A&P
Sometimes referred to as the 'voice-box', this cartilaginous structure passes liquid, solid, and gas, sometimes in either direction, but hopefully not both directions simultaneously
What is the larynx?
This is what you call it when lots of alveoli collapse in on themselves. We better blow them up or bad things will happen!
What is atalectasis?
One of the first things we see in a Pt, this is what they have when they dont know whats going on or arent responding appropriately
Altered Mental Status
One of the least invasive first line treatments, lets do THIS when someone is having SOB
What is "sit them upright"?
Inversion or deep suctioning is NOT encouraged in the drowning patient because the lungs will do THIS with the water that gets inhaled.
What is absorption?
These thousands of tiny pipes can absorb some water, but make the cracking sound when too much goes in or out. The can also become inflamed and make it hard to exhale.
What are bronchioles?
Panic mode! This is when your throat slams shut, even when unconscious, in defence against water entering, & is something they consider when determining if you were dead before or after entering the water.
What is laryngospasm?
Patients with temperature issues need their temp taken in THIS, the only true core temperature location which is viable in the field.
It used to be that everyone got some, but now we only give some of THIS vital eighth element if they really need it.
What is oxygen?
You may feel fine now but respiratory failure may take THIS MANY HOURS before showing its complications after a near drowning.
What is 12 hours? (dont be alone!)
"99 red balloons" is what a tiny piece of lung tissue may look like under a microscope, its made of millions of tiny ones called THIS...
What is alveoli?
This type of brain damage happens after a prolonged absence of oxygen
What is an anoxic brain injury?
This sound is not a good one, and can be indicative of water in the lungs
What is coarse crackles?
Lets do THIS as a way to mitigate further aspiration
What is suctioning of the airway?
This can happen when the "voice-box" passes liquid and gas in both directions simultaneously.
This soapy exorine created by cuboital cells helps keep things nice and slippery. Without it, their homes collapse, causing micro-abrasion and swelling.
What is surfactant?
They can maybe breathe for now, but when this happens alveoli get dry and sticky. Bad things ensue and the Pt can experience respiratory failure 12 hours later
What is surfactant washout?
Often associated with pulmonary embolism, this respiratory vitals paradox indicates a major issue with gas exchange, and may be a sign of pulmonary edema
V/Q mismatch
No Pedi CPAP device? Uh oh... THIS is how we can mitigate atalactasis and support the alveoli after washout!
What is BVM support with PEEP?
ROSC is less indicative of long-term survival than THIS vital sign when achieved on the drowning patient in the field.
What is the regaining of consciousness?
These nifty little proteins in surfactant come in several shapes and sizes to cling onto foreign invaders and mark them for destruction by macrophages
What are collectins?
Secondary to repeated micro-abrasion, this is what happens after washout. Its what builds over time, preventing gas exchange and often killing the initial drowning survivor.
What is pulmonary edema
This subtle sign means they're getting plenty of air in and out but after a submersion event, may mean they'll take a turn for the worse in the coming hours
Persistent cough
The Pt is refusing CPAP (or BVM) because its too much back-pressure. We can do THIS to encourage its use
Begin at a lower setting and slowly increase it
This physiological phenomenon slows your HR & metabolism when your face is in cold water and is why deep sea divers have survived drownings for extremely long periods of time
The mammalian dive reflex