Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

3 Airway and Breathing

Asthma Asthma, or reactive airway disease, is a respiratory condition that affects a person’s ability to breathe properly. It is caused by the spasm of air passages in the lungs. An asthma attack can be caused by an allergic reaction to a food or other substance, severe emotional stress, drugs, exercise or respiratory infections. Asthma produces a characteristic wheezing sound when a person tries to exhale through the partially blocked air passages (wheezing is a sign of partial lower airway obstruction). In severe cases, the work of exhaling is tiring and breathing soon becomes ineffective.

Difficulty Breathing due to Asthma Assessment and First Aid Scene Assessment - Scene Safety Activate 911 / Get Help / Get First Aid Kit / Get AED Primary Assessment • Assess patient history and vital signs • Have the patient stop any activity • Position patient to make breathing easier. Loosen tight clothing around the neck, chest, and waist. • Assist the patient to take any prescribed medication Ongoing Care/Transport • Provide care for shock • Monitor patient’s airway and breathing • Be prepared to provide CPR if breathing becomes ineffective or ceases Hand-Off and Documentation ABC’s - Treat life threats Secondary Assessment

Asthma

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