Bronchitis/ Emphysema

Question 0

What is AAT? What significance does it play in the presence of emphysema in younger people?

Answer 0

Alpha-1 anti trypsin is a protein that protects the alveoli from damage. Younger patients with emphysema lack AAT.

Question 1

Define emphysema.

Answer 1

A condition where the alveoli of the lungs become fibrous and inelastic. This limits the exchange of O2 and CO2 bc they merge with echo other and there is less surface area.

Question 2

Define bullae. What is there significance in a persons breathing?

Answer 2

Bullae are large sacs that the alveoli merge to form. The sacs make it harder to breathe because they are less volume and more surface area. A person requires 50% of their energy breathing all day long as opposed to 5% in a normal person.

Question 3

Why does pursed lip exhalation happen?

Answer 3

It happens when exhalation no longer happens spontaneously and the person has to fight thickening and mucus in the alveoli.

Question 4

What is hypoxia? What is a complication of this?

Answer 4

Lack of oxygen flow due to slowing of respiration. Can lead to pulmonary hypertension and Cor-Pulmonale: right sided heart failure.

Question 5

Name some observations related to emphysema:

Answer 5

• rosy appearance/ pink puffers
• bluish appearance/ blue bloaters
• chubbed ends of fingers
• barrel chest
• rales (bubbles, rasps when breathing)

Question 6

Emphysema can be cured.

T/F?

Answer 6

False. It is irreversible.

Question 7

What are some forms of medical treatment for emphysema?

Answer 7

Bronchodilators, diuretics, oxygen, surgeries, heart-lung transplant

Question 8

Define asthma.

Answer 8

Episodes of acute airway obstruction due to bronchospasm and mucus production from exposure to various stimuli.

Question 9

What are the different causes of asthma?

Answer 9

Extrinsic- Type 1 hypersensitive reaction with histamine dilation
Intrinsic- idiopathic, exercise, RTI, stress, genes
Or both (mixed).
Cardiac asthma is related to congestive cardiac failure which results in excess fluid in lungs.

Question 10

What are some factors that are higher risk for asthma development?

Answer 10

Low income children exposed to environmental hazards.
GERD.
Eczema, hay fever, obesity

Question 11

What is status asthmaticus?

Answer 11

an unremitting attack with potential fatal results

Question 12

Explain what happens during an asthmatic attack:

Answer 12

Bronchospasm causes air to be trapped in lungs and they cannot exhale so use accessory muscles of respiration.

Question 13

What are some oils that can be used in steam for asthma treatment?

Answer 13

Frankincense- deepens respiration
Chamomile- soothing
Bergamot- decreases anxiety
Benzoin- bronchodilator 
Lavender- fights infection

Question 14

Differentiate between acute, chronic, simple chronic, mucoprulent, and obstructive bronchitis.

Answer 14

Acute- self limited, eventual healing an return to fn
Chronic- prolonged exposure to irritants, leading to productive cough for 3 months, 2 yrs in a row
Simple chronic- mild, persistent, clear sputum
Mucropulent- thick yellow sputum bc of bacterial infection
Obstructive- structural damage from continual infection, inflamm, coughing

Question 15

What’s classified as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Answer 15

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Question 16

What is the most common cause of bronchitis?

Answer 16

Smoking

Question 17

State the position the client should be in depending on the lobe treated.

Answer 17

Upper lobes are above clavicle and drain down. Seated/ semi-seated
Right middle- client in left side lying and well pillowed.
Lower lobes- prone, pillow under abdomen in a 45 degree angle from sacrum to head.

Question 18

What level should you palpate at to assess symmetry of breathing? What does asymmetry indicate?

Answer 18

T9/T10 level. May indicate penumonia, rib fracture, Atelectasis (collapse of part or all of a lung)

Question 19

Explain vocal/tactile fremitus as it pertains to testing for bronchitis.

Answer 19

When palpating vibration of lungs from one side to the other as your hands move inferiorly on clients back, it will normally decrease because there is tissue in the way.
If decreased below normal-there is an obstructed bronchus, pneumothorax or emphysema
If increase- compression of lung tissue ie lobar pneumonia

Question 20

What do decreased or absent breath sounds signify?

Answer 20

Mucous plug or secretions or emphysema