Ch14 - Respiratory System Flashcards
Respiration
The process of inhaling air into the lungs and exhaling air out of the lungs
Functions of the respiratory system
Bring oxygen into the body
Eliminate carbon dioxide produced by the body
Normal changes of aging in the respiratory system
Decreased lung strength
Decreased lung capacity
Decreased oxygen in blood
Weakened voice
Rhinitis
Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nasal passages
Sinusitis
Inflammation of the lining of the sinuses
Asthma
A chronic inflammatory disease that causes difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing
Treatments for rhinitis and sinusitis
Intranasal corticosteroids reduce inflammation
Intranasal or oral antihistamines (for allergies)
Intranasal saline moisturizes nasal passages
Intranasal or oral decongestants constrict blood vessels in the nose to reduce congestion
Leukotriene receptor antagonist reduces inflammation in the airways
Treatments for asthma
Maintenance medications: inhaled corticosteroids, inhaled long-acting bronchodilators
Rescue medications for acute attacks: short-acting bronchodilators via metered-dose inhaler or nebulizer
Short course of oral corticosteroids may help with flare-ups
Influenza
A respiratory illness caused by a virus, common in fall and winter
Bronchitis
Irritation and inflammation of the lining of the bronchi, can be caused by influenza or cold viruses
Pneumonia
A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection that causes acute inflammation in lung tissue, causing fever, chills, cough, green sputum, chest pain, and rapid pulse
Treatments for influenza
Vaccinations can prevent infection
Antivirals can reduce severity of symptoms if taken early
Analgesis and decongestants can help manage symptoms
Treatments for bronchitis
Analgesics and antipyretics can control headache and fever
Antitussive agents help control cough
Expectorants thin mucus in the lungs
Antibiotics are only prescribed when bacterial pneumonia is suspected
Treatments for pneumonia
Antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection, depending on resident’s history of antibiotic use
Hospital-acquired pneumonia is treated with specific antibiotic agents
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A chronic, progressive and incurable lung disease that causes difficulty breathing, weakness, and high risk for lung infections
Emphysema
A chronic disease of the lungs that usually results from chronic bronchitis and cigarette smoking
Treatments for COPD
Quitting smoking is first line of treatment
Oxygen therapy
Short-acting bronchodilators and long-acting bronchodilators both help resident breath more easily
Roflumilast reduces lung inflammation
Pleurisy
A condition caused by inflammation of the pleura (thin layers of tissue that separate the lungs from the chest wall)
Atelectasis
A condition in which a lung becomes blocked and unable to expand as it should
Pulmonary embolism
A blood clot or other blockage found in the lung
Treatments for pleurisy
Treatment for any underlying condition (infection, injury)
Analgesics (NSAIDs, acetaminophen)
Treatments for atelectasis
Mucolytics break up excessive mucus in the lungs
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
Oxygen
Treatments for pulmonary embolism
Immediately: anticoagulants by injection or IV
Oral anticoagulants may prevent further clots
Tuberculousis (TB)
A highly contagious lung disease that causes fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, coughing, shortness of breath
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
Type of tuberculosis caused by an organism that is resistant to medication used to treat TB
Resistant
A state in which drugs no longer work to kill specific bacteria
Treatments for tuberculosis (TB)
Intensive phase: four antibiotics administered together for eight weeks
Continuation phase: two antibiotics continued for for months
Failure to complete course of antibiotics can result in a drug-resistant form of the disease
