emt-basic curriculum module 4

State of WisconsinEMT-Basic: A Practice BasedApproach to EMS EducationII.(8) In infants, there may be "seesaw" breathing wherethe abdomen and chest move in oppositedirections(9) Agonal breathing (occasional gasping breaths)may be seen just before death11. Infant and child anatomy considerationsa) Mouth and nose - in general: All structures are smallerand more easily obstructed than in adults.b) Pharynx - infants' and children's tongues take upproportionally more space in the mouth than adultsc) Trachea(1) Infants and children have narrower tracheas thatare obstructed more easily by swelling(2) The trachea is softer and more flexible in infantsand childrend) Cricoid cartilage - like other cartilage in the infant andchild, the cricoid cartilage is less developed and less rigide) Diaphragm - chest wall is softer, infants and children tendto depend more heavily on the diaphragm for breathingB. Adequate and inadequate artificial ventilation1. An EMT-Basic is adequately artificially ventilating a patientwhen:a) The chest rises and falls with each artificial ventilation(adequate tidal volume)b) The rate is sufficient, approximately 12 per minute foradults and 20 times per minute for children and infantsc) Heart rate and skin condition return to normal withsuccessful artificial ventilation2. Artificial ventilation is inadequate when:a) The chest does not rise and fall with artificial ventilation(inadequate tidal volume)b) The rate is too slow or too fastc) Heart rate does not return to normal with artificialventilationBreathing DifficultyA. Signs and symptoms1. Shortness of breath2. Restlessness3. Increased pulse rate4. Increased breathing rate5. Decreased breathing rate6. Skin color changesa) Cyanotic (blue-gray)b) Palec) Flushed (red)7. Noisy breathingModule 4-13