B. Breathing

• • Look

    • mental status (anxiety, agitation, decreased LOC), colour, chest movement (bilateral vs. asymmetrical), respiratory rate/effort, nasal flaring

  • Listen

    • auscultate for signs of obstruction (e.g. stridor), breath sounds, symmetry of air entry, air escaping

  • Feel

    • tracheal shift, chest wall for crepitus, flail segments, sucking chest wounds, subcutaneous emphysema

Breathing Assessment

• • objective measures of respiratory function: rate, oximetry, ABG, A-a gradient

Management of Breathing

• • nasal prongs → simple face mask → non-rebreather mask → CPAP/BiPAP (in order of increasing FiO2)

  • Bag-Valve mask and CPAP to supplement inadequate ventilation