3. Respiratory system Flashcards
Role of oxygen in the body?
WITHOUT OXYGEN = CELLS DIE
oxygen is required to make ATP - without it the cell relies on anaerobic respiration which is ineffective and the cell will therefore be unable to carry out any function requiring energy
e.g. operating the sodium/ potassium pump
Define pneumothorax and its pathophysiology.
= a condition where air enters the pleural cavity separating the visceral and parietal pleura destroying the negative pressure = lung collapse
- Air separates the visceral and parietal pleurae = destroys the negative pressure
Classified as
- primary = spontaneous pneumothorax
Classification of a pneumothorax
spontaneous pneumothorax
- primary
- secondary - underlying lung disease
Traumatic pneumothorax
- e.g. fractured rib - tension pneumothorax - from mechanical ventilation or respiration disease such as COPD
Signs and symptoms of pneumothorax
- SOB
- chest pain
- pressure in chest
- blue discolouration
- increased HR
- increased RR
Complications of pneumothorax
- effusion
- haemorrhage
- empyema
- respiratory failure
- arrhythmias
- severe hypoxemia
- tracheal deviation away from affected lung
- hypotension
Treatment
- pain, infection and bleeding
How would the body attempt to restore homeostasis with a pneumothorax
The blood pressure decreases and there is a reduction of arterial oxygen
= results in increasing RR and HR
Define emphysema and describe its pathophysiology
= permanent abnormal enlargement of the respiratory tract distal to the terminal bronchioles and associated destructive changes of the alveolar wall
= loss of elastin and other major structural proteins in the lower airways, resulting in widespread destruction of alveoli
- abnormal dilation of the alveoli
- loss of the lung elasticity
Signs and symptoms of emphysema
- SOB
- fatigue
- insomnia
- cyanosis
- use of accessory muscles
Complications of Emphysema
- pneumonia
- collapsed lungs
- heart problems - lack of oxygen puts strain on the heart
How would the body attempt to restore homeostasis with emphysema
- increase HR and RR
Pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis
= results of inflammation for more than 3 months in the bronchi and bronchioles
- muscle spasms
- mucus production
- inflammation
Signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis
- Chills, muscle aches, fatigue
- sputum producing cough
- blue bloater: poorly oxygenated lung causing cyanosis
- right sided heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension resulting from constriction of pulmonary blood vessels
- peripheral oedema due to right sided heart failure
- acidosis resulting from CO2 retention
Complications of chronic bronchitis
- persistent inflammation scarring the lining of the respiratory tract
- increased mucus secreting glands and goblet cells
- bronchial wall thickness due to increased bronchial smooth muscle
- may lead to CO2 retention
- respiratory failure,
- pneumonia,
- Enlargement and weakness of right heart ventricle of the heart caused by lung disease,
- pneumothorax
How would the body attempt to restore homeostasis with chronic bronchitis
- coughing to expel what is blocking the airways
Define pulmonary embolism and its pathophysiology
= a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot
- this is due to a deep vein thrombi detaching
Signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism
= acute-onset tachypnoea, dyspnoea, and tachycardia, particularly when the patient is already receiving oxygen therapy.
Signs and symptoms also may include dyspnoea, chest pain, hypotension, haemoptysis, dysrhythmias, and congestive heart failure
How would the body attempt to restore homeostasis with pulmonary embolism
.
Pathophysiology of asthma
= chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways
- involves many immune cells
- smooth muscle spasms narrowing the airways
thick mucus and mucosal oedema further occlude the small airways which can ultimately lead to full obstruction - obstruction of the airways = increased resistance to airflow and impairment of breathing =. lead to air becoming trapped causing hyperinflation in areas distal to obstruction
= resulting in decreased perfusion of the alveoli - result in a ventilation/ perfusion mismatch and leads to hypoxia
Signs and symptoms of asthma
- expiratory wheezing, bronchostriction, cough, dyspnoea, tachycardia, tachypnoea, prolonged expiration
Complications of asthma
- signs and symptoms interfere with sleep and daily life
- a permanent narrowing of the tubes that carry air to and from lungs (bronchial tubes) which affects how well the person can breathe.
pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome
= life threatening as it prevents gas exchange.
- inflammation of the lungs leading to impaired gas exchange
- leads to release of inflammatory mediators, hypoxemia and frequently results in multiple organ system failure
- Creates oedema in the air sacs preventing gas exchange
Signs and symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome
- SOB, fast breathing, tachycardia, blue fingernails, fatigue, fever, crackling of the lungs
Complications of acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Atelectasis - small air pockets in lungs collapse
- Failure of multiple organs - due to lack of oxygen
- Pulmonary hypertension- due to the blood vessels narrowing to the heart
- Blood clots during treatment
What does lung compliance mean?
= refers to the ease in which the lungs can be inflated
- is a measure of the change in lung volume that occurs with the change in intrapulmonary pressure
- measure of stretchiness of lung and chest wall
- is determined by elastin and collagen fibres, water content, surface tension and the compliance of the thoracic cage
