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Respiratory Emergencies
**For most respiratory conditions an EMT should…
Respiratory Emergencies
**For most respiratory conditions an EMT should provide O2 therapy as treatment
Asthma
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Treatment: Bronchodilators, steroids, and anti-inflammatory medications
Description: An acute spasm of the bronchioles associated with excessive mucous production and swelling as a result of an allergic reaction or exaggerated response to the body's immune system
Pulmonary Embolus
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Assessment findings: Dyspnea, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypoxia, cyanosis, acute chest pain, and hemoptysis.
Description: Blood clot formed in a vein that becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery, significantly decreasing or blocking blood flow.
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Pneumothorax
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Assessment findings: Sudden chest pain with dyspnea, decreased breath sounds on affected side, and subcutaneous emphysema. Possible JVD and cyanosis.
Description: Partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space causing vacuum-like pressure.
Epiglottitis
Assessment findings: Dyspnea, high fever, stridor, drooling, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, tripod or sniffing position.
Treatment: Position of comfort, high flow O2, and antibiotics.
Description: Life-threatening inflammatory disease most commonly caused by bacterial infection of the epiglottis.
Influenza Type A (Flu)
Treatment: Antiviral drugs, cough medication, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Assessment findings: Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue. Possible pneumonia and dehydration.
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Anaphylaxis
Assessment Findings: Flushed skin or hives (urticaria)
Generalized edema
Decreased blood pressure
Laryngeal edema with dyspnea
Wheezing or stridor
Treatment: EpiPen, oxygen, and antihistamines
Description: Anaphylaxis is the result of an allergic reaction to an inhaled, ingested, or injected substance
Bronchiolitis
Assessment Findings: Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, fever, dehydration, tachypnea, tachycardia
Treatment: O2 therapy, allow PT to remain in position of comfort, airway management, and positive-pressure ventilation if respiratory failure develops
Description: Respiratory illness often occurring due to RSV infection resulting in severe infection of the bronchioles
Bronchitis
Assessment Findings: Chronic cough with sputum production, wheezing, cyanosis, tachypnea
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Treatment: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and cough medicine
Congestive Heart Failure
Assessment Findings: Dependent edema, crackles (pulmonary edema), orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Treatment: Diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, anti hypertensive drugs, and vasodilators
Description: A weakness of the heart that leads to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and surrounding body tissues
Common Cold
Assessment findings: Cough, Running or stuffy nose, and sore throat.
Treatment: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, antihistamines, and cough medication.
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Croup
Assessment findings: Fever, Barking cough, Stridor, and mostly seen in pediatric PT's.
Description: Inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea. Secondary to an acute viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Typically seen in children between 6 months and 3 years old.
Treatment: Administration of humidified O2. Note that bronchodilators are contraindicated for this condition.
Diphtheria
Assessment findings: Difficulty breathing and swallowing, sore throat, thick, gray buildup in throat or nose, and fever.
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Description: An acute, highly contagious bacterial disease causing inflammation of mucous membranes.
Emphysema
Assessment findings: Barrel chest, pursed lip breathing, dyspnea on exertion, cyanosis, wheezing, and decreased breath sounds.
Treatment: Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory meds.
Description: Condition in which alveoli are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness.
Tension Pneumothorax
Assessment Findings: Severe shortness of breath, decreased / altered level of consciousness, neck vein distention, tracheal deviation (late sign), hypotension; signs of shock (late sign)
Description: A life threatening condition that develops when air is trapped in the plural cavity under positive pressure, displacing mediastinal structures and compromising cardio pulmonary function
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Tuberculosis (TB)
Assessment Findings: Cough, fever, fatigue, productive / bloody sputum
Treatment: Antibiotics, isoniazid
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Allergic Rhinitis
Assessment Findings: Runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and sinus pressure
Treatment: Steroid, antihistamines, bronchodilator
Description: Allergic response to outdoor airborne allergens such as pollen or indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander
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