Asphyxia

FIRST AID

1. ASPHYXIA Mr. Manikandan.T , RN., RM., M.Sc (N)., D.C.A .,( Ph.D ) Research Scholar, Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing, VMCON, Puducherry .

2. DEFINITION: A condition in which the lung do not get sufficient oxygen supply of air for breathing. If this condition continues for some minutes, breathing and heart action stops and death occurs. Asphyxia can be induced by choking, drowning, electric shock, injury or the inhalation of toxic gases.

3. Types Physical chemical

4. Physical asphyxia

5. Choking: when food or an object gets stuck in your airway and blocks air from getting into lungs. Aspiration: when something you eat or drink goes down the wrong pipe and enters airway or lungs. Suffocation(smothering): when something heavy covers the face or chest and prevents you from breathing Strangulation: if a cord or rope or other object long enough to go around the neck presses on airway. Drug overdose: opioids when it taken high dose it slows down the breathing Birth asphyxia: unborn child may get too little oxygen during pregnancy may be due to problem with placenta

6. Chemical asphyxia

7. Carbon monoxide : colorless, odorless gas if you breathe in too much it replaces the oxygen in blood Cyanide : it keep cells from taking oxygen in Hydrogen sulfide: gas smell like rotten egg. It can come from sewage, liquid manure, natural gas. If you breathe in too much it prevents oxygen from entering your cells

8. CAUSES OF ASPHYXIA: Condition affecting air passage: Spasm Obstruction Compression. Condition affecting the respiratory mechanism: Epilepsy, tetanus, rabies, nerve disease causing paralysis of chest wall or diaphragm

9. CONT….: 3. Condition affecting the respiratory centre: Morphine, barbiturates, drowning, choking, suffocation by smoke, asthma, external heart compression, electric shock, stroke, strangulation, swelling within the throat, suffocation by poison gases, artificial respiration . 4. Compression of chest: 5. Lack of oxygen: It is in high altitude with low atmospheric pressure.

10. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: PHASE 1: Rate of breathing exercise or increases, Breaths get shorter, Veins of neck become swollen, Face, lips, nails, fingers and toes turn blue., Pulse gets faster and feeble. PHASE 2: Consciousness is lost totally or partially Forth may appear at the mouth and nostrils. Fits may occur

11. MANAGEMENT: Remove the cause if possible Make the airway passage clear Check the level of cyanosis Give artificial respiration Arrange for transportation, send the casualty to the hospital immediately. Heimlich maneuver – grasping the victim from behind with hands linked in front and compressing the abdomen just below the ribs. Encourage the victim to cough up foriegn objects in throat Rap victim between shoulder blade to dislodge object. For asphyxia caused by gas or fumes remove victim to a clear atmosphere, use artificial respiration

12. Heimlich maneuver

13. Drowning – tilt the client to one side with head down Strangulation: remove the band Suffocation: remove the victim as soon as possible to fresh air For all the victim loosen the clothing If breathing gets restored give sips of water

14. If breathing does not restore then start artificial respiration Mouth – moth respiration: Tilt the head at back Pinch the nostril, cover the mouth of the casuality Blow into his lungs until his chest expands Repeat it for 15-20 times, Blowing of air should be done with an open mouth, covering both mouth and nose Other hand ensure medical help If it is not possible to give 2 effective breaths start chest compression First aider should give 15 chest compression – 2 inflation Cycle should continue until patient recovers or till medical aid is called for

15. Note Observe the following while chest compression Bluish discoloration of face Dilated pupil Carotid pulse

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