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.
Q: What does a barrel chest typically indicate?
A: Chronic respiratory conditions like emphysema or living at high altitudes.
Q: Why should the patient’s breath odour be noted during respiratory assessment?
A: Specific odours can indicate underlying conditions, e.g., fruity odour for ketoacidosis or faecal odour for intestinal obstruction.
Q: What are the common sounds associated with partial airway obstruction?
A:
Stridor: High-pitched wheezing from laryngeal or bronchial obstruction.
Stertor: Noisy, snoring-like breathing, often due to secretions or upper airway obstruction.
Q: What are the critical steps if a patient stops breathing (apnoea)?
A: Follow the ABCs of resuscitation: open the airway, assess breathing, and perform chest compressions if necessary.
Q: What colour of sputum indicates smoke inhalation?
A: Mucoid sputum with black specks.
Q: How should oxygen saturation trends be monitored?
A: Record respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and inspired oxygen concentration together, assessing for changes over time.
Q: Why is recording a child’s temperature vital?
A: It provides critical information about infection status and overall health, helping assess if a child’s condition is improving or deteriorating.
Q: Why are mercury thermometers no longer recommended for children?
A: Due to safety concerns; modern electronic or chemical dot thermometers are safer and easier to use.
Q: What are the recommended temperature recording methods for children aged 5 years and over?
A: Tympanic, oral, and axillary methods using electronic or chemical dot thermometers.
Q: What is considered a normal core body temperature?
A: Around 37°C, though it can vary depending on age, environment, and illness.
Q: What temperature defines pyrexia in children?
A: A body temperature of 38°C or higher.
Q: How does the body maintain normothermia?
A: Through vasoconstriction to retain heat, vasodilation to release heat, and mechanisms like sweating and shivering.
Q: What precautions should be taken when using a tympanic thermometer?
A: Use the same ear for consecutive readings, ensure the probe is clean, and avoid measuring if the child has been lying on the ear.
Q: How do you position a child’s ear for a tympanic temperature reading?
A: Gently pull the pinna up and back to straighten the ear canal.
Q: What is the procedure for reading a tympanic thermometer?
A: Insert the device, press the activation button, wait for the beep, and then read the display.
Q: How do you prepare for an axillary temperature reading?
A: Decontaminate hands, ensure the axilla is clean and dry, and select the appropriate probe cover.
Q: How is the thermometer positioned for an axillary reading?
A: Place the probe in the axilla, and have the child hold their arm against their chest for proper skin contact.
Q: How long does it take to get an axillary temperature reading?
A: Typically 10–15 seconds with an electronic thermometer or up to 3 minutes for a chemical dot thermometer.
Q: Where should the thermometer probe be placed for an oral reading?
A: Under the tongue in the posterior sublingual heat pocket
