Alterations og Pulmonary System

Question 1

What does increased PaCO2 indicate?

What is normal PaCO2 levels?

Answer 1

Hypoventilation/respiratory acidosis

36-44mmHg

Question 2

What complications can low pH in hypercapnic patients lead to?

Answer 2

Electrolyte imbalances and thus dysrhythmias

Somnolence and coma

Question 3

What are possible causes of hypercapnia?

Answer 3

Depression of resp center by drugs
Diseases/trauma o medulla
Thoracic cage abnormality
Large airway obstruction 
Increased work of breathing

Question 4

How do hypoxemia and hypoxia differ?

Answer 4

Hypoxemia is reduced oxygenation of arterial blood due to respiratory alterations.
Hypoxia is reduced oxygenation of cells and tissues can be due to other symptoms.

Question 5

Define clubbing and its cause:

Answer 5

Bulbous enlargement of distal portion of a digit

Due to impaired oxygenation and associated with disease such as bronchiectasis, CF, pulmonary fibrosis and CHF

Question 6

In what order should asthma drugs be administered?

Answer 6

Bronchodilators 
Long acting bronchodilators
Anticholinergic agents 
Inhaled corticosteroids 
Oral steroids 
IV steroids

Question 7

What genetic deficiency is emphysema linked to?

Answer 7

Deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin, inhibiting proteolytic enzymes