A B C D E

Front 1

listen, 'look,listen,feel' (a patent airway means that oxygen can be breathed in and reach the alveoli and carbon dioxide can be breathed out, this is 'ventilation')

Back 1

symptom: wheeze which is partial obstruction.
rationale: obstruction of airflow owing to broncho constriction and increased mucous production

Front 2

talk to patient

Back 2

symptom: sounds to no sounds = partial obstruction to complete obstruction.
rationale: clear airway=can answer question . short responses=respiratory distress with considerable obstruction

Front 3

listen / auscultate

Back 3

symptom: silence =evidence of significant obstruction
rationale: no air sounds because one of the bronchi will be totally obstructed by mucous. evidence of this requires an emergency response

Front 4

listen for cough

Back 4

symptom: asthma cough is a dry cough and can occur on its own without a wheeze.
rationale: first sign of the airways becoming inflamed and is common. coughing= increased mucous production and spasm of the bronchial tree.

Front 5

infants listen for grunting

Back 5

symptoms: crying like, moaning noise at expiration associated with the generation of positive pressure to maintain alveolar patency.
rationale: slows the expiratory flow, increasing lung volume, functional residual capacity and alveolar pressure. this prevents alveolar collapse, improves ventilation perfusion inequities and decreases alveolar or interstitial fluid. grunting is a predictor of hypoxaemia (o2 SATs lower than 90%)

Front 6

observe for nasal flaring

Back 6

symptom: nostrils opening is more flared than normal.
rationale: indication of increased work of breathing by increasing the radius of the nostrils to reduce nasal resistance and maintain airway patency