NREMT EMT 4: Patient Treatment and Transport - Medical Emergencies, Respiratory Distress, Diabetic Emergencies, Anaphylaxis, Seizure Management, Stroke Assessment, FAST-ED, Poisonings/Overdoses

Respiratory Distress

What This Is

Respiratory distress is when someone's breathing becomes labored or difficult, often due to a blockage or infection in their airways. Imagine trying to breathe through a straw with a kink in it – that's what it's like for someone with respiratory distress.

Key Steps / Core Facts

• Assess airway: Check if the person's airway is clear (no blockage). If not, try to remove any obstructions. (OPQRSTI)
• Check breathing rate: Count how many breaths per minute. Normal is 12-20 breaths/min. Less than 8 or more than 30 is abnormal.
• Oxygen saturation: Use a pulse oximeter to check the person's oxygen levels. Normal is 95-100%.
• Respiratory effort: Check if the person is using accessory muscles (neck, chest) to breathe. If so, it's a sign of distress.
• Position: Place the person in a comfortable position, often sitting upright with their head slightly elevated.
• Monitor: Keep a close eye on the person's breathing and oxygen levels.
• Call for help: If the person's condition worsens or doesn't improve, call 911 or your local emergency number.
• CPR: If the person stops breathing, start CPR (30:2 ratio).
• Medications: Administer oxygen and possibly bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol) if prescribed.

What Laypeople Can Do

• If someone is having trouble breathing, help them sit up and lean forward to open their airway.
• If the person is unconscious, start CPR (30:2 ratio).
• If the person is having a severe asthma attack, help them use their inhaler and call 911.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Not checking the person's airway first.
• Fix: Always check the airway before assessing breathing.
• Mistake: Not calling for help soon enough.
• Fix: Call 911 or your local emergency number as soon as possible.
• Mistake: Not using a pulse oximeter to check oxygen levels.
• Fix: Use a pulse oximeter to monitor the person's oxygen levels.

Quick Practice Scenarios

A 65-year-old woman is having trouble breathing after a cold. What should you do first?

Call 911 and help her sit up and lean forward to open her airway.

A 25-year-old man is having a severe asthma attack. What should you do first?

Help him use his inhaler and call 911.

A 3-year-old child is having trouble breathing after a cold. What should you do first?

Call 911 and help the child sit up and lean forward to open their airway.

Last?Minute Exam Cram

• Normal breathing rate: 12-20 breaths/min.
• Less than 8 or more than 30 breaths/min is abnormal.
• Oxygen saturation: 95-100%.
• Pulse oximeter: checks oxygen levels in the blood.
• OPQRSTI: mnemonic for assessing respiratory distress.
• Bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol): medications for asthma attacks.
• CPR ratio: 30:2 (30 chest compressions, 2 breaths).
• Agonal breathing is NOT normal breathing – start CPR.