1. Chapter Respiratory Emergencies Thirteen

3. R ESPIRATORY SYSTEM

4. Respiratory System

7. Process of Respiration

17. Inadequate Breathing: Infants and Children Retractions Nasal Flaring See-Saw Breathing Diaphragmatic Breathing

21. The concept of adequate vs. inadequate breathing is one that must be stressed to new EMT-Bs. The mere thought of providing artificial ventilation to a person who has some respiratory effort is confusing. Ventilating a nonbreathing patient is difficult, let alone one who is breathing. Explain to new EMT-Bs that they should work with the patient’s respiratory effort and coach the patient when appropriate. P RECEPTOR P EARL

22. Breathing Difficulty A chief complaint representing a patient’s feeling of labored or difficult breathing K EY TERM

27. Signs of Breathing Difficulty

28. Sign of Breathing Difficulty Tripod Position

32. Prescribed Inhaler

37. Obtain orders from medical direction.

39. Right Patient? Right Medication? Right Dose? Right Route? Right Time? Right Documentation?

40. Shake vigorously.

42. Depress handheld inhaler as patient inhales deeply. Instruct patient to hold breath.

43. Allow patient to breathe. Repeat dose if ordered. Reevaluate patient.

44. Spacer Device

49. 1. Describe signs of adequate and inadequate breathing. 2. Explain the indications and contraindications of a prescribed inhaler. 3. List the “rights” of medication administration. R EVIEW QUESTIONS