Breathlessness : Medical Triage : Online Medical Help

Online Medical Help :MEDICAL TRIAGE : Breathlessness

Definition

Dyspnea is a subjective sensation of difficulty in breathing
Tachypnea – the respiratory rate is  increase

Causes of breathlessness
Many causes are potentially life threatening

Common Causes
Cardiac & pulmonary in Origin

Asthma
Acute exacerbation of chronic lung disease
Pulmonary oedema
Strokes
Panic Attack

Subjective
   
Previous heart & lung disease
Gradual or sudden onset
       
Objective

Look for
Stridor
Tachycardia
Associated with fever & cough
Using all accessory respiratory muscle
Central cyanosis
Wheeze
Inability to speak

Assessment

Critical

All severe asthmatic cases , acute exacerbation of chronic lung disease in distress
Grunting
Stridor
Wheezing
All pediatric patients with above presentation


Assessment

Semi critical

Patients with cardiac disease but no in distress
Breathlessness several days but look comfortable

Non critical
BP / PR/ Respiration – Normal
ECG Normal
Complain of slight shortness of breath

Plan

Serious to Resus
Do ECG if with cardiac disease
Age factor - > 35 years