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 effort of breathing, extra muscle use, pulse oximetry, EtCO2 wave reading, and peak flow when possible and safe.
Checking breathing rate, pattern, and effortLooking for extra muscle use and stanceOrganised lung listening and key findingsPulse oximetry limits and flaw spottingEtCO2 values and wave reading in COPDUsing peak flow to measure block 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 BVM, supraglottic airway, or RSI in breathing failure. Reviews preoxygenation, drug picks, amounts, and rapid sequence method, with stress on COPD and overdose body processes.
Signs for BVM aid and best usePicking and placing supraglottic airwaysWhen to go to RSI in breathing failurePreoxygenation plans in COPD and overweightSedative and paralysing choices and amountsPost-intubation breathing and confirmationLesson 3Rapid history and scene clues: medication lists, smoke/odor, witness accounts, and assessment of mental statusFocuses on getting a quick, aimed history and using scene hints to spot COPD, overdose, or mixed illness. Covers drug lists, pill pots, smells, tools, witness talks, and mind state to guide early treatment choices.
Primary check and immediate life threatsKey questions for onlookers and carersReading drug lists and pill potsScene hints: smoke, chemicals, toolsChecking usual versus new mind state changeBlending scene hints into working diagnosisLesson 4Monitoring and transport considerations: ventilator vs spontaneous breathing, continuous capnography, and pre-notification of receiving facilityAddresses watching and travel planning for breathed and self-breathing patients. Discusses steady capnography, ventilator versus BVM aid, placing, destination pick, and pre-warning to ready the receiving place.
Steady SpO2 and EtCO2 during travelHandling patients on travel ventilatorsWhen to use BVM versus self-breathingPlacing and securing airway and tubesPicking destination and care levelGood pre-warning 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, needs, and warnings in suspected opioid excess with breathing slowdown. Covers IV, IM, and IN ways, amount plans, adjustment to good breathing, and watching for return or withdrawal.
Spotting opioid poison signs in the fieldNaloxone workings, start, and lengthPicking IV, IM, or IN way for naloxoneFirst amounts and careful adjustment plansHandling sudden withdrawal 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 worsening, heart-caused lung water, aspiration, and opioid or calmer excess. Stresses focused check, lung sounds, mind state, and tool data like EtCO2, oximetry, and ECG findings.
Usual history and triggers in COPD worseningSigns of heart-caused lung water in the fieldHints to aspiration and airway dirtSpotting opioid and calmer excess patternsUsing lung sounds, EtCO2, and SpO2 to tell apartRole of ECG, blood 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-agonists and anticholinergics, needs, warnings, amounts, and ways, plus real differences between nebulisers and MDIs with spacers.
Short-acting beta-agonists: agents and amountsAnticholinergic airway openers and mixesNebuliser setup, flow rates, and timingMDI with spacer: method and guidingSide effects and watching during treatmentWhen to repeat or step up airway opener therapyLesson 8Oxygen and ventilation strategies: titration targets for COPD, indications for high-flow nasal cannula, NIV (CPAP/BiPAP) settings and contraindicationsCovers oxygen adjustment goals in COPD, pick of delivery tools, and needs for high-flow nose cannula and NIV. Reviews CPAP/BiPAP setup, first settings, fixing, and key warnings in unsteady patients.
SpO2 and PaO2 goals in COPD and CO2 holdersPicking nose cannula, mask, or Venturi toolsNeeds and setup for high-flow nose cannulaStarting CPAP and BiPAP: starting pressuresWarnings and problems of NIV useFixing mask leaks and patient no-tolerateLesson 9Adjunct medical therapy: systemic corticosteroids (dosing and timing), magnesium, and diuretics for suspected cardiogenic pulmonary oedemaExplores needs, amounts, and timing of body-wide corticosteroids and magnesium in COPD or asthma mix. Reviews water pill pick and amounts for suspected heart-caused lung water, including warnings and watching needs.
Needs for body-wide corticosteroids in COPDCommon steroid agents, amounts, and start timesUse of IV magnesium in severe airway spasmSpotting heart-caused lung water in the fieldWater pill choices, amounts, and warningsWatching response and bad drug effects
