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Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards

6 cards from real CEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Respiratory Emergencies flashcards as text

  1. A patient with asthma is in severe bronchospasm and is not responding to nebulized albuterol. What is the next most appropriate pharmacological intervention?

    Answer: IV magnesium sulfate 2 g over 20 minutes

    IV magnesium sulfate causes bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and is indicated for severe asthma exacerbations not responding to standard beta-agonist therapy.

  2. A patient presents with sudden pleuritic chest pain and absent breath sounds on the left side. Tracheal deviation is noted to the right. What is the priority intervention?

    Answer: Administer high-flow oxygen and prepare for needle thoracostomy

    The presentation describes a tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate needle thoracostomy at the second intercostal space, midclavicular line, before imaging.

  3. Which ABG result is most consistent with acute respiratory acidosis?

    Answer: pH 7.28, PaCO2 58, HCO3 24

    A low pH with an elevated PaCO2 and normal bicarbonate (no metabolic compensation yet) indicates acute respiratory acidosis.

  4. A drowning victim is brought in apneic and pulseless. After resuscitation, they regain a pulse but remain comatose with SpO2 88% on room air. What condition should be anticipated?

    Answer: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

    Near-drowning victims are at high risk for developing ARDS due to aspiration of fluid causing diffuse alveolar damage and refractory hypoxemia.

  5. Which finding on a chest X-ray is most consistent with a massive pleural effusion?

    Answer: Tracheal deviation toward the affected side with opacification

    A massive pleural effusion causes opacification of the hemithorax with tracheal deviation toward the affected side due to atelectasis, unlike tension pneumothorax where the trachea deviates away.

  6. A patient with COPD and a history of CO2 retention presents in respiratory distress. Which oxygen delivery target is most appropriate?

    Answer: SpO2 88–92% via controlled oxygen delivery

    COPD patients with chronic hypercapnia can lose their hypoxic drive to breathe; targeting SpO2 88–92% prevents both hypoxia and CO2 retention.