Assessment Flashcards
When a patient has a high respiratory rate, what is this called?
Tachypnoea. This is when respirations are greater than 20 breaths per minute.
What is a low respiration rate called?
Bradypnoea. This occurs when respiration are below 12 breaths per minute
What can respiratory rate tell you as a nurse?
Respiratory rate is the first vital sign to begin compensating if homeostasis is not maintained in the body.
What happens to resp rate and depth is gas exchange is impaired?
Breaths will be shallow if gas exchange is impaired as only a small amount of air will be passing through the lungs. The respiratory rate will decrease
What impact does impaired/decreased respiratory rate have body fluid and why?
If respiratory rate is impaired, the body is not excreting the CO2 it needs to in order to maintain a normal body pH of 7.35-745. This causes blood to become acidic. Symptoms of acidosis include fatigue, tiring easily, SOB and confusion.
Define Eupnoea
Breathing
Define Apnoea
This is when breathing stops for several seconds. If this persists (carries on) then respiratory arrest can occur
Define Hyperventilation
This is when the rate and depth of respiration increase. Respiratory alkalosis. This is when the pH increases becoming too basic.
Define Hypoventilation
Respiratory rate is abnormally low, depth of ventilation may be decreased. Hypercapnoea can occur ( too much CO2 in blood).
What is Hypoxia?
Hypoxia occurs when there is too little oxygen reaching the tissues. Symptoms of hypoxia include cyanosis (blue) and finger clubbing.
What is dyspnoea?
Dyspnoea is difficulty , laboured or painful breathing
Describe what is meant by a productive cough?
A productive cough is one that produces phlegm when you cough. The phlegm or sputum comes up form the lungs and can be swallowed or spat out.
When would you not want to assess sputum and why?
You do not want to assess sputum straight after a meal because it could be contaminated by food.
What are the characteristics you should look for when assessing sputum?
Colour- clear, yellow, blood stained, brown, green, white
Consistency- frothy, watery, thick
Odour- none, foul
Amount -same as usual, increased,deceased
What is haemoptysis?
Haemoptysis is when sputum is blood stained. It is important to determine if it is associated with coughing and bleeding for the upper respiratory tract, sinus drainage or from thE GI Tract.
