COPD/ Respiratory Disorders Flashcards
Airway patency
free flow of air between external environment and lungs
Ventilation
The movement of air into and out of lungs
Diffusion
The movement of gases between air spaces in the lungs and blood stream
Perfusion
The movement of blood into and out of the capillary beds of lungs to body organs and tissues
Compliance
How easy it is for the lungs to expand
What are the overall goals for a COPD/CORD patient?
1) Prevention of disease progressions
2) Ability to perform ADL’s
3) Relief from symptoms
4) No complications related to COPD
5) Knowledge and ability to implement a long-term treatment regimen
6) Overall improved quality of life
What are turbinate bones?
Bones in the nose that cause air to spiral and mix, the bones are covered in mucous to filter bugs out, warm the air and saturate it with moisture so that the air does not dry out alveoli
What are the two types of COPD?
1) Chronic Bronchitis
2) Emphysema
What is chronic bronchitis?
The presence of a productive cough for 3 months in each of 2 consecutive years. It results from inspired irritants in the airway, causing inflammation, bronchial oedema and increases the size and number of mucous glands. Thick mucous is produced and cannot be cleared, eventually all airways are involved and expiratory obstruction results, trapping airway in lungs as the airway collapses early in expiration.
What is emphysema?
Abnormal, permanent enlargement of alveoli as well as the destruction of the alveoli. Emphysema results from changes in the lung tissues usually due to smoke or dust irritants; it begins with the destruction of the alveoli septa, which eliminates portions of the capillary bed and increases the volume of air in the alveoli (i.e, where does the air/O2 go if the capillary gas exchange is being destoryed? This results in hypoxemia and air trapping in the lungs.
Lung parenchyma fibrosis is what?
Altered lung elasticity and pressure
Permanent damage to alveoli
what is the pathophysiology to COPD/CORD
1) Inflammation of mucosa Increased mucus production Decreased ciliary clearance Oedema 2) Oedema and tissue irritation (cytokines) Reduction to airflow due to bronchoconstriction 3) Poor airflow Impaired delivery of air to alveoli Impaired gas exchange 4) Inflammation of respiratory membrane Thickening of respiratory membrane Impaired gas exchange 5) Prolonged tissue damage and destruction due to chronic inflammation
How would you diagnose COPD? Start from the very basics.
1) Look for signs and symptoms
2) Listen and observe breathing patterns
3) O2 sats (Vital signs)
4) Lung volume tests esp a spirometry test.
5) AGB- (measures the partial pressure of systemic arterial blood gases)
6) Six minute walk test
Briefly describe Obstructive conditions
Reduced airflow
Increased resistance
(Chronic Bronchitis)
Briefly describe Restrictive conditions
Reduced expansion
Reduced compliance
(Emphysema)
