🫁 B · Breathing and circulation
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statements10
actual4
risk4
urgentRecommended assessment — CarePath tool: CP-BREATH Breathing & Circulation Check (interactive scoring) · Validated scales: NEWS2, SpO₂, ECG
| Code | Problem statement | Type | Description | First 3 actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | Struggling to breathe comfortably | Actual | Breathing feels hard, shallow, too fast, or too slow, so the person cannot get comfortable air in and out. | Sit him upright · Check breathing rate and oxygen level · Give oxygen or medicine as ordered |
| B2 | Poor oxygen exchange in the lungs | Actual | The lungs are not moving enough oxygen into the blood or carbon dioxide out, which may show as low oxygen readings, drowsiness, or confusion. | Raise the head of the bed · Give oxygen as ordered · Check oxygen and breathing often |
| B3 | Airway blocked by secretions | Actual | Mucus or fluid in the airway cannot be coughed up, making breathing noisy or difficult. | Position upright · Teach deep breathing and supported coughing · Give fluids and humidified air if ordered |
| B4 | Weak heart pumping | Actual | The heart is not moving enough blood to meet body needs, which may cause tiredness, swelling, or low blood pressure. | Check pulse, blood pressure, and weight daily · Give heart medicines as ordered · Limit fluid and salt if ordered |
| B5 | Poor blood flow to hands or feet | Actual | The limbs receive too little blood and may look pale or blue, feel cold, or have weak pulses. | Check pulses, color, and warmth · Keep limbs warm but avoid heat pads · Avoid tight clothing |
| B6 | Unstable blood pressure | Risk | Blood pressure may swing too high or too low because of illness, medicine, or fluid changes. | Check blood pressure at ordered times with the right cuff size, lying and standing · Give medicines as ordered and note the time of each dose · Encourage fluids as allowed and record intake |
| B7 | Fluid in the lungs | Actual ⚠ URGENT | Extra fluid collects in the lungs, causing breathlessness, cough, or crackling breath sounds. | Sit upright · Give oxygen and diuretics as ordered · Monitor fluid balance and weight |
| B8 | Low blood oxygen needing support | Actual ⚠ URGENT | Oxygen levels stay below a safe level unless extra oxygen or other support is given. | Give oxygen at the ordered flow · Check equipment and tubing · Position upright |
| B9 | Needs breathing machine support | Actual | The person cannot breathe well alone and relies on a ventilator or similar device. | Check tube position and ventilator settings · Suction as needed · Give mouth care |
| B10 | Swollen legs or feet | Actual | Fluid builds up in the lower limbs, causing puffiness, tightness, or heaviness. | Raise legs when sitting · Weigh daily · Follow salt and fluid advice |
| B11 | Irregular heartbeat | Actual | The heart rhythm is too fast, too slow, or uneven, which may cause palpitations, dizziness, or weakness. | Check pulse and blood pressure · Connect to monitor if ordered · Report symptoms |
| B12 | Dizzy when standing up | Risk | Blood pressure drops on standing, so the person may feel faint or fall. | Check lying and standing blood pressure · Have him sit on the bed edge before standing · Rise slowly |
| B13 | Poor blood flow to the brain | Risk ⚠ URGENT | Reduced blood supply to the brain may cause confusion, weakness, or changes in speech or vision. | Check blood pressure and pulse, and do a quick brain check (face, arm, speech) each shift · Give the blood thinner as ordered and explain why every dose matters · Teach the signs of stroke: face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech |
| B14 | Very low blood circulation (shock) | Risk ⚠ URGENT | Circulation may become too weak to supply vital organs, which is an emergency needing rapid action. | Check pulse, blood pressure, breathing, skin and mental state every 15 minutes · Control any bleeding and keep the patient warm · Give oxygen and fluids or blood as ordered |