is MOST accurately defined as:
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When the level of arterial carbon dioxide rises above normal, what happens?
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An alert patient has a regular pattern of inhalation and exhalation with clear breath sounds. These findings are consistent with:
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Which of the following statements regarding the hypoxic drive is correct?
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When administering supplemental oxygen to a hypoxemic patient with a chronic lung disease, you should: __________.
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Acute pulmonary edema would MOST likely develop as the result of:
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Hyperventilation could be associated with all of the following, EXCEPT:
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Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when:
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Common signs and symptoms of acute hyperventilation syndrome include:
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What should you do for a 21-year-old female who has apparently overdosed and is semiconscious with slow, shallow respirations?
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A 22-year-old female patient is complaining of dyspnea and numbness and tingling in her hands and feet after an argument. What should you do?
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A 62-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure presents with severe respiratory distress. What should you do?
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Study Notes
Respiratory Emergencies Overview
- Chronic respiratory conditions can trigger breathing based on low oxygen levels, known as hypoxic drive.
- Lung sounds are essential to assess in all respiratory patients to diagnose conditions.
Common Respiratory Sounds
- Crackles (rales) indicate air passing through fluid in the lungs.
- Abnormal breath sounds, or adventitious sounds, suggest respiratory distress or complications.
Assessment Tools and Methods
- PASTE is a useful tool for evaluating respiratory patients.
- Adequate breathing is characterized by 24 breaths/min, bilaterally equal breath sounds, and pink skin.
Respiratory Conditions
- Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder leading to frequent lung infections.
- Respiration occurs primarily in the alveoli, where gas exchange happens across the alveolar-capillary membrane.
Breathing Efficiency
- Efficient gas exchange requires freedom for oxygen and carbon dioxide movement.
- Symptoms of hypoxia are less likely in conditions like severe anxiety.
Specific Patient Cases
- A 59-year-old male with emphysema and unilaterally diminished breath sounds likely faces a spontaneous pneumothorax after a cough.
- CPAP is contraindicated in patients experiencing severe shortness of breath with very low blood pressure.
Medical Treatments
- Asthma is primarily caused by an immune system response.
- For anaphylactic patients showing symptoms such as wheezing and low blood pressure, epinephrine is the critical treatment.
Pediatric Considerations
- In a young child with severe shortness of breath and recent upper respiratory infection symptoms, the likely diagnosis is a viral infection.
- A child with signs of RSV infection and worsening cough is likely suffering from bronchiolitis.
Disease Features
- Tuberculosis can present with cough, night sweats, chest pain, and green sputum in an elderly patient.
- Dyspnea is defined as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Physiology and Responses
- An increase in arterial carbon dioxide raises respiratory rate and depth due to the body’s response to maintain balance.
- Signs of alkalosis arise from reduced blood acidity due to excessive breathing.
Hyperventilation and Overdose Protocols
- Symptoms of acute hyperventilation syndrome include tachypnea and tingling in extremities.
- In cases of narcotic overdose, employ a nasopharyngeal airway and begin assisted ventilation for support.
Psychological Impact
- Emotional distress can lead to hyperventilation, necessitating reassurance and supplemental oxygen.
- For patients with severe respiratory distress from heart failure, employing a CPAP device is crucial while monitoring vital signs.
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Description
Test your knowledge on respiratory emergencies with this EMT Chapter 15 flashcard quiz. Each card covers crucial concepts, definitions, and assessments needed for effective patient care in respiratory conditions. Perfect for EMT students preparing for exams.