Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Exam Review

RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES
Objectives:
At the completion of this section, the learner will be able to:
 Analyze a blood gas abnormality by looking at blood gas values
 List side effects of drugs used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
 Differentiate between types of pulmonary emboli based on presenting symptomatology
 Verbalize treatment strategies for pulmonary edema
 List nursing interventions for various types of pneumothoraces
The CEN exam contains eighteen questions on respiratory emergencies which involve the following topics:
 Aspiration
 Asthma
 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
 Infections
 Inhalation Injuries
 Obstruction
 Pleural Effusion
 Pneumothorax
 Pulmonary Edema – non-cardiac
 Pulmonary Embolus
 Respiratory Distress Syndrome
 Tension Pneumothorax
 Trauma
 Airway Interventions (Suctioning)
o Limit suctioning to 10 seconds per pass
o Suctioning can stimulate the vagal response (bradycardia and hypotension) esp. in the infant.
o Place head in sniffing position for nasopharyngeal suctioning; any position for oropharyngeal suctioning.
o Nasopharyngeal suctioning: use catheter with a diameter of no more than ½ diameter of the nari.
o Bulb suctioning – depress bulb before inserting, release when in area of secretions. For oral suctioning, aim toward inside of cheeks not back of throat.
 Breathing Interventions (Oxygen Therapy)