HLTH 2501: expansion disorders Flashcards
atelectasis
is a collapse of a lung or part of a lung or non aeration; resulting in decreased gas exchange and hypoxia
what happens to the alveoli when they become airless?
they shrivel up as the natural elasticity of the tissue dominates
what exchange of gas is impacted more in atelectasis
O2; CO2 can diffuse easier
what are complications of atelectasis?
necrosis, infection, and permanent lung damage
types of atelectasis mechanisms
obstructive, compression, increased surface tension, fibrotic tissue, and postoperative
obstructive atelectasis
aka resorption; occurs when total obstruction of the airway because of mucus or tumor leads to diffusion into the tissue of air distal to the obstruction
compression atelectasis
results when a mass such as a tumor exerts pressure on a part of the lung and prevents air from entering; this causes the pressure in the pleural cavity to expand, destroying the adhesion
increased surface tension atelectasis
occurs in the alveoli with pulmonary edema or respiratory distress syndrome, preventing expansion
fibrotic tissue atelectasis
when fibrotic tissue in the lungs or pleura restricts expansion, leading to collapse; aka contraction atelectasis
postoperative atelectasis
commonly occurs 24-72 hours after surgery (commonly abdominal) and includes restricted ventilation, slow shallow respirations, and increased secretions
small areas of atelectasis
are asymptomatic
large areas of atelectasis
cause dyspnea, increased heart and respiratory rates, chest pain, and abnormal or asymmetric chest expansion
treatment for atelectasis after a surgery
deep breathing exercises, changing body positions, and forced coughin
treatment for atelectasis caused by external pressure
removal or fluid, tissue, or tumor causing the pressure
treatment for atelectasis caused by blockage
chest clapping or percussion, postural drainage, and medications to open airways and loosen mucus
pleural effusion
is the presence of excessive fluid in the pleural cavity (more than normal)
pleurisy
is a condition in which the pleural membranes are inflamed, swollen, and rough, often in associated with lobar pneumonia; can precede or follow pleural effusion
effects of fluid in the pleural cavity
can prevent expansion of the lung and leads to atelectasis
different types of fluid that may be collected in the pleural cavity?
exudative effusions, transeduates (hydrothrax), and hemothorax
exudative effusions
are a response to inflammation in which increased capillary permeability allows fluid containing proteins and WBCs to leak into the pleural cavity
transudate effusions
aka hydrothorax; are watery effusions that result from increased hydrostatic pressure or decreased osmotic pressure; often is associated with liver or kidney disease
hemothorax effusion
blood in the pleural cavity and is often the result of trauma, cancer, or surgery
signs of pleural effusion
dyspnea, chest pain, increased respiratory and heart trates, absence of breath sounds, tracheal deviation, and hypotension
what indicates a massive effusion?
tracheal deviation and hypotension; this interferes with both respiratory and cardiovascular function
signs of pleurisy
cylic pleuritic pain and a friction rub
treatment for pleural effusion
removing the underlying cause, chest drainage tubes, and thoracocentesis (needle aspiration)
name for needle aspiration
thoracocentesis
pneumothorax
refers to air in the pleural cavity, causing the pleural membranes to separate and for lung expansion to be difficult, leading to atelectasis
hydropneumothorax
when more fluid than air is present in the pleural cavity, but both are; can be caused by tumor or trauma
what can diagnose and determine pneumothorax?
chest X-rays
3 types of pneumothorax
closed, open, and tension
closed pneumothorax
occurs when air can enter the pleural cavity through an opening directly from the internal airways; no opening in the chest wall; can be simple or caused by another disease
simple pneumothorax
occurs when a tear on the surface of the lung allows air to escape from inside the lung through a bronchus and the visceral pleura, into the pleural cavity
result of a simple pneumothorax
as the lung tissue collapses, it seals off the leak