Respiratory Depression (Medication-Induced, Decreased-LOC-Induced)

Definition/Etiology:

• What is happening?
• Patient struggling to breath
• Causes
  • Medication-induced
• Decreased-LOC-induced  (e.g. hypoxia)
  • This is what the test plan refers to, so I thought I should clarify what could cause the decreased-loc situation
  • can be from meds, anesthesia, and other medical conditions, etc

Pathophysiology:

• Depends of cause
• Significantly decreased oxygen in the body

Noticing: Assessment & Recognizing Cues:

• S/S of respiratory distress
  • Increased RR
  • Increased work of breathing
  • Decreased SpO2
  • Delayed cap refill
• Arterial blood gas
  • *Respiratory acidosis (most common)
  • Respiratory alkalosis
  • Metabolic acidosis
  • Metabolic alkalosis

Interpreting: Analyzing & Planning:

• Diags to determine cause (if unknown) and severity
  • Chest x-ray
  • CT scan
  • ABG

Responding: Patient Interventions & Taking Action:

• Will have a case study progression of patient from Distress to Failure (talk about s/s and how patient moves through the different devices)
  • Nasal cannula
  • Face mask
  • High-flow therapy
  • Venturi-mask
  • Non-rebreather
  • collaborate with respiratory therapy, initiate rapid response (case by case basis)

Reflecting: Evaluating Patient Outcomes:

• CPAP vs. BiPAP
• Continuous (water hose)
• BiPAP (on/off switch)

Linchpins (Key Points):

• Breathing status declining
  • Notice = s/s resp distress
  • Interpret = ABG & diags
  • Respond = oxygen therapy