2: Respiratory Pathophysiology 1 Flashcards
1
Q
What are the two types of respiratory failure?
A
Hypoxic and hypercapnic
2
Q
PaCO2 is proportional/inversely proportional to alveolar ventilation
A
Inversely proportional
3
Q
What are the three factors affecting hypoventilation?
A
- Respiratory drive
- Neuromuscular competence
- Load
4
Q
What is the commonest cause of reduced chest wall compliance?
A
Obesity
5
Q
What is used as a measure of gas exchange adequacy?
A
A-a gradient
6
Q
A-a increases/decreases as you get older
A
Increases
7
Q
Why might pulmonary fibrosis lead to hypoxaemia? Why would this worsen when the patient is active?
A
- Increased diffusion distance due to thickened collagen
- Oxygen uptake increases with movement, transit time of RBC decreases unmasking hypoxaemia
8
Q
Which 3 types of alveolar/vascular abnormalities can lead to abnormal diffusion?
A
- Alveolar-capillary block (diffuse lung disease)
- Loss of diffusing surface (emphysema)
- Capillary volume/haemoglobin (pulmonary hypertension, anaemia)
