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EMT Respiratory Emergencies Study Guide

The document is a study guide on respiratory emergencies, containing a glossary of key terms related to respiratory conditions and treatments. It includes quiz questions and essay prompts that assess understanding of respiratory distress, failure, asthma pathophysiology, and management strategies. The guide aims to provide essential knowledge for recognizing and managing various respiratory emergencies in pediatric and adult patients.

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26 views3 pages

EMT Respiratory Emergencies Study Guide

The document is a study guide on respiratory emergencies, containing a glossary of key terms related to respiratory conditions and treatments. It includes quiz questions and essay prompts that assess understanding of respiratory distress, failure, asthma pathophysiology, and management strategies. The guide aims to provide essential knowledge for recognizing and managing various respiratory emergencies in pediatric and adult patients.

Uploaded by

gloria.jolliff
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Respiratory Emergencies Study Guide

Glossary of Key Terms


 Alveolar Ventilation: The amount of air that reaches the alveoli for gas exchange.
 Agonal Respirations: Shallow, gasping breaths that are infrequent and often ineffective.
 Apnea: The temporary cessation of breathing.
 Aspiration: The inhalation of foreign material, such as food or vomit, into the respiratory tract.
 Barotrauma: Lung injury caused by excessive pressure during positive pressure ventilation.
 Beta2 Agonist: A medication that relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchioles, such as
albuterol.
 Biot's Respirations: Rapid, shallow respirations followed by a period of apnea.
 Blebs: Small, air-filled sacs on the surface of the lungs that can rupture.
 Bronchioles: Small, branching air passages within the lungs.
 Bronchoconstriction: The narrowing of the bronchioles, reducing airflow.
 Bronchodilator: A medication that relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchioles, widening air
passages.
 Capillary Shunting: The process by which blood bypasses the pulmonary capillaries and does
not participate in gas exchange.
 Chemoreceptors: Sensory receptors that detect changes in blood pH, carbon dioxide, and
oxygen levels.
 Chronic Bronchitis: A chronic condition characterized by excessive mucus production, and a
chronic cough.
 CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): A method of ventilation that uses pressure to
keep the airways open.
 Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis): A viral infection that causes inflammation and narrowing of
the upper airway.
 Cushing Reflex: A physiological triad of hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations in
response to rising intracranial pressure.
 Cyanosis: A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by insufficient
oxygen in the blood.
 Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that affects mucus production, leading to respiratory and
digestive issues.
 Dead Air Space: The portion of the respiratory system where no gas exchange occurs.
 Diaphoretic: Sweaty
 Dyspnea: Difficulty or labored breathing.
 Emphysema: A chronic condition characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls, leading to
reduced gas exchange.
 Epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis, which can cause severe upper airway obstruction.
 Eupneic: Normal, unlabored breathing.
 Hemoglobin: The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
 Hypoxia: A condition where the body's tissues do not receive enough oxygen.
 Intercostal Retractions: The pulling in of the skin between the ribs during labored breathing.
 Kussmaul's Respirations: Rapid, deep, and labored respirations that gradually become deeper
and more labored.
 Minute Ventilation: The total volume of air that is inhaled or exhaled per minute.
 Pack-Year History: A method to measure the amount a person has smoked over time (number
of years smoking times packs per day).
 Pertussis: A highly contagious respiratory infection characterized by severe coughing fits and an
inspiratory "whoop" sound.
 Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the lungs.
 Pneumonia: A respiratory infection that inflames the alveoli, causing them to fill with fluid or pus.
 Pneumothorax: The presence of air or gas in the pleural space surrounding the lungs, causing
lung collapse.
 Pulmonary Edema: An accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
 Rales (Crackles): A popping sound heard on inspiration as alveoli inflate.
 Respiratory Arrest: The cessation of breathing.
 Respiratory Distress: Difficulty breathing, but the patient is still able to maintain adequate gas
exchange.
 Respiratory Failure: A condition where the patient is unable to maintain adequate gas
exchange, often resulting in altered mental status.
 Rhonchi: Coarse, rattling lung sounds often caused by mucus or fluid in the larger airways.
 SpO2: Oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry.
 Stretch Receptors: Sensory receptors in the lungs that help regulate breathing and prevent
over-inflation.
 Stridor: A high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by turbulent airflow in a partially obstructed
upper airway.
 Tidal Volume: The volume of air inhaled or exhaled in a single breath.
 Upper Airway Obstruction: A blockage of the upper respiratory tract, often by a foreign body,
swelling, or the tongue.
 Wheezes: High-pitched whistling sounds often caused by constricted or narrowed airways.

Quiz
1. A 7-month-old with a history of asthma is unresponsive with pale, moist conjunctiva and faint
upper chest wheezes. Why is assisting ventilation the primary treatment?
2. A 12-year-old presents with rhonchi, a cough and difficulty breathing. How do you differentiate
between respiratory distress and respiratory failure in this scenario?
3. An 8-year-old who is difficult to rouse has faint upper lung wheezes, and no sounds in lower lung
fields. Why is this considered respiratory failure rather than respiratory distress?
4. A 10-year-old has difficulty breathing after mixing chemicals, with watery eyes. What does this
indicate about the route of exposure to the irritant?
5. An 11-year-old with cystic fibrosis is coughing up thick mucus and is hypoxic. What is the primary
management of this patient's respiratory condition?
6. A 9-year-old with mouth burns from inhaling steam is drooling and cannot swallow. Why is it
critical to manage this patient’s airway immediately?
7. A 6-month-old has decreased respiratory rate, mental status changes, and hypoxia. What does
this presentation indicate about the progression of the patient's condition?
8. A 13-year-old has a cough with an inspiratory whoop and rhonchi. What is the primary
intervention for this patient's respiratory distress?
9. A 15-year-old is wheezing after an asthma attack, and her SpO2 is low. Why is using her metered
dose inhaler more appropriate than merely administering oxygen?
10. An adult is snoring, and the airway appears to be partially occluded. What is the most likely cause
of this condition?

Essay Questions
1. Compare and contrast respiratory distress and respiratory failure, including specific assessment
findings and management strategies for both pediatric and adult patients.
2. Discuss the pathophysiology of asthma, including the mechanisms that lead to
bronchoconstriction and mucus production, and outline how beta2 agonists help alleviate the
patient's symptoms.
3. Describe the differences in assessment and management of upper versus lower airway
emergencies, and provide examples of conditions that fall into each category for both pediatric
and adult patients.
4. Explain the process of alveolar ventilation, detailing the factors that affect its effectiveness, and
how various respiratory conditions impact this process.
5. Discuss the appropriate steps in the management of respiratory arrest, highlighting the
importance of airway management, ventilation techniques, and the indications for supplemental
oxygen use.

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