Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XIII · Medical Emergencies · 04

Respiratory emergencies

During an asthma attack, sit the patient upright and give two puffs of their albuterol inhaler, adding oxygen and calling EMS if there is no improvement. Hyperventilation is driven by anxiety; coach slow breathing and do not give oxygen. A conscious adult who cannot cough or speak gets alternating sets of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts (AHA 2025), or chest thrusts if pregnant or obese, and an aspirated instrument needs referral for a chest or abdominal radiograph.

High-yield facts · 6

  1. Asthma attack: sit the patient upright; 2 puffs of their albuterol (short-acting beta-2 agonist); repeat as needed; oxygen; call EMS if no improvement.T8
  2. Hyperventilation: anxiety-driven rapid breathing that lowers CO2; signs include lightheadedness and tingling or spasm of the fingers and lips. Treat by calming and coaching slow breathing; do not give oxygen.T8
  3. Conscious adult choking: if the person cannot cough or speak, give abdominal thrusts; use chest thrusts for pregnant or obese patients.S26
  4. Infant choking: 5 back blows then 5 chest thrusts, repeated.S26
  5. Unconscious choking victim: start CPR and look in the mouth for the object before each set of breaths.S26
  6. A swallowed or aspirated instrument needs a chest or abdominal radiograph referral; aspiration usually goes into the right main bronchus.T8

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.