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Referencing the content of EMT-Basic training and emergency patient care

EMT Basic · Chapter 16

Respiratory Emergencies

Learning objectives (15)

  1. Demonstrate how to use the OPQRST assessment to obtain more specific information about a patient’s breathing problem — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 628); confirm wording in your course copy.
  2. Demonstrate how to use the PASTE assessment to obtain more specific information about a patient’s breathing problem — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 628); confirm wording in your course copy.
  3. Demonstrate the process of history taking to obtain more information related to a patient’s chief complaint based on a case scenario — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 628); confirm wording in your course copy.
  4. Describe different respiratory conditions that cause dyspnea, including their causes, assess- ment findings and symptoms, complications, and specific prehospital management and tra — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
  5. Describe the assessment of a patient who is in respiratory distress and the relationship of the assessment findings to patient management and transport decisions — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 628); confirm wording in your course copy.
  6. Describe the primary emergency medical care of a person who is in respiratory distress — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 628); confirm wording in your course copy.
  7. Discuss some pandemic considerations related to the spread of influenza type A and coronavirus and strategies EMTs should employ to protect themselves from infection during a possi — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
  8. Discuss the pathophysiology of respiration, including examples of the common signs and symptoms a patient with inadequate breathing may present with in an emergency situation — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
  9. Explain the physiology of respiration; include the signs of normal breathing — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
  10. Explain the special patient assessment and care considerations that are required for geriatric patients who are experiencing respiratory distress — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
  11. Explain the special patient assessment and care considerations that are required for pediatric patients who are experiencing respiratory distress — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
  12. List five different types of adventitious breath sounds, their signs and symptoms, and the disease process associated with each one — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 628); confirm wording in your course copy.
  13. List the characteristics of infectious diseases that are frequently associated with dyspnea — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
  14. List the structures and functions of the upper and lower airways, lungs, and accessory structures of the respiratory system — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
  15. State the generic name, medication forms, dose, administration, indications, actions, and contraindications for medications that are administered via metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) a — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 628); confirm wording in your course copy.

Vocabulary (11)

Asthma
A chronic disease that inflames and narrows the airways, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A group of progressive lung diseases — including emphysema and chronic bronchitis — that block airflow and make breathing difficult.
Pneumonia
An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid.
Pulmonary embolism (PE)
A blockage in a pulmonary artery, usually caused by a blood clot that traveled from the legs (deep vein thrombosis).
Pulmonary edema
Fluid accumulation in the air spaces of the lungs, most often from left-sided heart failure.
Bronchospasm
A sudden constriction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchioles, narrowing the lower airways.
Wheezing
A high-pitched, whistling sound during breathing caused by narrowed lower airways.
Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
A handheld pressurized device that delivers a measured dose of medication as a fine spray into the lungs.
Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid breathing.
Hyperventilation
Rapid or deep breathing that exceeds metabolic needs and lowers blood carbon dioxide levels.
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure — a noninvasive ventilation method that delivers a steady stream of pressurized air to keep the airways open.

Sequence practice (2 puzzles on Quiz Me)

Assisting a metered-dose inhaler (MDI)

Order the steps for assisting a patient with their prescribed MDI.

  1. Confirm medical direction permission and the right medication
  2. Shake the inhaler vigorously several times
  3. Have the patient exhale fully
  4. Have them seal lips around the mouthpiece (or use a spacer)
  5. Press the canister as they inhale slowly and deeply
  6. Have them hold the breath ~10 seconds, then reassess
Worsening respiratory distress — EMT priorities

Order the EMT priorities as a patient deteriorates from distress toward failure.

  1. Position of comfort (usually upright)
  2. Apply high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather
  3. Assist with prescribed inhaler if permitted
  4. Assist ventilations with BVM if breathing becomes inadequate
  5. Rapid transport to definitive care

Quick fire sample (11 of 11 on Quiz Me)

A chronic disease that inflames and narrows the airways, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.
  1. Pulmonary edema
  2. Asthma
  3. Pneumonia
  4. Wheezing
A group of progressive lung diseases — including emphysema and chronic bronchitis — that block airflow and make breathing difficult.
  1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  2. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
  3. Tachypnea
  4. Hyperventilation
An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid.
  1. Pneumonia
  2. Pulmonary edema
  3. Tachypnea
  4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A blockage in a pulmonary artery, usually caused by a blood clot that traveled from the legs (deep vein thrombosis).
  1. Pneumonia
  2. Pulmonary edema
  3. Pulmonary embolism (PE)
  4. Wheezing
Fluid accumulation in the air spaces of the lungs, most often from left-sided heart failure.
  1. Pulmonary edema
  2. Wheezing
  3. Pneumonia
  4. CPAP
A sudden constriction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchioles, narrowing the lower airways.
  1. CPAP
  2. Hyperventilation
  3. Asthma
  4. Bronchospasm
A high-pitched, whistling sound during breathing caused by narrowed lower airways.
  1. Tachypnea
  2. Pulmonary embolism (PE)
  3. Bronchospasm
  4. Wheezing
A handheld pressurized device that delivers a measured dose of medication as a fine spray into the lungs.
  1. Pulmonary edema
  2. Tachypnea
  3. CPAP
  4. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
Abnormally rapid breathing.
  1. Pulmonary embolism (PE)
  2. Tachypnea
  3. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
  4. Asthma
Rapid or deep breathing that exceeds metabolic needs and lowers blood carbon dioxide levels.
  1. Pulmonary edema
  2. Hyperventilation
  3. Asthma
  4. Bronchospasm
Continuous positive airway pressure — a noninvasive ventilation method that delivers a steady stream of pressurized air to keep the airways open.
  1. Hyperventilation
  2. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
  3. Bronchospasm
  4. CPAP

Some topics in this course differ across field references. See when sources disagree on Quiz Me before you teach from this sheet alone.

Full scored drills are on Quiz Me at /courses/nm-emt-b/chapters/16/print/. Answers are not marked on this sheet.