Lesson 1Focused respiratory exam: breath sounds, work of breathing, accessory muscle use, pulse oximetry, end-tidal CO2 interpretation, and peak flow when feasibleProvides an organised breathing check for tricky patients, including looking, feeling, and listening. Stresses breathing effort, extra muscle use, finger oxygen, CO2 wave reading, and peak flow when possible and safe in Botswana's field.
Checking breathing speed, pattern, and effortLooking for extra muscle use and stanceOrganised lung listening and main findingsFinger oxygen limits and error spottingCO2 values and wave reading in COPDUsing peak flow for blockage severityLesson 2Airway escalation: when to use BVM, supraglottic airway, or perform RSI—drug selections, preoxygenation, and rapid sequence technique in respiratory failureDetails when to step up from basic airway moves to bag-mask, supraglottic airway, or RSI in breathing failure. Reviews pre-oxygen, drug picks, amounts, and quick sequence method, stressing COPD and overdose body responses in Botswana.
Signs for bag-mask aid and tuningPicking and placing supraglottic airwaysWhen to go to RSI in breathing failurePre-oxygen plans in COPD and overweightSedative and paralytic picks and amountsPost-tube breathing and checkLesson 3Rapid history and scene clues: medication lists, smoke/odor, witness accounts, and assessment of mental statusFocuses on getting quick, aimed history and using scene hints to spot COPD, overdose, or mixed issues. Covers drug lists, pill pots, smells, tools, witness tales, and mind state to guide early treatments in Botswana's homes and streets.
Main check and instant life risksKey questions for watchers and carersReading drug lists and pill potsScene hints: smoke, chemicals, toolsChecking usual versus new mind changeBlending scene hints into diagnosisLesson 4Monitoring and transport considerations: ventilator vs spontaneous breathing, continuous capnography, and pre-notification of receiving facilityAddresses watching and travel planning for tube-breathing and self-breathing patients. Discusses steady CO2 watching, machine versus bag-mask aid, placing, travel pick, and pre-notice to ready the receiving place in Botswana's system.
Steady oxygen and CO2 during travelHandling patients on travel machinesWhen to use bag-mask versus self-breathingPlacing and securing airway and tubesPicking travel spot and care levelGood pre-notice and handoff reportsLesson 5Naloxone use for suspected opioid overdose: dosing strategies, routes (IV/IM/IN), titration to avoid acute withdrawal, and monitoringReviews naloxone drug workings, signs, and warnings in suspected opioid excess with breathing slowdown. Covers vein, muscle, and nose ways, amount plans, adjustments to good breathing, and watching for return or pullback in Botswana.
Spotting opioid poison signs in fieldNaloxone workings, start, and lengthPicking vein, muscle, or nose for naloxoneFirst amounts and careful adjustment plansHandling sudden pullback and upset risksPost-turn watching and travel needsLesson 6Differentiating COPD exacerbation, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, aspiration, and opioid/sedative overdose—key exam and device findingsDetails how to tell COPD flare, heart lung water, choking intake, and opioid or calmer excess. Stresses targeted check, lung sounds, mind state, and tool data like CO2, oxygen, and heart trace findings in Botswana's cases.
Usual history and triggers in COPD flareSigns of heart lung water in fieldHints to choking and airway dirtSpotting opioid and calmer excess patternsUsing lung sounds, CO2, and oxygen to tell apartRole of heart trace, pressure, and neck veinsLesson 7Bronchodilator therapy: beta-agonists, anticholinergics, dosing, routes, and nebuliser vs MDI considerationsCovers airway opener choices for COPD and asthma mix in breathing failure. Reviews beta-openers and block-cutters, signs, warnings, amounts, and ways, plus real differences between mist makers and puffers with holders in Botswana.
Short beta-openers: drugs and amountsBlock-cutter openers and mixesMist maker setup, flows, and timingPuffer with holder: method and guidingSide effects and watching during treatmentWhen to repeat or step up opener therapyLesson 8Oxygen and ventilation strategies: titration targets for COPD, indications for high-flow nasal cannula, NIV (CPAP/BiPAP) settings and contraindicationsCovers oxygen adjustment targets in COPD, picking give tools, and signs for high-flow nose tube and NIV. Reviews CPAP/BiPAP setup, start settings, fixing, and main warnings in unsteady patients in Botswana's equipment.
Oxygen and blood oxygen targets in COPD and CO2 holdersPicking nose tube, mask, or mixer devicesSigns and setup for high-flow nose tubeStarting CPAP and BiPAP: first pressuresWarnings and issues of NIV useFixing mask leaks and patient no-likeLesson 9Adjunct medical therapy: systemic corticosteroids (dosing and timing), magnesium, and diuretics for suspected cardiogenic pulmonary oedemaExplores signs, amounts, and timing of body-wide steroids and magnesium in COPD or asthma mix. Reviews water pill picks and amounts for suspected heart lung water, including warnings and watching needs in Botswana.
Signs for body-wide steroids in COPDCommon steroid drugs, amounts, and start timesVein magnesium use in severe airway spasmSpotting heart lung water in fieldWater pill choices, amounts, and warningsWatching response and drug side effects
