Hypoxemia / Hypoxia - Rapid Response Management Algorithm



Stridor - Upper airway pathology:

 • Anaphylaxis

 • Foreign body

 • Angioedema

 • Subglottic stenosis

 • Epiglottitis

 • Vocal cord dysfunction

 • Extrinsic compression (e.g., hematoma, tumor)



Crackles / ↓ Air Movement - Lower airway pathology:

 • Blood: diffuse alveolar hemorrhage

 • Pus: pneumonia

 • Water: pulmonary edema

 • Air: pneumothorax, COPD/asthma

 • Pleural disease

 • Severe atelectasis

 • Lung fibrosis



RR < 12 /  shallow breathing - Hypoventilation:

 • CNS depression (e.g., opioids, OHS, toxic metabolic encephalopathy, central sleep apnea)

 • Neuromuscular disorders (e.g., GBS, MG, ALS)

 • ↓ chest wall compliance (e.g., flail chest, kyphoscoliosis)



By Matthew Ho, MD PhD @MatthewHoMD, Clement Lee, MD @ClementLeeMD, Sophia Hayes MD @Sophia_Hayes_MD



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