EMT Basic · Chapter 16 · Review · Chapter track
Respiratory Emergencies
Referencing the content of EMT-Basic training and emergency patient care
Learning objectives (15)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explain the physiology of respiration; include the signs of normal breathing — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
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.
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.
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.
List the characteristics of infectious diseases that are frequently associated with dyspnea — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 627); confirm wording in your course copy.
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.
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.
Chapter web resources
Optional reading from authoritative sites. Your textbook remains the primary source for this course.
- MedlinePlus breathing problems · NIH
Respiratory distress patterns
- CDC asthma emergency · CDC
Asthma exacerbation context
When sources disagree (5 topics to verify before you teach from this chapter alone)
Showing Chapter track material. Switch tracks on the chapter page.
Vocabulary · 11
Asthma
A chronic disease that inflames and narrows the airways, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.
SourceNIH NHLBI — What is asthma?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A group of progressive lung diseases — including emphysema and chronic bronchitis — that block airflow and make breathing difficult.
SourceNIH NHLBI — COPD — what it is
Pneumonia
An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid.
SourceAmerican Lung Association — Pneumonia — learn about
Pulmonary embolism (PE)
A blockage in a pulmonary artery, usually caused by a blood clot that traveled from the legs (deep vein thrombosis).
SourceNIH MedlinePlus — Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary edema
Fluid accumulation in the air spaces of the lungs, most often from left-sided heart failure.
SourceAmerican Heart Association — Pulmonary edema
Bronchospasm
A sudden constriction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchioles, narrowing the lower airways.
SourceMerriam-Webster Medical Dictionary — Bronchospasm
Wheezing
A high-pitched, whistling sound during breathing caused by narrowed lower airways.
SourceAmerican Lung Association — Wheezing
Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
A handheld pressurized device that delivers a measured dose of medication as a fine spray into the lungs.
SourceNIH MedlinePlus — How to use an inhaler — with a spacer
Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid breathing.
SourceMerriam-Webster Medical Dictionary — Tachypnea
Hyperventilation
Rapid or deep breathing that exceeds metabolic needs and lowers blood carbon dioxide levels.
SourceMerriam-Webster Medical Dictionary — Hyperventilation
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure — a noninvasive ventilation method that delivers a steady stream of pressurized air to keep the airways open.
SourceAmerican Lung Association — CPAP therapy
Sequences · 2
- Assisting a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) — Order the steps for assisting a patient with their prescribed MDI.
- Worsening respiratory distress — EMT priorities — Order the EMT priorities as a patient deteriorates from distress toward failure.