Question

Sim: Respiratory Arrest Marcus Lewis Setting: Emergency department Age/gender: 54 years/M Chief complaint: Difficulty breathing Story: Neighbor brought the patient to the hospital because of difficulty breathing. On the way to the ED, the patient became unresponsive and stopped breathing. Loading simulation.. 60% Continue Type here to search

Answer 1

#. Respiratory arrest:-

It is a condition in which either breathing stops or is inadequate.

#. 5 Causes of respiratory arrest are:-

1. Obstruction of airways - Tongue, Maxillo-facial injuries, blood, vomit, foreign bodies, suffocation, external pressure to the neck, drowning, internal swelling.

2. Chest or lung trauma - External compression or blast injuries

3. Paralysis of respiratory nerves or muscles - Electrocution, head or spinal injury, poisons, drugs, disease

4. Non-oxygen atmospheres - Gases, chemical fumes, smoke, altitude

5. Lung disease and illness - Emphysema, pulmonary edema, acute pneumonia, asthma/bronchitis, continuous fits

#. Signs of mechanical or obstructive respiratory arrest

Difficult & noisy breathing

Cyanosis

Dilated pupils

Congestion of the veins in the head and neck

Fits

Gradual Loss of consciousness

Petechial Haemorrhages - skin/eyes

#..Signs of paralytic origin respiratory arrest

Progressive deterioration in rate and depth of breathing

Increasing cyanosis

dilated pupils

The gradual loss of consciousness

#. S&S of opioid (Narcotics/drugs) overdose

Respiratory depression

Hypotension

Circulatory failure

Coma

Convulsions

Renal failure

Pinpoint pupils

Respiratory arrest

#. Management of respiratory arrest

- Airway

- High concentration O2

- Assisted ventilation with BVM 10-12 breaths pm. Considered if: SPO2 <90%, RR <10 or >30, <half or >3 times normal rate, inadequate chest expansion.

- CPR if necessary