EXAM 1 Flashcards
Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, ABGs
What are the 3 normal breath sounds?
vesicular; bronchovesicular; bronchial
What do PFTs (pulmonary function tests) measure?
lung volume & airflow
What does deep breathing promote and what does it assist in doing?
It promotes air movement through the pores; assists in moving mucus out of the bronchioles
Alveoli total volume?
2500 mL
Where are the vocal cords located?
larynx
What is the larynx also known as?
the voice box
What is the opening between the vocal cords called?
glottis
Air passes through the __________ and into the __________. (intubation marker)
glottis; trachea
The lower respiratory tract consists of what structures?
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli
What procedure involves inserting a needle through the chest wall, usually under CT guidance?
TTNA (Percutaneous Needle Aspiration)
Why is a chest x-ray ordered after a TTNA (Percutaneous Needle Aspiration)?
a risk for pneumothorax
Where are gases exchanged? (where the alveoli come in contact with pulmonary capillaries)
alveolar- capillary membrane
When excess fluid fills the interstitial space & alveoli what is reduced?
gas exchange
What condition happens when excess fluid fills the interstitial space and alveoli reducing gas exchange?
pulmonary edema
What are sputum samples examined for?
culture and sensitivity; to identify an infecting organism or to confirm a diagnosis
What important observations should be made of sputum?
color, volume, viscosity, presence or absence of blood
Why are skin tests performed?
allergic reactions or exposure to fungi or TB
What are the results of a PFT used for?
diagnosis of pulmonary disease; monitor disease progression; evaluate disability; evaluate response to bronchodilators
What is the exercise test used for and what is being monitored?
determine if o2 should be used at home & determine exercise capacity; monitor expired oxygen, carbon dioxide, resp. rate, heart rate & heart rhythm (all while walking on a treadmill)
What is monitored during a modified test (desaturation test)?
only SpO2
What is the 6 min walk test used for? What is monitored and measured?
-used to measure functional capacity & response to treatment in patients with heart or lung disease.
-A pulse ox is usually used to monitor the patient during the walk.
-The distance walked is measured and used to monitor the progression of disease or improvement after rehab.
What are chest x-rays for and what are the most common views?
used to screen, diagnose, & evaluate changes in respiratory system; anterior-posterior (AP) & lateral
A procedure performed for diagnosis of suspicious lesions too difficult to assess (mediastinum, hilum, pleural) by conventional x-ray studies.
Computed Tomography (CT)
What are some common types of Computed Tomography?
helical or spiral CT (contrast media usually used); high-resolution CT scan (contrast media is not used)
Which type of Computed Tomography (CT scan) is used to diagnose a PE?
Spiral/ Helical CT
What medication should be stopped prior to a CT with contrast and withheld for 48hrs after the procedure?
Metformin
What should be assessed and documented during an assessment of the posterior chest?
any spinal curvature
What should the patient be educated on regarding a procedure with contrast?
it is Nephrotoxic; should be flushed out- increase PO or IV fluids to flush out of system
Spinal curvatures that affect breathing
Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Kyphoscoliosis
Normal tracheal positioning
midline (if there is a deviation to the left or the right it is abnormal)
What procedure is used for in-depth diagnosis of lesions too difficult to assess by CT scan (lung apex) and for differentiating vascular from non-vascular structures?
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
What scan is used to assess ventilation & perfusion of the lungs?
*IV radioisotope is given to assess perfusion- if radioactivity is diminished or absent this suggests a lack of perfusion or airflow.
Ventilation- Perfusion scan (V/Q)
Ventilation without perfusion suggests what?
a PE (Pulmonary Embolus/ blood clot)
What is the vibration in the chest while talking called?
fremitus
A procedure in which the bronchi are visualized through a fiberoptic tube?
Bronchoscopy
What is a bronchoscopy used for?
for diagnostic purposes- to obtain biopsy specimens & assess changes resulting from treatment; as treatment to remove mucus plugs or foreign bodies
A procedure where a rigid scope with a lens is passed through a trocar placed in the pleura via 1 or 2 small incisions in the intercostal muscles.
-The procedure of choice when appropriate as it is much less invasive than an open lung biopsy.
-A physician views the lesions on a monitor directly via the lens & biopsy specimens are taken.
-A chest tube is kept in place until the lungs expand.
-Lesions in the pleura or peripheral lung can be biopsied.
VATS (Video- Assisted Thoracic Surgery)
An invasive procedure used when a pulmonary disease cannot be diagnosed by other less invasive procedures.
-The patient is anesthetized, the chest is opened with a thoracotomy incision, and a biopsy specimen is obtained.
-A chest tube is expected after the procedure to remove air or fluid.
Open Lung Biopsy
When doing a respiratory assessment, inquire about the use of which medication class that has a side effect of a cough?
ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin- converting enzyme)
When you are assessing the characteristics of an abnormal breath sound, what should you note?
location, pitch (high or low), duration of the sound
All the lower airway structures are located inside the lungs except for what structures?
the right and left main-stem bronchi
The small flap located behind the tongue that closes over the larynx during swallowing is called what?
epiglottis
What does the epiglottis prevent from happening?
solids and liquids from entering the lungs (aspiration)
How should you document adventitious sounds?
-divide the anterior and posterior lungs into 3rds (upper, middle, lower) and note the pitch, duration and location
ex: crackles posterior right lower lung field
What are the 5 defense mechanisms of the respiratory system?
filtration of air, mucociliary clearance system, cough reflex, reflex bronchoconstriction, alveolar macrophages
What do the 5 defense mechanisms of the respiratory system protect the lungs from?
inhaled particles, microorganisms, & toxic gases
What filters inspired air?
Nasal hairs
About how many mLs of mucus is continually secreted daily?
100
Mucus forms a mucus blanket that contains what from the lung areas?
particles and debris
What beats rhythmically in the large airways (about 1000x/ min)?
cilia
What does the rhythmic beat of the cilia move toward the mouth?
mucus
Does the cilia beat faster or slower the further down you go into the lung areas?
slower
What should be documented if a patient uses oxygen?
flow rate (FlO2) in liters/ min, number of hours used per day, effectiveness of the therapy
When alveoli are collapsed and airless it is referred to as what?
atelectasis
What nursing care should be followed for a post-surgical patient to prevent atelectasis?
change the patient’s position often & have them deep breath
What are some risk factors for atelectasis?
post-surgery, restricted breathing from pain (ex, broken rib), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
What do alveolar secrete and why do they need it?
surfactant; to keep from collapsing
What reduces the amount of pressure needed to inflate the alveoli and without it may lead to a collapse (atelectasis)?
surfactant
Which of the main-stem bronchi is shorter, wider, and straighter, and where aspiration is more likely to happen?
the right main-stem bronchi
Most large particles do not reach the alveoli but are removed where?
nasopharynx or bronchi
What is accomplished by the mucociliary clearance system?
the movement of mucus
What term is used to indicate the interrelationship between the secretion of mucus and the ciliary activity?
mucociliary clearance system
What do chemoreceptors respond to?
a change in the PaCO2 and pH (changes in hydrogen ion concentration)
Where in the brain are central chemoreceptors located?
medulla
An increase in H+ concentration
acidosis
A decrease in H+ concentration
alkalosis
During a respiratory assessment, determine if a patient has been hospitalized for a respiratory problem and document what information?
dates, therapy, surgeries, current status of the problem
Loud, high-pitched normal breath sound that resembles air blowing through a hollow pipe (heard next to the trachea).
bronchial sounds
A breath sound with medium pitch and intensity that can be heard anteriorly over the main-stem bronchi on either side of the sternum and posteriorly between the scapulae.
bronchovesicular sounds
A normal breath sound that is relatively a soft, low-pitched, gentle, rustling sound that is heard over all the lung areas except the major bronchi.
vesicular sounds
Rhonchi is now referred to as what?
wheezes
What are the 5 adventitious breath sounds?
fine crackles, coarse crackles, wheezes, stridor and pleural friction rub
Where does air enter into the respiratory tract?
through the nose
How many lobes is the right lung divided into? What are they called?
3; upper, middle, lower
How many lobes is the left lung divided into? What are they called?
2; upper, lower
What organ is located on the left side/ left lung area?
the heart
What percentage of oxygenating does the right lung do?
60- 65%
The overall direction of air movement is from _______ concentration to the _______ concentration. (diffusion)
higher; lower
_______ moves from alveolar gas (atomspheric air) into the arterial blood and _________ from the arterial blood into the alveolar gas (atomspheric air).
Oxygen; Carbon Dioxide
Diffusion continues until ______ is reached.
equilibrium
A series of short-duration, discontinuous, high-pitched sounds that are heard just before the end of inspiration.
(similar sound to that made by rolling hair between fingers just behind the ear)
fine crackles
A series of long-duration, discontinuous, low-pitched sounds caused by air passing through the airway intermittently occluded by mucus, unstable bronchial wall or fold of mucosa.
-Evident on inspiration and at times, expiration.
-Similar sound- blowing through a straw under water; they increase in bubbling quality with more fluid
coarse crackles
Continuous high-pitched squeaking or musical sounds caused by rapid vibration of bronchial walls.
-First evident on expiration but possibly evident on inspiration as obstruction of the airway increases.
-Possibly audible without a stethoscope.
wheezes
Where are the peripheral chemoreceptors located?
carotid bodies and aortic arch
What do peripheral chemoreceptors respond to?
a decrease in PaO2 & pH & an increase in PaCO2.
Peripheral chemoreceptors cause stimulation where?
the respiratory center
Each person, normally, does what after every 5-6 breaths?
takes a slightly larger breath- termed a sigh
A continuous musical or crowing sound of constant pitch.
-result of partial obstruction of larynx or trachea
bad
-usually using accessory muscles
stridor
What does a sigh/ slightly larger breath do to the alveoli and what does it promote?
stretches the alveoli and promotes surfactant secretion
A cough is only effective in removing secretions where?
in the large or main airways
A defense mechanism to the inhalation of large amounts of irritating substances (dust, aerosols) is called what?
-the bronchi constrict to prevent the entry of the irritants.
reflex bronchoconstriction
The trachea is also called what?
wind pipe
What keep the trachea open but allow the adjacent esophagus to expand for swallowing?
u-shaped cartilages
A cylindrical tube about 5 in. long and 1 in. in diameter.
trachea
What may an asthmatic (someone with hyper-reactive airways) experience after inhalation of triggers such as cold air, perfume, or other strong odors?
bronchoconstriction
What kind of cells are not found below the level of the respiratory bronchioles?
ciliated cells
What is the primary defense mechanism at the alveolar level?
alveolar macrophages
What rapidly phagocytizes inhaled foreign particles such as bacteria?
alveolar macrophages
Debris that is moved to the level of the bronchioles is removed from the lungs by what?
cilia or the lymphatic system
What does the bronchial circulation do?
provides O2 to bronchi & pulmonary tissue
Where does bronchial circulation start?
the bronchial arteries
Where do bronchial arteries arise from?
the thoracic aorta
Deoxygenated blood returns from the bronchial circulation through which vein into the superior vena cava?
azygos vein
What protects the lungs and the heart from injury and is called the thoracic cage?
the ribs
What is the space in the middle of the thoracic cavity?
mediastinum
What major organs of the chest are housed in the mediastinum?
heart, aorta, esophagus
What physically separates the right from the left lung into 2 separate compartments?
mediastinum
What are the 2 types of pleura and where is each located?
parietal line- chest cavity; visceral line- the lungs
Which pleura does not have any sensory pain fibers or nerve endings?
visceral pleura
Which pleura has sensory pain fibers so irritation and inflammation cause pain?
parietal pleura
What is the major muscle of respiration that pulls air into the lungs when it contracts?
diaphragm
What does the contraction of the diaphragm decrease?
intrathoracic pressure
The tendency for the lungs to return to their original size is called what?
elastic recoil
When intrathoracic pressure rises what does it cause the air in the lungs to do?
move out
The ease of expansion of the lungs
Compliance