What labs should you order immediately when assessing the acutely ill or injured pt?
(2) - correct answer ABG, BG
What is the single most important
... [Show More] indicator of critical illness? (hint: it's a vital sign) -
correct answer Tachypnea
Increase in depth of breathing - correct answer Kussmaul/hyperpnea
Increase in depth of breathing, also called Kussmaul or hyperpnea, may indicate what
severe acid/base abnormality? - correct answer severe metabolic acidosis
Periodic breathing with apnea or hypopnea - correct answer Cheyne-Stokes
Periodic breathing with apnea or hypopnea (Cheyne-stokes breathing) may indicate
what? - correct answer Severe brainstem injury or cardiac dysfunction
When you assess the A (airway) in a critically ill patient, what are you
look/listening/feeling for? - correct answer *LOOK:* cyanosis, altered respiratory
pattern and rate, use of accessory respiratory muscles, tracheal tug, paradoxical
breathing, altered consciousness
*LISTEN:* noisy breathing (grunting, stridor, wheezing, gurgling); silence indicates
complete obstruction
*FEEL:* decreased or absent airflow
When you assess the B (breathing) in a critically ill patient, what are you
look/listening/feeling for? - correct answer *LOOK:* cyanosis, altered respiratory
pattern and rate, use of accessory respiratory muscles, tracheal tug, paradoxical
breathing, *equality and depth of breaths, O2 sats*, altered consciousness
*LISTEN:* dyspnea, inability to talk, noisy breathing, dullness to percussion,
auscultation of breath sounds
*FEEL:* symmetry and extent of chest movements, position of trachea, crepitus, abd.
distension
What is pulsus paradoxus? - correct answer decrease in >10mmHG in systole during
inspiration
When you assess the C (circulation) in a critically ill patient, what are you
look/listening/feeling for? - correct answer *LOOK:* reduced peripheral perfusion(pallor) and delayed cap refill, hemorrhage (obvious or concealed), AMS, dyspnea,
decreased urine output, jugular venous distension
*LISTEN:* altered heart sounds, carotid bruits
*FEEL:* precordial cardiac pulsation, central and peripheral pulses (assessing rate,
quality, regularity, symmetry), [Show Less]