CHAP1 Flashcards
What is oxygenation?
Mechanisms that facilitate or impair the body’s ability to supply oxygen to cells.
What is respiration?
An act of inhaling and exhaling air to transport oxygen to alveoli.
What is the role of carbon dioxide in respiration?
Carbon dioxide is expelled from the body after oxygen exchange.
What is ventilation?
The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What factors impair the body’s ability to supply oxygen to cells?
Disease conditions such as COPD and asthma.
What depends on a healthy and intact respiratory system?
Adequate oxygenation.
What are the steps in oxygenation?
- Ventilation
- Perfusion
- Diffusion
Define perfusion.
The ability of the cardiovascular system to pump oxygenated blood to the tissues and return deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
What is diffusion in the context of oxygenation?
Exchange of respiratory gases in the alveoli and capillaries.
What are the primary functions of the respiratory system?
- Delivers oxygen to the bloodstream
- Removes excess carbon dioxide
- Sound production
- Protection from dust and microbes
What is the function of the nasal cavity?
Moistens air, warms it, filters air, and helps with the sense of smell.
What is the pharynx responsible for?
Carries food and air, warms and humidifies air, aids in taste and hearing, and provides protection.
What are the functions of the larynx?
Contains vocal cords for pitch, volume, and resonance.
What is the glottis?
The space between the vocal cords that helps in breathing and sound production.
What does the epiglottis do?
Keeps food and liquid out of the respiratory tract during swallowing.
What is the structure of the trachea?
C-shaped rings of cartilage that keep it open and allow the esophagus to expand.
What are the two parts of the lower respiratory tract?
- Bronchi
- Lungs
What are alveoli?
Functional units of the lungs where O2 is exchanged.
What is pulmonary surfactant?
A substance synthesized by type II cells that reduces surface tension in the alveoli.
What is compliance in relation to the respiratory system?
The lungs’ ability to stretch and expand.
What factors affect ventilation?
- Compliance
- Resistance
What is resistance in the context of ventilation?
The force that opposes the flow of gases from one point to another.
What can cause increased resistance in the airways?
- Small endotracheal tube
- Bronchospasm
- Mucosal edema
- Airway obstruction
What does the V/Q ratio stand for?
Ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) ratio.
What is a V/Q mismatch?
An imbalance between ventilation and perfusion leading to ineffective gas exchange.
What are common symptoms of a V/Q mismatch?
- Dyspnea
- Cyanosis
- Tachycardia
- Confusion
What factors influence work of breathing?
Increased resistance and decreased compliance.
What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?
12 - 20 breaths/min.
What is eupnea?
Normal breathing pattern.
Define tachypnea.
Respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths/min.
What is bradypnea?
Respiratory rate less than 10 breaths/min.
What are crackles?
Popping, crackling sounds heard on inspiration, indicating lung problems.
What are rhonchi?
Rumbling sounds heard on expiration, associated with lung conditions.
What is a pleural friction rub?
A dry, grating sound heard on both inspiration and expiration due to inflamed pleura.
What is the purpose of incentive spirometry?
To promote lung expansion after surgery or prolonged bed rest.
What does an arterial blood gas (ABG) test measure?
The levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
What is the purpose of taking chest X-rays?
To visualize the lungs when they are well aerated, typically taken after full inspiration.
What is Incentive Spirometry used for?
To promote lung expansion after prolonged bed rest or surgery.