Assessing respiration and temperature Flashcards
Q: What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
A: To supply the body’s tissues with oxygen for metabolism and remove waste carbon dioxide.
Q: What are the two components of respiration?
A:
External respiration: Drawing air into the lungs.
Internal respiration: Gas exchange between lungs, blood, and tissues.
Q: Why is assessing respiratory rate crucial?
A: Changes in respiratory rate are among the earliest indicators of patient deterioration and critical illness.
Q: What is the target oxygen saturation for acutely ill patients?
A: 95–98%, or 88–92% for patients at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure (e.g., COPD).
Q: How should respiratory rate be recorded?
A: For a full minute, to accurately detect changes in rate and pattern.
Q: Why should respiratory rate be recorded discreetly?
A: If patients are aware, they may alter their breathing pattern and rate.
Q: What are common signs of labored breathing?
A: Use of accessory muscles, nasal flaring, pursed lips, or difficulty speaking.
Q: How does oxygen move from the alveoli to the blood?
A: By diffusion, moving down a concentration gradient where oxygen is higher in the alveoli.
Q: What affects the rate of oxygen diffusion in the lungs?
A: The steepness of the oxygen concentration gradient.
Q: What does cyanosis indicate?
A: Poor tissue oxygenation, often visible as bluish skin or lips.
Q: What are some causes of altered respiratory patterns, like tachypnoea or bradypnoea?
A:
Tachypnoea: Pneumonia, panic attack, fever.
Bradypnoea: Alcohol consumption, metabolic disorders.
Q: What is Cheyne-Stokes respiration?
A: A cycle of slow, shallow breaths that become deep and rapid, then subside, leading to apnoea.
Q: What might finger clubbing indicate?
A: Long-term cardiac or respiratory disease.
Q: What does green or thick sputum typically indicate?
A: A chest infection.
Q: What could frothy, pink sputum suggest?
A: Pulmonary oedema.
Q: What is haemoptysis, and what might it indicate?
A: Blood in sputum, which can result from trauma, pulmonary embolus, or pneumonia.
Q: What are best practices for collecting sputum samples?
A: Use gloves and an apron, position yourself to avoid contamination, and ensure the sample is sputum, not saliva.
Q: What respiratory rate is normal for adults at rest?
A: 12–20 breaths per minute.
Q: Why should a NEWS2 chart be used?
A: To monitor respiratory rate and oxygen saturation trends, triggering alerts for deteriorating conditions.
Q: How should used sputum containers be handled?
A: Dispose of them following local infection control policies, and wash hands after the procedure.
Q: What should be done if a patient shows signs of restlessness or confusion during respiratory assessment?
A: Consider poor tissue oxygenation as a potential cause, but evaluate other possible factors.
Q: Why is it important to allow the patient to rest for 5 minutes before assessing respiration?
A: To ensure the respiratory rate reflects the true resting state, avoiding artificially elevated rates.
Q: What should be assessed in the chest for respiratory effort?
A: Symmetry of chest movement, use of accessory muscles, and any deformities affecting breathing.
Q: How do deformities like kyphosis or scoliosis impact respiration?
A: They can interfere with the mechanics of breathing, reducing efficiency.