Respiratory Assessment
These are respiratory cues that should be assessed before touching a patient?
What is respiratory rate, work of breathing, ability to speak, positioning, and cyanosis?
The maximum recommended flow for a standard nasal cannula.
What is 6 L/minute?
Name one symptom that justifies using a PRN bronchodilator.
What is wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness?
The SpO2 value that signifies respiratory deterioration.
What is less than 88%?
Name one component of clear respiratory documentation.
What is objective findings, such as work of breathing, respiratory rate, and lung sounds?
Describe one early sign and one late sign of respiratory distress.
What is increased respiratory rate?
What is silent chest or cyanosis?
Describe when a Venturi mask is preferred.
What is when controlled FiO2 is required, such as in COPD?
The length of time to wait for reassessment after using a PRN bronchodilator.
What is 15-30 minutes?
Name a situation where RRT activation is required.
What is severe dyspnea or sudden drop in oxygen?
List three items that must be included in PRN effectiveness documentation.
What is objective findings?
These clinical features help you determine increased work of breathing.
What is accessory muscle use, retractions, and rapid breathing?
Describe what assessment must be performed after increasing oxygen flow.
What is SpO2, work of breathing, and device placement?
List what needs to be documented after giving PRN respiratory medication.
What is dose, time, indication, and patient response?
Name one respiratory symptom that must never be ignored.
What is stridor, silent chest or cyanosis?
The communication style when reporting worsening symptoms.
What is SBAR? (concise and objective)
These two lung sounds require immediate escalation.
What is stridor and absent breath sounds?
Tell when you would use a non-rebreather mask instead of high-flow nasal cannula.
What is an emergency requiring rapid oxygen delivery?
Name one finding that indicates a bronchodilator was effective.
What is improved breath sounds or decreased respiratory rate?
Name a key clinical sign of a rising CO2 level.
What is drowsiness or confusion?
Name two clinically significant sputum characteristics that indicate worsening respiratory status.
What is change in color, increased thickness or increased volume?
List one cause of why a patient might have an SpO2 that is dropping but has an normal respiratory rate.
What is equipment malfunction?
Name a finding that indicates a bronchodilator was ineffective.
What is worsening dyspnea or persistent low SpO2?
A patient is speaking in 1-2 word phrases. List two immediate actions that you should consider.
What is starting nebulizer therapy and initiating emergency escalation (RRT)?
When creating a clear respiratory note, a combination of elements ensures safety and clarity. List at least two elements to document.
What is objective assessment, device or O2 changes, PRN response, and concise escalation rationale?