Exam 2 Breathing Systems: Part 1 (6/20/24) Flashcards
Six Definitions of a Breathing System:
- Receives gas mixture from the machine
- Delivers gas to the patient
- Removes CO2
- Provides heating and humidification of the gas mixture
- Allows spontaneous, assisted, or controlled respiration
- Provides gas sampling, measures airway pressure, and monitors volume
When gas is passing through a tube, where will the pressure be the highest?
the pressure at the inlet will be higher than at the outlet
Describe Laminar Flow
Flow is smooth and orderly
Particles move parallel to the tube walls
Flow is fastest in the center where there is less friction
True or False:
In laminar flow, the flow rate is the same across the diameter of the tube?
FALSE!
Flow is fastest in the center where there is less friction
Which Law is used to describe Laminar Flow?
Poiseuille’s Law
What type of flow is this?
Laminar Flow
What type of flow?
Localized Turbulent Flow
What type of flow is this?
Localized Turbulent Flow
What type of flow is this?
Generalized Turbulent Flow
What is the name given if the particles are moving across or opposite the general direction of flow ?
“Eddies”
Turbulent Flow
In turbulent flow, is the flow rate the same or does it differ across the diameter of the tube?
Flow rate is same across diameter of tube
Describe Generalized Turbulent Flow:
When the flow of gas through a tube exceeds the critical flow rate
Describe Localized Turbulent Flow
Gas flow rate below the critical flow rate but encounters constrictions, curves, or valves
To minimize resistance, gas-conducting pathways should have ___
- minimal length
- maximal internal diameter
- be without sharp curves or sudden changes in diameter
Changes in resistance ___ changes in the work of breathing
Parallel
What is one example of something that causes more resistance than the breathing system?
ET Tube
What is compliance?
What does it measure?
Ratio of the change in volume over the change in pressure.
Measures Distensibility (ml/cm H2O)
What are the most distensible components of our breathing system?
Breathing Tubes (Corrugated Tubing)
Reservoir Bags
Compliance can help determine the patient’s ___.
Tidal Volume
To inhale previously inspired gases from which CO2 may or may not have been removed:
Rebreathing
What is Rebreathing influenced by?
- Fresh gas flow (High vs Low)
- Dead space
- Breathing system design (Semi, Closed, Open)
Amount of rebreathing varies ___ with the ___.
Inversely
total FGF
Will rebreathing occur or not?
Patient’s Minute ventilation is 5L/min and the FGF is 6L/min:
NO! The FGF is greater than the patient’s minute volume.
So long as exhaled gas is vented (not a closed system)
Will rebreathing occur or not?
Patient’s Minute ventilation is 6L/min and the FGF is 6L/min:
NO! The FGF is equal to the patient’s minute volume.
So long as exhaled gas is vented (not a closed system)
Will rebreathing occur or not?
Patient’s Minute ventilation is 6L/min and the FGF is 4L/min:
YES! The patient’s minute volume is greater than the FGF rate.
Will rebreathing occur or not?
Patient’s tidal volume is 600 mls and has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute. The FGF is at 5L/min.
YES! The patient’s minute volume is greater than the FGF rate.
Minute volume = (Vt) x (RR per min)
True or False:
Some of the exhaled gases must be rebreathed to make up required volume
TRUE
Define Apparatus Dead Space:
Examples?
Volume in a breathing system occupied by gases that are rebreathed without change in composition
Ex: ETT, Face Mask, anything distal to Y-Piece
How can we decrease the amount of Apparatus Dead space?
by having inspiratory and expiratory limb separation as close to patient as possible
Summation of anatomical and alveolar dead spaces equals…
Physiologic Dead Space
Define Anatomical Dead space:
amount in the conducting airways; adds H2O vapor
2 Things that rebreathing reduces:
- Heat loss
- Moisture loss
Six desirable characteristics of a Breathing Circuit:
- Low resistance to gas flow
- Minimal Rebreathing
- Removal of CO2 at the same rate of production
- Rapid changes in delivered gas when required
- Warmed humidification of inspired gas
- Safe disposal of waste gases
Describe an Open Circuit:
Example?
No reservoir bag and no rebreathing.
Ex. Nasal Cannula
Patient’s minute ventilation is 4L/min and the FGF is 6L/min, what kind of circuit are we likely dealing with?
Semi-Open:
Reservoir bag but no rebreathing.