CH 16: Respiratory Changes Flashcards
respiratory effects of aging
-Connective tissue changes to the nose
-Reduced secretions in the submucosal gland
-Calcification of the trachea cartilage
-Reduction in size and weight of the lungs
–Decreased elastic recoil of the lungs during expiration
–Reduced elasticity of the alveoli
–Loss of skeletal muscle strength controlling the diaphragm
-Lose and brittle teeth may be aspirated
-Reduced cough and gag reflex
-Decreased gastric motility
-Immobility
assessment of respiratory function
Skin color for face, ears, neck, fingers, toes, nose
Chest Structure and Posture
Breathing Pattern
Cough
skin color respiratory assessment
-Pink and Ruddy – Emphysema and Hypoxia related to high carbon dioxide levels in the blood
-Bluish or Gray coloration due to from lack of oxygen binding to the hemoglobin
chest structure and posture respiratory assessment
Anterior – Posterior diameter increase – barrel chest (COPD)
Kyphosis -hunchback - decreased diaphragm strength - diaphragm
Lordosis - sway back - an abnormal inward curvature of the lumbar spine -
Scoliosis - a sideways curvature of the spine - lung expansion
breathing pattern respiratory assessment
Needing to sit in the tripod position to breathe
Use of accessory muscles to breathe
Pulse oximetry readings less than 92
cough in respiratory assessment
Note the presence, frequency, and characteristics of any cough that you may observe
respiratory health promotion
-influenza and pneumonia vaccines
-smoking cessation
-preventing immobility
-advised against treating respiratory problems themselves
-environmental factors
-oral health
respiratory conditions
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
-Asthma
-Chronic bronchitis
-Emphysema
Pneumonia
Influenza
Lung Cancer
Lung Abscess
factors of asthma
-can develop in older years
-high risk of complications of bronchiectasis, cardiac problems
-high rates of mortality
-assess for causative factors, triggers and education patient
-evaluate aerosol nebulizers use
-use of sympathomimetics can cause tachyarrythmias - use xopedex (no HR change)
-precaution: avoid adverse drug effects
-use of rescue inhaler
Causes persistent, productive cough; wheezing; recurrent respiratory infections; shortness of breath
chronic bronchitis
management of chronic bronchitis
-remove bronchial secretions - thick greenish color
-prevent obstruction of airway from inability to remove secretions
-maintain adequate fluid intake
-expectorate secretions
-if worsens - leads to emphysema
causes of emphysema
cigarette smoking
chronic bronchitis
chronic irritation from air pollutants
morphologic changes in the lung – destruction of alveoli
factors of emphysema
-increasing incidence in older adults
-cigarette smoking major role in development
-symptoms develop slowly, which can delay diagnosis and treatment
symptoms of emphysema
gradual dyspnea
chronic cough
hypoxia
fatigue
anorexia
weight loss
weakness
treatment of emphysema in older adults
Postural drainage, bronchodilators, avoid stress, and breathing exercises
education, nutrition and support for emphysema
Small feedings and high-protein supplements
pace activities
avoid extremely cold weather - bronchospasms
recognizing symptoms of infection
leading cause of death in older adults
pneumonia