Acute Respiratory Failure Flashcards
Define Hypoxemia
an abnormally low concentration of oxygen in the blood
Define Hypoxia
Lack of oxygen to tissues
Define Hypercapnia
High levels of carbon dioxide in blood
Define Dsypnoea
Difficult or laboured breathing
Define Tachypneoea
Abnormally rapid breathing
Define stridor
A harsh, grating vibrating breath/lung sounds
Define tracheal tug
Movement of the trachea due to underlying respiratory issues
What is meant when someone is using accessory muscles?
When a patient is having such difficulty with breathing and obtaining oxygen into the lungs so the other muscles try to assist in getting air into the lungs such as abdominal muscles.
Define Tidal Volume
The amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs each respiratory cycle
Define function residual capacity
The amount of air that remains in the lungs after a passive expiration
Define Prone Positioning
face-down with their head in a neutral position without excessive flexion, extension, or rotation.
What are corticosteroid medications give examples
Steroids, or anti inflammatory drugs , cortisone , hydrocortisone, prednisone.
What is hypoxaemic respiratory failure
When the lungs can’t meet the demands of the tissues or an exchange problem eg not enough haemoglobin
What is hypercapnic respiratory failure
When there’s CO2 in the blood, lungs can’t clear the CO2 so it starts building up in circulatory system
What is acute respiratory failure?
A direct result of inadequate carbon dioxide removal oxygen collected by the haemoglobin resulting in hypoxaemia
What are some symptoms of hypercapnia respiratory failure?
Dyspnoea, tachypnoea, shallow breaths, decreased tidal volume, pursed lip breathing, tripod positioning, disorientations
What are the respiratory symptoms of hypoxemic respiratory failure?
Dyspnoea, tachypnoea, prolonged expiration, intercostal muscle contraction, use of accessory muscle, decreased Sa02 <80% , Cynaosis (Late sign)
What are some CNS symptoms Of hypoxemic respiratory failure ?
Agitation, disorientation, confusion, delirium, restlessness, combative
What are some cardiac system symptoms hypoxemic respiratory failure ?
Increased HR, Increased BP, diaphoresis, Arrhythmias
What us acute Respiratory Disease?
When a direct or indirect injury occurs to the lungs. Which results in the alveoli-capillary membrane becoming permeable to intravascular fluids. The patient develops serve hyperaemia that does not respond with supplemental o2. An immune response is triggered and cytokines are realised which brings neutrophils to the lungs
What are some examples of direct lung injuries in ARDs?
COVID19, Pneumonia, aspiration, smoke or toxic gas inhalation, lung contusion, fat embolism
What are some indirect causes of lung injury in ARDs?
Sepsis, traumas (head, burns), multiple blood transfusions, drug overdose.
What organs are most sensitive to hypoxemia?
Brain and kidneys
How many stages are there to ARDs?
Three
Explain stage one of ARDs
injury to exudative stage 1-7 days after initial lung injury. Interstitial and alveolar oedema. Atelectasis in small areas of lungs.
Explain stage two of ARDs
Reparative or proliferative phase, 1-2 weeks after initial lung injury.
Alveolar sacs are filled up with fluid containing neutrophils and erythrocytes
Lungs become dense and lung compliance decreases
if continue widespread fibrosis results
Explain stage three of ARDs
Fibrotic stage - 2/3 weeks after initial lung injury
lung compliance and gas exchange , pulmonary hypertensions and destruction of pulmonary vasculature
