In this seminar, you will explore the significance of advanced respiratory assessment by the Registered Nurse/Paramedic. You will examine the chest landmarks and demonstrate the auscultation technique. The general respiratory assessment of a deteriorating patient with respiratory compromise will be explained. You will also explore a variety of uncommon respiratory disorders that are life-threatening.

Chest auscultation, interpretation of chest x-rays and interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABG) will be explained in an easy-to-follow format with clinical hints and scenarios.

“The importance of expert nurses being able to interpret deterioration in ABG samples not only in the critical care and ED but also the ward cannot be underestimated.”

Learning Outcomes
In this seminar, you will:

• Discuss the general respiratory assessment of a deteriorating patient.
• Explore the clinical presentation relating to respiratory compromise.
• Investigate interpretation of blood gases and critically evaluation the abnormal parameters.
• Discuss how to evaluate lung sounds and link the abnormal sounds to the presentation on the chest x-ray.

You will learn:

• How to recognise a patient deteriorating with a respiratory disorder or condition.
• Interesting respiratory conditions such as silicosis, psittacosis and, legionnaires disease, COVID 19, and the deadly emerging C.auris.
• How to read a chest x-ray.
• The presentation on the chest x-ray of a variety of disorders such as: heart failure, pneumothorax, pneumonia, and placement of various catheters.
• The anatomy of the lung fields, examining the lobes and landmarks for auscultation.
• The significance of a post- operative patient who develops crackles and shortness of breath.
• The assessment of a patient who is developing life-threatening anaphylaxis.
• About the interesting ventilation history – highlighting the difference between negative and positive ventilation.
• How to insert a supraglottic airway (Laryngeal Mask Airway) in an emergency situation.
• The link between snake bite and respiratory arrest as well as First aid technique of a patient with a snake bite.
• The effects of venom from the three common dangerous snakes in Australia.

Presenter:

Ann Evans-Murray
R.N., BHlthSc, MACCCN, Grad.Dip Ed, MEd, Dip Counselling, GradCertCritCare, CertIV Training and Assessment, CertIV in Mediation

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