Chapt 19: Thorax and Lungs

Question 1

What are the four major functions of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

(1) supplying oxygen to the body for energy production
(2) removing carbon dioxide as a waste product of energy reactions
(3) maintaining homeostasis (acid-base balance) of arterial blood
(4) maintaining heat exchange (less important in humans).

Question 2

What is hypoventilation and the results of it?

Answer 2

slow, shallow breathing; causes carbon dioxide to build up in the blood

Question 3

What is hyperventilation and the result of it?

Answer 3

rapid, deep breathing; causes carbon dioxide to be blown off

Question 4

What is hypercapnia?

Answer 4

increase of carbon dioxide in the blood

Question 5

What is hypoxemia?

Answer 5

decrease of oxygen in the blood

Question 6

What is the difference between an acute and chronic cough?

Answer 6

Acute cough lasts less than 2 or 3 weeks;
chronic cough lasts over 2 months.

Question 7

What is chronic bronchitis?

Answer 7

Chronic bronchitis has a history of productive cough for 3 months of the year for 2 years in a
row.

Question 8

What is Hemoptysis?

Answer 8

coughing up of blood

Question 9

What causes the following colors of sputum:
1) White or Clear
2) Yellow or Green
3) Rust
4) Pink and Frothy

Answer 9

(1) white or clear mucoid—colds, bronchitis, viral infections
(2) yellow or green—bacterial infections
(3) rust colored—TB, pneumococcal pneumonia
(4) pink, frothy—pulmonary edema, some sympathomimetic medications have a side effect of pink-tinged mucus.

Question 10

What is dyspnea?

Answer 10

shortness of breath

Question 11

What is Orthopnea?

Answer 11

difficulty breathing when lying down or supine

Question 12

What causes decreased fremitus?

Answer 12

occurs with obstructed bronchus, pleural effusion or thickening, pneumothorax, or emphysema. Any barrier that comes between the sound and your palpating hand decreases
fremitus.