Respiratory failure and respiratory distress are both medical emergencies that demand prompt treatment. Both present special dangers to vulnerable groups such as children, elders, and people with chronic illnesses. Respiratory distress, for example, affects about 1 percent of newborns, and is the leading cause of death in neonates born prematurely.

Respiratory assessment is a core component of every EMS professional’s job. Your experience has likely already taught you that factors such as age, exertion, and emotional state can affect a respiratory assessment. You may also realize that the respiratory assessment that neatly tracks a textbook is a rare case indeed. Excellent respiratory assessments require a commitment to comprehensive care and a willingness to adapt based on new information and experiences. Here are five critical components of a skillful respiratory assessment.

Geriatric patients are more likely to experience respiratory emergencies such as pneumonia, aspiration, and severe respiratory infections. A range of physiological changes, including muscle atrophy, can make airway assessment and management more difficult.