1 Respiratory Assessment and Stabilization Free Online FlashCards

What does ABCDE stand for?

Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure.

What findings can suggest an obstructed airway?

Snoring, gurgling, stridor, choking, secretions, swelling, or reduced consciousness can indicate obstruction.

What should a breathing assessment include?

Assess respiratory rate, depth and pattern; work of breathing; chest movement and air entry; and oxygen saturation alongside the patient’s condition.

Why can a silent chest be dangerous in severe asthma?

In severe asthma, markedly reduced air movement or a silent chest can signal critical airflow obstruction.

How do oxygenation and ventilation differ?

Oxygenation transfers oxygen into blood; ventilation moves air to remove carbon dioxide. A patient may have a problem with either or both.

What can a pulse oximeter not measure?

A pulse oximeter estimates oxygen saturation; it does not measure carbon dioxide or show how hard someone is working to breathe.

What oxygen saturation targets are recommended for most adults and for COPD?

For most acute-care adults, the target is $94\text{–}98\%$; for patients with COPD, it is $88\text{–}92\%$. Follow a prescribed target or local protocol when applicable.

How do common oxygen delivery devices differ in use?

Nasal cannulae are commonly used for lower supplemental needs, face masks for greater needs, and reservoir masks for high-concentration oxygen in an emergency. Choose according to severity, target, and setting.

Why may a quieter, less agitated patient be worsening?

Increasing effort followed by diminishing effort, exhaustion, altered consciousness, falling saturation, or rising oxygen needs can signal impending failure. Becoming quieter may reflect fatigue, not recovery.

When should help be called during respiratory stabilization?

Call for help early when distress is severe, consciousness is altered, or observations worsen; a team can assess, monitor, and prepare equipment in parallel.

What ventilation support may be needed when breathing is inadequate?

If breathing is absent or inadequate, a trained responder may need to provide emergency bag-mask ventilation while summoning advanced help.

What should happen after an intervention, and what should a handover include?

Repeat ABCDE after interventions and whenever the patient changes. Communicate the trend, oxygen device and requirement, key findings, interventions, and response using a structured handover such as SBAR.