#4 Respiratory System Flashcards
Acute Bronchitis
is an acute infection or inflammation of the airways or bronchi
and is usually self-limiting.
Asthma
obstruction is caused by exacerbation episodes of bronchial inflammation,
bronchiole mucosal oedema, bronchospasm and increased mucus production.
Bronchiolitis
is a rather common, viral-induced lower respiratory tract
(bronchiolar) infection that occurs almost exclusively in infants and young toddlers.
Chronic Bronchitis
is a chronic infection or inflammation of the airways or bronchi
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
is a syndrome that includes
the pathological lung changes consistent with emphysema, chronic bronchitis or
chronic asthma.
Croup
is an acute inflammation of the upper airways and almost always occurs in
children between 6 months and 5 years of age. In 85% of cases, croup is caused by
a virus. Airway obstruction occurs in the subglottic region of the trachea, just below
the vocal cords.
Cyanosis
is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by
increasing amounts of desaturated or reduced haemoglobin (which is bluish) in the
blood
Cystic fibrosis
is an autosomal recessive inherited disease that results from
defective epithelial chloride ion transport. Although cystic fibrosis affects many
organs the most important effects are on the lungs and in 90% of cases, chronic
pulmonary infections eventually lead to respiratory failure and death.
Diluents
The agent most commonly used to dilute respiratory secretions is normal
saline, administered by ultrasonic nebulizer.
Dyspnoea
is the subjective sensation of uncomfortable breathing, the feeling of not
being able to get enough air. Sometimes referred to as difficulty in breathing.
Emphysema
is abnormal permanent enlargement of gas-exchange airways
accompanied by destruction of alveolar walls. Obstruction results from changes in
lung tissue.
Expectorants
act by an irritant action on the mucous membranes, which increases
the secretion of mucus from bronchial secretory cells, facilitating ciliary action and
productive coughing and soothing and lubricating dry tissues.
Haemoptysis
Is the coughing up of blood or bloody secretions
Hypercapnia
increased carbon dioxide in the arterial blood (increased PaO2).
Hypoxaemia
reduced oxygenation of arterial blood (reduced PaO2)
Hypoxia
reduced oxygenation of cells in tissues e.g. oxygen saturations below
90%.
Mucolytic drugs
exert a disintegrating effect on mucus, facilitating removal of
mucus or other exudates from the lung, bronchi or trachea by postural drainage,
coughing, spitting or swallowing e.g. acetylcystine
Muscarinic antagonists
one of the many pharmacological effects of muscarinicreceptor antagonists (antimuscarinic drugs) such as atropine is inhibition of bronchial
secretions. Dries secretions. E.g. ipratropium
Non-small cell lung cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for about 30% of
bronchogenic carcinomas. These tumors are typically located near the hilum and
project into the bronchi. Adenocarcinoma (meaning that the tumor arises from the
glands) constitutes 35–40% of all bronchogenic carcinomas.
orthopnoea
dyspnea when a patient is lying down.
pertussis
is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The symptoms are thick
secretions, a chronic cough and spasm following coughing fits, which give a
characteristic ‘whoop’ sound — hence the common name ‘whooping cough’
Pneumonia
is infection of the lower respiratory tract caused by bacteria, viruses,
fungi, protozoa or parasites. The alveoli and terminal bronchioles fill with infectious
debris and exudate.
Pulmonary embolism
is occlusion of a portion of the pulmonary vascular bed by
an embolus, which can be a thrombus (blood clot), tissue fragment, lipids (fats),
foreign body or an air bubble (air embolism). More than 90% of pulmonary emboli
result from clots formed in the veins of the legs and pelvis.
Small cell lung cancer
Small cell carcinomas constitute 15–20% of bronchogenic
carcinomas. Most of these tumors are central in origin
Status asthmaticus
defined as a severe asthmatic episode that does not respond
to pharmacological management.
Tubercluosis
is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium
that usually affects the lungs but may invade other body systems. Inflammation in
the lung causes activation of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils.
What is Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. The lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli, which fill with air when a healthy person breathes. When an individual has pneumonia, the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and limits oxygen intake.
Typical bacteria associated with pneumonia
Gram Pos - Strepococcus
Pneumoniae - Pneumococcus
Stephlococcal pneumonia
gram neg - legionella pneumophilia
Aetiology of Pneumonia
Infectious micro-organisms
Typical - Gram pos, gram neg bacteria
Atypical - viral - influenza, fungal
CNS dep - loss of gag reflex
impaired immune system - pregnant, old and hiv
Smoking - damages Cilia
Local lung pathologies - CA and COPD
Pathophysiology of pneumonia
4 stages of inflam res
congestion - vascular enlargement, intraveolar fluid and numerous bacteria, lung tissue is heavy, boggy and red.
Red hepatization - massive exudation with RBC, WBC and fibrin filling up the alveolar spaces. affected area appears firm, red and airless with a liverlike consistency
Gray hepatization - progressive disintegration of RBC and persistence of a fibrin exudate
resolution - consolidated exudate within alveolar spaces undergoes enzymatic digestion to produce debris that is later absorbed, ingested by macrophages or coughed up.
Clinical manifestations
Hyperthermia, productive cough, haemoptysis, pain or discomfort, hypoxia, tachypnoea, use of accessory muscles, tachycardia
What are the routine investigations and findings for pneumonia
FBC - elevated white cell count
Blood cultures - systemic INF
Sputum speci - MC & S
Urinalysis - Blood sugar Level
Urea and Electrolytes - Low sodium and high potassium
Chest Xray - Inflam, fluid - patchiness
bronchoscopy and pleurodesis
Potential complications of Pneumonia
Miscarriage, sepsis, respiratory failure, scarring of lung tissue, empyema, pulmonary abscess.
