Deck 17: Respiratory Emergencies

Question 1

A sensation of shortness of breath, a feeling of air hunger accompanied by labored breathing, defines:

A) asthma.
B) dyspnea.
C) respiratory distress.
D) wheezing.

Answer 1

dyspnea.

Question 2

Which of the following would most likely cause True dyspnea?

A) exercise
B) coughing
C) aspiration of a foreign body
D) fatigue

Answer 2

aspiration of a foreign body

Question 3

Which one of the following first aid care procedures would you apply for a victim with dyspnea after checking for aspiration and clearing the airway?

A) treat for shock
B) control bleeding
C) CPR
D) assist with ventilation if needed

Answer 3

assist with ventilation if needed

Question 4

Generally, dyspnea is characterized by________ breathing.

A) deep, labored
B) rapid, shallow
C) slow, deep
D) slow, labored

Question 5

A respiratory disease characterized by inelastic, distended alveoli is:

A) asthma.
B) chronic bronchitis.
C) dyspnea.
D) emphysema.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a sign or symptom of emphysema?

A) barrel-shaped chest
B) lungs remain expanded even after exhalation
C) evidence of weight loss
D) a chronic cyanotic (blue) complexion

Question 7

"Pink puffers" refers to victims of:

A) emphysema.
B) chronic bronchitis.
C) asthma.
D) hyperventilation.

Question 8

A productive cough that has persisted for at least 3 months out of the year over the past 2 consecutive years would indicate:

A) emphysema.
B) chronic bronchitis.
C) asthma.
D) pneumonia.

Question 9

Typical victims of chronic bronchitis are invariably:

A) male.
B) over 40 years old.
C) heavy cigarette smokers.
D) nutritionally deficient.

Question 10

The term "blue bloaters" refers to victims of:

A) dyspnea.
B) emphysema.
C) chronic bronchitis.
D) asthma.

Question 11

Which of the following is not a sign or symptom of chronic bronchitis?

A) cyanosis
B) distended neck veins
C) high-pitched wheezing
D) pinkish coloring

Question 12

Coughing that produces thick mucus; swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles; and low-pitched snoring sounds during inhalation and exhalation are all signs and symptoms of:

A) emphysema.
B) chronic bronchitis.
C) asthma.
D) pneumonia.

Question 13

The number-one goal of first aid care for victims with COPD is to:

A) enhance oxygenation.
B) loosen restrictive clothing.
C) increase circulation.
D) provide CPR.

Question 14

A reaction to dust or pollen, often seasonal and occurring most often in children, describes which of the following types of asthma?

A) intrinsic
B) acute
C) extrinsic
D) status asthmaticus

Question 15

The alveoli have become inelastic, distended, and trap air, which is no longer able to get into the bloodstream. This process occurs in:

A) bronchitis.
B) emphysema.
C) asthma.
D) hyperventilation.

Question 16

Which of the following is not a sign/symptom of asthma?

A) a mucus-producing cough
B) rapid, shallow respirations
C) whistling, high-pitched wheezing during exhalation
D) rapid pulse

Question 17

Which of the following is not a reliable sign of status asthmaticus?

A) extremely labored breathing
B) bluish discoloration of the skin
C) exhaustion
D) wheezing

Question 18

A severe, prolonged asthma attack that does not respond to aggressive treatment is:

A) acute asthma.
B) intrinsic asthma.
C) extrinsic asthma.
D) status asthmaticus.

Question 19

Which of the following is not part of the first aid care of an asthma victim?

A) keep the victim in a position of comfort
B) refrain from giving the victim anything by mouth
C) keep the victim as calm as possible
D) activate the EMS system

Question 20

In pneumonia, which part of the respiratory system fills with fluid or pus?

A) trachea
B) bronchi
C) bronchioles
D) alveoli

Question 21

Almost all asthma attacks involve:

A) bronchospasm.
B) hyperventilation.
C) carpopedal spasm.
D) stridor.

Question 22

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia depend on:

A) the age of the victim.
B) the medical history of the victim.
C) what caused the pneumonia.
D) the lobe of the lung that is affected.

Question 23

Which of the following is a sign or symptom of pneumonia?

A) a dry, unproductive cough
B) cold, moist skin
C) chest pain
D) a chronic cyanotic (blue) complexion

Question 24

A fever usually exceeding 101°F and chills that "shake the bed" are symptoms of:

A) pneumonia.
B) status asthmaticus.
C) chronic bronchitis.
D) emphysema.

Question 25

The causes of hyperventilation syndrome usually involve:

A) fatigue.
B) anxiety or emotional stress.
C) overexertion.
D) isolated chest injury.

Question 26

"Overbreathing" is associated with which one of the following conditions?

A) pneumonia
B) asthma
C) hyperventilation
D) emphysema

Question 27

Which of the following is not a sign or symptom of hyperventilation syndrome?

A) blurring of vision
B) abdominal discomfort or bloating
C) tightness or a "lump" in the throat
D) unequal pupils

Question 28

Which of the following is not proper first aid care for a victim with hyperventilation?

A) remain calm and assuring
B) have the victim breathe into a paper bag
C) transport the victim to an emergency room
D) talk the victim into slowing the breathing rate

Question 29

Hyperventilation involves breathing at a rate faster than:

A) 25 breaths/minute.
B) 30 breaths/minute.
C) 40 breaths/minute.
D) 60 breaths/minute.

Question 30

When you hyperventilate, you breathe:

A) too slowly and too shallowly.
B) too rapidly and too deeply.
C) too rapidly and too shallowly.
D) too slowly and too deeply.

Question 31

A person who severely hyperventilates can:

A) cough up blood.
B) sneeze.
C) become hypoxic.
D) faint.

Question 32

Without enough oxygen, certain cells in the body can die within minutes.

Question 33

People diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease typically have emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both.

Question 34

Because victims of emphysema are usually cyanotic, they are referred to as "blue bloaters."

Question 35

The most important known factor in COPD is cigarette smoking.

Question 36

The victim of chronic bronchitis usually has a tendency toward associated heart disease and right-heart failure.

Question 37

When a person with COPD is having dyspnea, it is important to activate EMS right away.

Question 38

Intrinsic (nonallergenic) asthma is most common in adults. One cause is in response to emotional stress.

Question 39

If allowed to do so in your area, assist the victim of an acute asthma attack with their asthma medication.

Question 40

It is important to stay calm when caring for a victim with asthma, because stress and emotional intensity can actually worsen the asthma.

Question 41

You can safely assume that a wheezing victim has asthma.

Question 42

A person with pneumonia will generally have a fever over 101 degrees F.

Question 43

Overbreathing increases the carbon dioxide in the blood to an abnormal level, causing hyperventilation.

Question 44

The three goals of first aid care for asthma are to improve oxygenation, relieve bronchospasm, and improve the victim's ventilation.

Question 45

Dyspnea is the least common of all medical complaints in adults.

Question 46

Asthma is characterized by repeated infections, which thicken and distort the lining of the bronchioles, and a characteristic "blue"
color of the body.

Question 47

The treatment of choice for hyperventilation is to have the victim breathe slowly into a paper bag.

Question 48

If hyperventilation is caused by a medical problem, the hyperventilation is relatively benign.

Question 49

Hyperventilation can cause an acid/base imbalance that in turn causes carpopedal spasm of the hands.