The document provides an overview of managing various respiratory disorders including maintaining the airway, supporting breathing, administering oxygen, and treating specific conditions like asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, and pneumothorax. Assessment involves focused history and physical exam to identify underlying causes and guide treatment. Management focuses on oxygenation, ventilation support, establishing IV access, and administering medications as appropriate for each condition.
2. Management of
Respiratory Disorders
Basic Principles:
Maintain the airway.
Protect the cervical spine if trauma is suspected.
Any patient with respiratory distress should receive
oxygen.
Any patient suspected of being hypoxic should
receive oxygen.
Oxygen should never be withheld from a patient
suspected of suffering from hypoxia.
3. UpperAirway Obstruction
Common Causes
Tongue, foreign matter, trauma, burns
Allergic reaction, infection
Assessment
Differentiate cause
Persistent increases in ETCO2 levels
Management
Conscious Patient
If the patient is able to speak, encourage coughing.
If the patient is unable to speak, perform abdominal thrusts.
4. UpperAirway Obstruction
Unconscious Patient
Open the airway.
Attempt to give two ventilations.
If ventilations fail, reposition the head and reattempt.
Administer chest compressions.
5. UpperAirway Obstruction
Unconscious Patient
Attempt finger sweeps if foreign body is visualized.
If foreign body is removed, resume ventilation.
If unsuccessful, continue abdominal thrusts and sweeps.
Visualize the airway with the laryngoscope.
Remove foreign body with Magill forceps and resume
ventilations.
7. Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Accumulation of pulmonary edema that is caused
by fluid accumulation in the interstitial space
within the lungs
The result of increased vascular permeability
Decreased fluid removal
17. Bronchitis and Emphysema
Management
Maintain airway
CPAP
Support breathing
Monitor oxygen saturation
Be prepared to ventilate or intubate
Monitor cardiac rhythm
Establish IV access
Administer medications
Bronchodilators and corticosteroids
18. Asthma
Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammatory Disorder
Results in widespread but variable air flow obstruction
The airway becomes hyperresponsive
Induced by a trigger, which can vary by individual
Causes release of histamine, causing bronchoconstriction and
bronchial edema
6–8 hours later, immune system cells invade the bronchial
mucosa and cause additional edema
19. Asthma
Assessment
Identify immediate threats
One-to-two-word dyspnea, pulsus paradoxus, tachycardia,
and decreased oxygen saturation
Obtain history
SAMPLE and OPQRST History
History of asthma-related hospitalization?
History of respiratory failure/ventilator use?
20. Asthma
Physical Exam
Presenting signs may include dyspnea, wheezing,
and cough.
Wheezing is not present in all asthmatics.
Speech may be limited to 1–2 consecutive words.
Look for hyperinflation of the chest and accessory
muscle use.
Carefully auscultate breath sounds and measure peak
expiratory flow rate.
22. Asthma
Management
Treatment goals:
Correct hypoxia
Reverse bronchospasm
Reduce inflammation
Maintain the airway
Support breathing
High-flow, high-concentration oxygen or assisted
ventilations as indicated
23. Asthma
Monitor cardiac rhythm
Establish IV access
Administer medications:
Beta-agonists
Ipratropium bromide
Corticosteroids
24. Special Cases of Asthma
Status Asthmaticus
A severe, prolonged attack that cannot be broken by
bronchodilators
Greatly diminished breath sounds
Recognize imminent respiratory arrest
Aggressively manage airway and breathing
Transport immediately
Asthma in Children
Pathophysiology and management similar
Adjust medication dosages as needed
25. Upper Respiratory
Infection (URI)
Upper Respiratory Infections
Frequent patient complaint
Common pediatric complaint
Rarely life threatening
Pathophysiology
Frequently caused by viral and bacterial infections
Affect multiple parts of the upper airway
Typically resolve after several days of symptoms
26. Upper Respiratory
Infection (URI)
Assessment
Look for underlying illness
Evaluate pediatrics for epiglottitis
Management
Maintain the airway
Support breathing
Treat signs and symptoms
27. Pneumonia
Infection of the Lungs
Pathophysiology
Bacterial andViral Infections
Hospital-acquired vs. community-acquired
Infection can spread throughout lungs
Alveoli may collapse, resulting in a ventilation
disorder
28. Pneumonia
Assessment
Focused History and Physical Exam
SAMPLE and OPQRST
Recent fever, chills, weakness, and malaise
Deep, productive cough with associated pain
Tachypnea and tachycardia may be present
Breath sounds:
Presence of crackles in affected lung segments
Decreased air movement in the affected lung
29. Pneumonia
Management
Maintain the airway
Support breathing
High-flow, high-concentration oxygen or assisted ventilation
as indicated
Monitor vital signs
Establish IV access
Avoid fluid overload
Medications
Antibiotics, antipyretics, beta-agonists
30. Lung Cancer
Pathophysiology
General
The primary problem is disruption of diffusion
May also be alterations in ventilation by obstruction
Majority are caused by carcinogens secondary to cigarette
smoking or occupational exposure
May start elsewhere and spread to lungs
High mortality
31. Lung Cancer
Assessment
Focused History and Physical Exam
SAMPLE and OPQRST History
Cancer-related treatments and hospitalizations
Physical Exam
Evaluate for severe respiratory distress
Management
Follow general principles
Administer oxygen, support ventilation
Provide emotional support
32. Toxic Inhalation
Pathophysiology
Includes inhalation of heated air, chemical irritants,
and steam
Airway obstruction due to edema and laryngospasm
due to thermal and chemical burns
Assessment
Focused History and Physical Exam
SAMPLE and OPQRST History
Determine nature of substance
Length of exposure and loss of consciousness
33. Toxic Inhalation
Management
Ensure scene safety
Enter a scene only if properly trained and equipped
Remove the patient from the toxic environment
Maintain the airway
Early, aggressive management may be indicated
Support breathing
Establish IV access
Transport promptly
34. Carbon Monoxide Inhalation
Carbon Monoxide
Odorless, Colorless Gas
Results from the combustion of carbon-containing
compounds
Often builds up to dangerous levels in confined spaces such
as mines, autos, and poorly ventilated homes
Suicide attempts
Hazardous to firefighters and rescue personnel
35. Carbon Monoxide Inhalation
Pathophysiology
Binds to Hemoglobin
Prevents oxygen from binding and creates hypoxia at the
cellular level
Carboxyhemoglobin
Assessment
Focused History and Physical Exam
SAMPLE and OPQRST History
Determine source and length of exposure
Presence of headache, confusion, agitation, lack of coordination,
loss of consciousness, and seizures
37. Pulmonary Embolism
Pathophysiology
Obstruction of a Pulmonary Artery
Emboli may be of air, thrombus, fat, or amniotic fluid
Foreign bodies may also cause an embolus
Risk Factors
Recent surgery, long-bone fractures, pregnancy,
postpartum, oral contraceptive use, tobacco use
38. Pulmonary Embolism
Assessment
Focused History and Physical Exam
SAMPLE and OPQRST History
Presence of risk factors
Sudden onset of severe dyspnea and pain
Cough, often blood-tinged
Physical Exam
Signs of heart failure, including JVD and hypotension
Warm, swollen extremities
39. Pulmonary Embolism
Management
Maintain the airway
Support breathing
High-flow, high-concentration oxygen or assist ventilations
as indicated
Intubation may be indicated
Establish IV access
Monitor vital signs closely
Transport to appropriate facility
40. Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Pathophysiology
Pneumothorax
Occurs in the absence of blunt or penetrating trauma
Risk Factors
Assessment
Focused History
SAMPLE and OPQRST history
Presence of risk factors
Rapid onset of symptoms
Sharp, pleuritic chest or shoulder pain
Often precipitated by coughing or lifting
41. Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Assessment (cont.)
Physical Exam:
Decreased or absent breath sounds on affected side
Tachypnea, diaphoresis, and pallor
Management
Maintain the airway
Support breathing
Monitor for tension pneumothorax
Pleural decompression may be indicated if patient becomes
cyanotic, hypoxic, and difficult to ventilate
JVD and tracheal deviation away from the affected side
42. Hyperventilation Syndrome
Characterized by rapid breathing, chest pains,
numbness, and other symptoms
Associated with anxiety or situational activity
Many serious medical problems can cause
hyperventilation
43. Hyperventilation Syndrome
Assessment
Focused History and Physical Exam
SAMPLE and OPQRST History
Fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, dyspnea, chest pain
Numbness and tingling in hands, mouth, and feet
Presence of tachypnea and tachycardia
Spasms of the fingers and feet
44. Hyperventilation Syndrome
Management
Maintain the airway
Support breathing
Provide high-flow, high-concentration oxygen or assist
ventilations as indicated
Do not allow the patient to rebreathe exhaled air
Reassure the patient