BREATHING EMERGENCIES, WOUND
CARE, HEAD, NECK AND SPINAL
INJURIES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Respiratory system - answer-*the diaphragm contracts and relaxes.
*the chest cavity expands and relaxes.
*air moves in and out of the lungs.
*brain cells begin to die after 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen.
Respiratory distress - answer-a person who is having difficulty breathing
Causes of respiratory distress - answer-- hyperventilation
- asthma
- chest trauma
- anaphylaxis
- drug overdose
- certain mental health conditions ( i.e. Panic disorder)
Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress - answer-*shortness of breath or gasping for
breath
*trouble speaking in complete sentences
*wheezing, gurgling, or high-pitched noises
Breathing abnormally (quickly or slowly)
*unusually deep or shallow breathing
*cool, moist skin
*bluish or ashen (grey) skin
*flushed or pale skin
*feelings of fear
*dizziness or light-headedness
Respiratory distress care - answer-1. If the person carries medication for respiratory
distress, offer to help the person take his or her medication.
2. Encourage the person to sit down in a comfortable position (leaning forward may help
make breathing easier).
3. Provide reassurance, as this can help reduce anxiety and help the person control his
or her breathing.
4. Monitor the person's condition and provide continual care until ems personnel arrive.
Respiratory arrest - answer-a person who is not breathing; if a person is in respiratory
arrest, you must begin cpr immediately
,Hyperventilation - answer-when a person breathes too quickly, which upsets the body's
balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Common causes of hyperventilation - answer-* strong emotions such as excitement,
fear or anxiety
*other respiratory conditions
*injuries, especially injuries to the head or chest
*exercise
*life-threatening bleeding
Signs and symptoms of hyperventilation - answer-*rapid, shallow breathing
*a feeling of suffocation or not getting enough air
*fear, anxiety, or confusion
*dizziness
*numbness or tingling of the fingers and toes
*muscle contractions, usually in the hands, feet, arms, and legs
Hyperventilation care - answer-*encourage the person to take controlled breaths by
breathing in slowly, holding his or her breath for a few seconds, and then gradually
exhaling.
*breathing into a paper bag can be unsafe and is not recommended as care for
hyperventilation.
How to recognize breathing problem - answer-a breathing problem can be identified by
watching and listening to the person's breathing and by asking the person how he or
she feels. If a person is having trouble breathing, do not wait to see if his or her
condition improves without intervention—begin providing care immediately
Asthma common causes - answer-triggered by
*air pollution or poor air quality (e.g., cigarette smoke)
*allergies (e.g., to pollen or animals)
*temperature fluctuations, extreme humidity, or extreme dryness
*strong odours (e.g., perfume, cologne, scented cleaning products)
*illness (e.g., colds, flus, and respiratory infections)
*physical activity
*stress or anxiety
Asthma care - answer-*avoid things that trigger your attacks, if possible.
*ensure that your asthma medication is always easily accessible in case of an attack.
*make sure that anyone who supervises the child knows about the condition and how to
help give medication if necessary.
Asthma medication - answer-- a person with asthma may take one, both, or neither of
them. Asthma medications may be given through an inhaler, nebulizer or orally
- a person that has an asthma attack should take their rescue medication and not a long
term control medication.
, - two types of medication:
1. Long term control medication aka preventoer
2. Quick relief (rescue) medication
Long term control medication aka preventers - answer-are taken regularly, whether or
not signs and symptoms of asthma are present. They help prevent asthma attacks by
reducing inflammation and swelling by making the bronchioles less sensitive to triggers
*quick relief (rescue) medication aka bronchodilators - answer-are taken when a person
is experiencing an asthma attack. They work quickly to relax the muscles that tighten
around the bronchioles, opening (dilating) them immediately so that the person can
breathe more easily.
Signs and symptoms of asthma attack - answer-- same as respiratory distress but this
person will have more difficulty exhaling
- person who is having an asthma attack will likely feel scared so it's imp. That you calm
and reassure the person
Care asthma attack - answer-1. Eliminate any asthma triggers, if possible. If something
in the env. Is causing the attack, move the person away from the area if it is safe to do
so.
2. Help the person get into comfortable position and provide reassurance
3. Help the person to take his/her prescribed quick-releif asthma medication
Using an inhaler - answer-1. Shake the inhaler 3 or 4 times and remove the cap
2. Breathe out and then bring the inhaler to the mouth
3. Press the top of the inhaler while taking one slow, full breath
4. Hold the breath for as long as is comfortable and then breathe out.
Using an inhaler with a spacer - answer-1. Shake the inhaler and then remove the cap
2. Put the inhaler into the spacer
3. Bring the spacer to the mouth and then press the top of the inhaler
4. Take slow deep breaths holding each breath for several sec ( if possible)
Allergic reaction - answer-when body's immune system overreacts to normally harmless
substances and produces an allergic reaction, almost anything can produce an allergic
reaction (common ones peanuts, pollen). Also severity of an allergic reaction depends
on the person
Allergic reaction prevention - answer-- read ingredient labels and ask about ingredients
and food preparation when you eat out
- avoid triggers (food and medication that have caused an allergic reaction int he past)
- tell others about any allergies you have. They can help identify risks you missed
Common signs and symptoms of allergic reactions - answer-- stuffy and itchy nose
-sneezing
CARE, HEAD, NECK AND SPINAL
INJURIES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Respiratory system - answer-*the diaphragm contracts and relaxes.
*the chest cavity expands and relaxes.
*air moves in and out of the lungs.
*brain cells begin to die after 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen.
Respiratory distress - answer-a person who is having difficulty breathing
Causes of respiratory distress - answer-- hyperventilation
- asthma
- chest trauma
- anaphylaxis
- drug overdose
- certain mental health conditions ( i.e. Panic disorder)
Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress - answer-*shortness of breath or gasping for
breath
*trouble speaking in complete sentences
*wheezing, gurgling, or high-pitched noises
Breathing abnormally (quickly or slowly)
*unusually deep or shallow breathing
*cool, moist skin
*bluish or ashen (grey) skin
*flushed or pale skin
*feelings of fear
*dizziness or light-headedness
Respiratory distress care - answer-1. If the person carries medication for respiratory
distress, offer to help the person take his or her medication.
2. Encourage the person to sit down in a comfortable position (leaning forward may help
make breathing easier).
3. Provide reassurance, as this can help reduce anxiety and help the person control his
or her breathing.
4. Monitor the person's condition and provide continual care until ems personnel arrive.
Respiratory arrest - answer-a person who is not breathing; if a person is in respiratory
arrest, you must begin cpr immediately
,Hyperventilation - answer-when a person breathes too quickly, which upsets the body's
balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Common causes of hyperventilation - answer-* strong emotions such as excitement,
fear or anxiety
*other respiratory conditions
*injuries, especially injuries to the head or chest
*exercise
*life-threatening bleeding
Signs and symptoms of hyperventilation - answer-*rapid, shallow breathing
*a feeling of suffocation or not getting enough air
*fear, anxiety, or confusion
*dizziness
*numbness or tingling of the fingers and toes
*muscle contractions, usually in the hands, feet, arms, and legs
Hyperventilation care - answer-*encourage the person to take controlled breaths by
breathing in slowly, holding his or her breath for a few seconds, and then gradually
exhaling.
*breathing into a paper bag can be unsafe and is not recommended as care for
hyperventilation.
How to recognize breathing problem - answer-a breathing problem can be identified by
watching and listening to the person's breathing and by asking the person how he or
she feels. If a person is having trouble breathing, do not wait to see if his or her
condition improves without intervention—begin providing care immediately
Asthma common causes - answer-triggered by
*air pollution or poor air quality (e.g., cigarette smoke)
*allergies (e.g., to pollen or animals)
*temperature fluctuations, extreme humidity, or extreme dryness
*strong odours (e.g., perfume, cologne, scented cleaning products)
*illness (e.g., colds, flus, and respiratory infections)
*physical activity
*stress or anxiety
Asthma care - answer-*avoid things that trigger your attacks, if possible.
*ensure that your asthma medication is always easily accessible in case of an attack.
*make sure that anyone who supervises the child knows about the condition and how to
help give medication if necessary.
Asthma medication - answer-- a person with asthma may take one, both, or neither of
them. Asthma medications may be given through an inhaler, nebulizer or orally
- a person that has an asthma attack should take their rescue medication and not a long
term control medication.
, - two types of medication:
1. Long term control medication aka preventoer
2. Quick relief (rescue) medication
Long term control medication aka preventers - answer-are taken regularly, whether or
not signs and symptoms of asthma are present. They help prevent asthma attacks by
reducing inflammation and swelling by making the bronchioles less sensitive to triggers
*quick relief (rescue) medication aka bronchodilators - answer-are taken when a person
is experiencing an asthma attack. They work quickly to relax the muscles that tighten
around the bronchioles, opening (dilating) them immediately so that the person can
breathe more easily.
Signs and symptoms of asthma attack - answer-- same as respiratory distress but this
person will have more difficulty exhaling
- person who is having an asthma attack will likely feel scared so it's imp. That you calm
and reassure the person
Care asthma attack - answer-1. Eliminate any asthma triggers, if possible. If something
in the env. Is causing the attack, move the person away from the area if it is safe to do
so.
2. Help the person get into comfortable position and provide reassurance
3. Help the person to take his/her prescribed quick-releif asthma medication
Using an inhaler - answer-1. Shake the inhaler 3 or 4 times and remove the cap
2. Breathe out and then bring the inhaler to the mouth
3. Press the top of the inhaler while taking one slow, full breath
4. Hold the breath for as long as is comfortable and then breathe out.
Using an inhaler with a spacer - answer-1. Shake the inhaler and then remove the cap
2. Put the inhaler into the spacer
3. Bring the spacer to the mouth and then press the top of the inhaler
4. Take slow deep breaths holding each breath for several sec ( if possible)
Allergic reaction - answer-when body's immune system overreacts to normally harmless
substances and produces an allergic reaction, almost anything can produce an allergic
reaction (common ones peanuts, pollen). Also severity of an allergic reaction depends
on the person
Allergic reaction prevention - answer-- read ingredient labels and ask about ingredients
and food preparation when you eat out
- avoid triggers (food and medication that have caused an allergic reaction int he past)
- tell others about any allergies you have. They can help identify risks you missed
Common signs and symptoms of allergic reactions - answer-- stuffy and itchy nose
-sneezing
