16 Questions
Which respiratory illness is primarily caused by RSV and often mistaken for asthma in infants?
Bronchiolitis
What is the distinctive 'seal bark' cough associated with?
Pertussis
Which respiratory infection is more common in premature infants and young children with weakened immune systems?
Bronchiolitis
What is the 8th leading cause of death in the US, resulting from lung infections?
Pneumonia
Which respiratory illness is characterized by severe coughing spells and turning red or purple due to prolonged coughing?
Pertussis
Which respiratory condition presents with airway swelling and obstruction and is often bacterial in origin?
Epiglottitis
What is the main focus of treatment for patients with heart failure?
Managing the underlying condition
What is the most appropriate initial management for spontaneous pneumothorax?
Providing oxygen and ventilatory support
What is a common symptom of heart failure that can lead to flash pulmonary edema?
Pink frothy sputum
How should upper airway obstruction be managed if the patient is able to talk and breathe?
Provide supplemental oxygen and transport
What is a key symptom that should raise suspicion of a pulmonary embolism?
Chest pain
In cases of hyperventilation, what is rarely required for treatment?
Circulatory support
What is the primary intervention for tracheostomy dysfunction?
Suctioning if necessary
In a suspected case of pneumonia with high fever, what should be considered for management?
Consider IV fluids
For a patient with epiglottitis, what should be avoided during treatment?
Agitating the patient
What are the emergency warning signs associated with COVID-19?
Difficulty breathing and chest pain
Study Notes
- Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the bronchioles primarily caused by RSV, affecting infants and young children under 2 years old. It presents with symptoms similar to asthma, especially in infants with first-time wheezing in late fall or winter.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of lung infections in young children, leading to illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia, particularly risky for premature infants and children with weakened immune systems.
- Croup is caused by inflammation of the larynx and trachea, mostly affecting children between 6 months to 3 years old. It starts with cold symptoms and a distinctive "seal bark" cough, with peak outbreaks in late fall and winter.
- Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis, often bacterial in origin, causing severe airway swelling and obstruction, predominantly seen in children but can occur at any age.
- Pneumonia, the 8th leading cause of death in the US, results from lung infections and poses a significant risk for young children and older adults, potentially leading to systemic complications like sepsis and septic shock if untreated.
- Pertussis is an airborne bacterial infection affecting children under 6 years, highly contagious through droplets, characterized by severe coughing spells, turning red or purple due to prolonged coughing.
- Heart failure can lead to pulmonary edema due to the heart's inability to meet the body's oxygen needs, particularly in patients with a history of chronic heart failure, hypertension, or coronary artery disease.
- Wet lungs indicate pulmonary edema with fluid accumulation, while dry lungs are associated with conditions like COPD. Treatment should focus on managing the underlying condition rather than just addressing breath sounds.
- Patient assessment involves ensuring scene safety, identifying life-threatening conditions during the primary survey (ABCs), and evaluating circulation, shock, and bleeding. Reassessment should occur frequently, adjusting interventions as needed.
- Medical care includes providing oxygen to maintain saturation levels, administering IV fluids cautiously to prevent pulmonary edema, using nebulizers for delivering liquid medications, and monitoring patients for respiratory distress.
- Specific conditions like asthma, COPD, aspiration, and anaphylaxis require tailored interventions such as assisting with inhalers, maintaining airway patency, administering oxygen, and considering early paramedic backup for severe cases.- Spontaneous pneumothorax: ABCs management, provide oxygen and ventilatory support, consider IV initiation, transport in a position of comfort
- Pleural fusion: ultimate treatment is removal of fluid collected outside the lung, provide oxygen and routine support measures, transport
- Pulmonary embolism: manage airway, give high flow oxygen, assist ventilation as needed, initiate CPR if cardiac arrest, establish IV, provide supportive interventions
- Hyperventilation: can be caused by life-threatening illness or panic attack, treat with supplemental oxygen and transport, circulatory support and pharmacologic intervention rarely required
- Upper airway obstruction: partial or complete obstruction, provide supplemental oxygen and transport if patient can talk and breathe, remove obstructing body if present
- Industrial site incidents: after decontamination, gather information on substance and cause of dyspnea, provide 100% oxygen, aggressive airway management if upper airway compromised
- Bronchiolitis and RSV: supportive treatment, position of comfort, oxygen therapy, rapid transport if nebulized epinephrine administered according to local protocol
- Epiglottitis: treat gently, position of comfort, high flow oxygen, avoid agitating the patient, do not put anything in the patient's mouth
- Pneumonia: monitor ABCs, consider IV fluids if fever present, cool the patient and transport
- Heart failure: triggers flash pulmonary edema, signs of respiratory distress and pink frothy sputum from mouth, provide Airway, ventilatory, and circulatory support, consider CPAP
- Tracheostomy dysfunction: clear obstruction, establish pain in Airway, position of comfort, suction if necessary, consider paramedic intervention if unable to clear airway, oxygenate the patient and treat based on presentation
- Epidemic and pandemic considerations: understanding the difference between epidemic and pandemic, respiratory diseases can spread through respiratory route, wear PPE, frequent handwashing, maintain vaccinations, place surgical mask on patients with respiratory diseases
- COVID-19: contagious respiratory illness, spread through respiratory droplets, symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure, emergency warning signs include difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, and cyanosis, older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions at higher risk, practice good hygiene and social distancing, wear appropriate PPE
- Proper PPE usage: wear N95 or higher level respirator, eye protection, disposable gloves, and disposable gown if needed, follow donning and doffing procedures, have sick patients wear masks, treat symptoms and provide comfort measures
Test your knowledge on common respiratory emergencies affecting children and adults, including bronchiolitis, pneumonia, heart failure, pulmonary edema, and conditions like croup, epiglottitis, pertussis, and COPD. Explore assessment, management, and treatment approaches for various respiratory conditions.
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