ABCDE

Question 1

What are signs of an airway obstruction?

Answer 1

• Noisy breathing
• No breath sounds
• Paradoxical chest and abdomen movements
• Use of accessory muscles
• Tracheal tug
• Posturing
• Cyanosis

Question 2

How can an airway obstruction be managed?

Answer 2

• Jaw thrust
• Head tilt, Chin lift (caution in C-spine injury)
• Suction
• Oropharyngeal/Nasopharyngeal airway
• Supraglottic airway
• ETT

Question 3

Describe the components of a breathing assessment

Answer 3

RATES
Rate
Auscultation 
Trachea 
Effort
SaO2

Question 4

Describe the components of a circulation assessment

Answer 4

• colour and temperature of peripheries
• CRT (<2s is normal)
• state of veins
• pulse rate, quality, regularity, equality
• blood pressure
• assess end organ perfusion (conscious state, IDC output)
• auscultate
• look for haemorrhage on pt and in drains
• Insert IVC, take blood, give fluid
• ECG

Question 5

how can pulse pressure help differentiate types of shock?

Answer 5

• normal is 35-45mmHg
• Narrow indicates arterial vasoconstriction (cardiogenic or hypovolaemic shock)
• Wide indicates arterial vasodilation (anaphylaxis or sepsis)

Question 6

Describe the components of a disability assessment

Answer 6

• AVPU assessment
• Drug chart for CNS depressants
• Pupils
• BSL

Question 7

What is the treatment of hypoglycaemia in an unconscious pt?

Answer 7

• 50mL of 10% Dextrose IV every minute until consciousness is returned (up to 250mL)
• IM glucagon 1mg if no access

Question 8

Causes of Airway obstruction

Answer 8

Inside
- Vomit/Blood/Secretions
- Foreign Body
Airway
- Pharyngeal Oedema/infection
- Epiglotittis 
- Laryngospasm/Bronchospasm
Outside
- CNS
- Trauma

Question 9

Causes of acute respiratory distress

Answer 9

1. Lung issues
   - PTx
   - PE
   - infection/Aspirartion
   - APO
   - ARDS
   - Exacerbation of Chronic condition (COPD/Asthma)
2. Decreased Resp Effort
   - GBS/MG/MS
   - Rib fracture
3. Decreased Resp Drive
   - CNS
4. Metabolic
   - Compensation for acidosis

Question 10

Describe the algorithm for managing choking (Foreign body airway obstruction)

Answer 10

Assess adequacy of cough

if effective cough: encourage coughing, send for help

if ineffective cough:

• unresponsive: send for help, start CPR
• if responsive give up to 5 back blows, if not effective then 5 chest thrusts. continue alternating blows/thrusts