gas exchange

Question 1

where does gas exchange occur?

Answer 1

alveoli

Question 2

how do oxygen and carbon dioxide move between the alveoli and the capillaries?

Answer 2

gases move from a high pressure and concentration to a low pressure and concentration

Question 3

what do we already know about oxygen?

Answer 3

-each hemoglobin is limited by the amount of oxygen it can carry
-hemoglobin is the transport vehicle for oxygen
-oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the lung alveoli
-oxygen is vital for cellular metabolism

Question 4

causes of impaired gas exchange

Answer 4

-sufforcation
-carbon dioxide poisoning
-choking
-drowning, infection
-anemia
-pulmonary emboli
-asthma or COPD
-muscles too weak to work (spinal cord injury, myasthenia gravis)

Question 5

reasons for hypoxia

Answer 5

-ventilation problems (limited or no oxygen, muscle weakness, foreign object or tongue blocking airway)
-perfusion problems (anemia, CO2 poisoning, deformed RBC’s, decreased blood flow from atherosclerosis or emboli)

Question 6

gas exchange balance leads to hypoxia. These are the symptoms:

Answer 6

confusion
lethargy
weakness
fatigue
decreased oxygen sat
loss of consciousness

Question 7

the body tries to maintain homeostasis during hypoxia by:

Answer 7

-increasing the RR
-increasing the HR
-increasing the BP
-changing the pH of the blood
-forcing respiratory muscles to work harder

Question 8

external impacts on gas exchange

Answer 8

-high altitude(less oxygen=lower rate of gas exchange)
-lifestyle (smoking causes tar build up)
-pollution (21% of the air has oxygen, particulates impair oxygen flow to blood
-diet (low iron means insufficient oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange)

Question 9

diagnostic tests for gas exchange

Answer 9

spirometry-pulmonary function testing (PFT), ABG, oximeters, exercise tolerance testing, radiography, bronchoscopy, culture and sensitivity tests (sputum)

Question 10

treatment for impaired gas exchange

Answer 10

-avoid inhaling irritants
-immunizations
-humidify air
-moderate exercise
-breathing and coughing
-chest physiotherapy
-oxygen

Question 11

medications for impaired gas exchange

Answer 11

-decongestants
-expectorants
-antitussives
-antihistimines
-analgesics
-antimicrobials
-bronchodilators
-glucocorticoids

Question 12

surgical interventions for impaired gas excahnge

Answer 12

thoracentesis (removal of fluid from pleural cavity), tracheostomy, surgery to remove tumors, abscess, or damaged tissues

Question 13

how to prevent gas exchange problems

Answer 13

-dont smoke
-at least 20-30 mins of exercise daily
-get vaccinated against resp. illnesses
-avoid pollutants
-use safety equipments around hazardous chemicals
-seek treatment for asthma
-dont swim alone
-take small bites of food and chew completely

Question 14

which age related changes alter gas excahnge?

Answer 14

-less elasticity in the alveoli
-decrease in the volume of air inhaled
-surface area of alveoli lessens
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