Airway clearance in normal lung Flashcards
1
Q
Mucociliary escalator
A
Composed of mucous producing goblet cells and ciliated epithelium
Major barrier against infection
Clears secretions produced by airways
2
Q
Cough
A
Explosive expiration that clears tracheobronchial tree of secretions and foreign material
3
Q
Alveolar macrophages
A
Engulf foreign particles in alveoli
Impaired by smoking, alcohol, oxidant gases etc
4
Q
Mucociliary escalator requirements
A
Temp of 37 degrees
Absolute humidity of 44 mg/dm
5
Q
How to assist humidification
A
Nebulised saline
Increase fluid intake
Limit intake of caffeine
Sip water regularly
6
Q
Tenacious sputum management
A
Oscillating PEP, nebulised saline
7
Q
Unstable airways susceptible to collapse
A
Positive expiratory therapy
