Breathing
| Part of | PTC Course |
|---|---|
| Subskills | Alertness and Orientation Assessment (A&O) Alertness Assessment (AVPU) Glasgow Coma Scale Assessment C-Spine Manual Stabilization Airway Opening with Jaw Thrust Vital Signs Assessment Respiratory Rate Assessment Lung Sound Auscultation Capillary Refill Assessment Skin Sign Evaluation Non-Rebreather Mask O2 Administration Oxygen Administration Scene Assessment Upon Arrival (PENMAN) SAMPLE History Taking Stethoscope Use Circulation |
| Equipment | EMS Jump Bag C Collar Battery Operated Suction Unit Oropharyngeal Airways Nasopharyngeal Airways Gauze Pads |
| Acting roles | EMR EMT emergency medical responder emergency medical technician paramedic AEMT EMR EMT paramedic ED |
| Pathologies | abrasion bleeding bruise burn contusion crepitus cyanosis cyanotic decompensation diaphoresis diaphoretic dilated pupil dislocation exsanguination guarding hemiparesis hemoptysis hypotension hypothermia laceration lesion lividity pain pale pneumothorax puncture swelling tachycardia tenderness tension pneumothorax vomiting wheezing |
| Body parts | chest thorax abdomen mouth neck nose ears eyes pupil upper extremities |
The second priority is the establishment of effective breathing or ventilation.
Principles
Basic Anatomy
Assessment
LOOK
Are any of the following present:
- Cyanosis?
- Penetrating injury?
- Presence of flail chest?
- Sucking chest wounds?
- Use of accessory muscles of ventilation
FEEL for
- Tracheal shift
- Broken ribs
- Chest wall expansion on both sides of the chest
- Subcutaneous emphysema.
Percussion is useful for diagnosis of haemothorax and pneumothorax.
LISTEN with a stethoscope for
- Pneumothorax (decreased breath sounds on site of injury)
- Detection of abnormal sounds in the chest. = == Management ===
- Give oxygen
- Assisted ventilation with BVM
- Address any penetrating wounds
- Immediately decompress tension pneumothorax.
- Drain haemothorax or pneumothorax
(Breathing management is covered in detail in Appendix 2)
| Authors | William M Nabulyato |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | William M Nabulyato (2022–2025). "PTC Course/Breathing". Appropedia. Retrieved November 28, 2025. |