Module 1 - Respiratory System Flashcards
When a individual presents with a respiratory illness what are the most important assessments?
Rate
Rhythm
Depth
_________________ is a normal respiratory rate.
Eupnoea
If the carbon dioxide levels in the blood are high, what is the pH likely to be?
Lower.
What is tachypnoea?
Respiratory rate faster than acceptable limits for age
What is bradypnoea?
Respiratory rate slower than the acceptable limit for age.
What is dyspnoea?
- Difficulty breathing; shortness of breath.
- Can be acute of chronic
What is orthopnoea?
Difficultly breathing when lying flat
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea?
Difficulty breathing at night. Associated with reclined positioning and rouses individual from sleep in respiratory distress.
Define the term hypoventilation.
Generic term for not breathing enough to expel sufficient carbon dioxide; may relate to rate or depth or both.
Define the term hyperventilation.
Generic term for breathing too much and expelling too much carbon dioxide; may relate to rate or depth or both.
Define the term apnoea.
Absence of breath.
What two type of drugs would you use for a obstructive respiratory disorder?
- Bronchodilators (opens up airways)
- Corticosteroids (reduces inflammation)
When oxygen gets to our blood and carbon dioxide gets out of the blood is called what?
Gas exchange.
Carbon dioxide level lower the 35mmHg
Hypocapnia
Reduced oxygen level at the tissues is called what?
Hypoxia
Carbon dioxide level greater that 45 mmHg is classified as what?
Hypercapnia
Bulbous enlargement of distal fingers & toes
Digital clubbing
Bluish discoloration in finger and toes
Peripheral Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of lips, tongue, mucous membranes
Central Cyanosis
What are the three commonly occuring type of diseases affecting the respiratory system?
- Obstructive
- Restrictive
- Infectious
Name 2 examples of obstructive respiratory disease.
COPD (Bronchitis & Emphysema)
Asthma
Name 2 examples of Restrictive respiratory diseases.
Pulmonary effusion
ARDs
Name 2 examples of Infectious respiratory diseases.
- URTI
- Pneumonia
Define obstructive disorders.
Obstructive disorders are those where there is difficulty in exhaling all the air from the lungs. (Trouble getting air out)
Define asthma.
Asthma is an obstructive respiratory condition involving chronic airway inflammation
In simple terms name three things that happen to the airways of someone with asthma.
- Inflammation
- Mucous production
- Bronchoconstriction.
When giving aspirin or beta blockers to patients, its always important to ask what?
Do they have asthma?
What are some symptoms of asthma?
- Chest tightness
- dysnopea
- wheezing or high pitched whistling
- coughing
- excess mucous production
What are some ways to treat or manage symptoms of asthma?
- Avoid contact with triggers
- medications
- oxygen therapy
- Relievers and preventers
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders (COPD) is the umbrella term given to a group of respiratory disorders resulting in breathing difficulty.
The 2 main conditions include:
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Emphysema
What is Chronic Bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which involves too much mucous. Excess mucous resulting in blockackages and narrowing of the airway passages making it difficult to breath and obstructing air flow.
Name at least 4 factors that decrease respiratory rate.
- increased intracranial pressure
- alcohol
- narcotics
- rest/sleeping
- hypocapnia
- hypothermia
Name at least 5 factors that can increase respiratory rate.
- anxiety
- caffeine
- pain
- exertion
- hypercapnia
- fever
- haemorrhage
- acidosis
- lung disease
- cardiac disease
- young age
Name classic alterations in respiratory rhythm.
- Kussmaul
- Cheyne-Stokes
- Biot’s
- Cluster and apneustic breathing
Chronic Bronchitis results from ___________ ____________ of the respiratory tract.
Continuous irritation.
Chronic bronchitis leads to… Name 3 things.
- goblet cell proliferation
- mucous hypersecretion
- smooth muscle hypertrophy
TRUE OR FALSE.
Chronic Bronchitis is incurable.
TRUE.
Management focuses on symptom control and prevention of acute exacerbations.
What criteria must a individual meet to be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis?
- Cough for 3 months of a year for 2 or more consecutive years.
- Coughing up flem.
What is emphysema?
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) that involves airway collapse due to changes in structures to the wall. In emphysema elastin around the alveoli is destroyed causing it to become floppy and air to become trapped impeding gas exchange.
Pursed lip breathing helps patients with emphysema because it…..?
Helps keep the small airways open and prevents air trapping.
Define restrictive respiratory disorders.
Restrictive disorders are those which impede the lungs from fully expanding.
That is people can’t get air in - as opposed to obstructive where people can’t get the air out.
What does ARDS stand for?
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
What is ARDS?
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a type of restrictive airway disorder occuring inside the lungs (parenchymal).