Module 6: Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the two main function of the respiratory system?
Transport of oxygen from Air to blood - Oxygen is necessary for cellular metabolism
Removal of carbon dioxide from the blood – carbon dioxide is a waste product from metabolism
The upper respiratory tract is made up of the passage ways that…
Conduct air between the atmosphere and the lungs
The lower respiratory tract consist of______and is where what takes place?
Trachea, bronchial tree, and the lungs, where gas exchange takes place
What is the role of the oropharynx
Common passage for air and food
Epiglottis protects opening into larynx (closes over glottis at swallowing to prevent aspiration)
The larynx consist of?
Two pairs of vocal cords
The trachea is lined by? And what is the function of the C-shaped rings of cartilage?
Pseudostratified ciliated epithelium
The cartilage rings prevent the collapse of the trachea and keep the airway open even with pressure changes
At the lower end of the trachea, inhaled air proceeds into the right or left primary bronchus. Where is the more likely designation for any aspired material and why?
The right bronchitis because it is larger and straighter
Airflow depends on pressure gradient (Boyle’s law). Air always moves from
High-pressure area to low pressure area
What is the place which promotes the diffusion of gases into the blood, the endpoint for inspired air?
The Alveoli
The respiratory membrane is the combined alveolar and capillary wall through which what occurs?
Gas exchange
What is tidal volume? Residual volume? Vital capacity?
Tidal volume - Amount of air exchange with quiet inspiration and expiration
Residual volume - volume of air remaining in the lungs after maximum respiration
Vital capacity - Maximal amount of air that can be moved in and out of the lungs with a single forced inspiration and expiration
Bronchodilation results when
Sympathetic stimulation relaxes the smooth muscle, dilating or enlarging the bronchioles
Each lung is covered by its own double walled sac, the pleural membrane. The _______ pleura is attached to the outer surface of the lungs and then doubles back to form the ________ Which lines the inside of the thoracic cavity
Visceral, parietal pleura
Chemoreceptors detect changes in
Carbon dioxide level, hydrogen ion, and oxygen levels in blood or cerebrospinal fluid
The primary control centres for Braden are located in
The medulla and the pons
What is hypercapnia?
Abnormally elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
- lowers pH and stimulates respiratory center, increases rate and depth of respirations, causes respiratory acidosis
What is hypoxemia?
Marked decrease in oxygen
- chemoreceptors respond to. This control mechanism can be important when individuals with chronic lung disease adapt to a sustained elevation in PCO2 and move to a hypoxia Drive
What is hypocapnia?
Caused by low carbon dioxide concentration (low partial pressure of carbon dioxide in blood)
- Maybe caused by hyperventilation, causes respiratory alkalosis
Binding and release of oxygen to hemoglobin depend on what?
PO2, PCO2, Temperature, plasma pH
Spirometry - pulmonary function test (PFT) tests what?
Test pulmonary volumes and airflow times
Arterial blood gas determination checks what?
Oxygen, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, serum pH
Oximetry measures
O2 saturation
Exercise tolerance testing is for patients with what disease?
Chronic pulmonary disease
Bronchoscopy Is a diagnostic test for what
Perform biopsy
Check site of lesion or bleeding
Yellowish-green, cloudy, thick mucus often indicates what?
Bacterial infection
Rusty or dark coloured sputum is usually a sign of
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Very large amounts of purulent sputum with foul odour may be associated with
Bronchiectasis
Thick, tenacious mucus is usually a sign
Asthma or cystic fibrosis
Blood-tinged sputum may result from
Chronic cough, may also be a sign of tumour or tuberculosis
What hemoptysis sputum look like and what is it usually associated with?
Blood-tinged (bright red) frothy sputum, usually associated with pulmonary edema
What is Eupnea respiration like ?
Normal – rhythm is smooth and even with expiration longer than inspiration
What is Kussmaul’s respiration’s like?
Deep rapid respirations – typical for acidosis; may follow strenuous exercise
Laboured respiration or prolonged inspiration or expiration is often associated with
Obstruction of airways
Wheezing or whistling sounds indicate
Obstruction in small airways
Stridor is a high pitch crowing noise and usually indicates
Airway obstruction
Rales and rhonchi are abnormal sounds resulting from air mixing with excessive secretions in the lungs. Explain what both of them sound like and result from
Rales - Like bubbly or crackling sounds, with serous secretions
Rhonchi - Deeper or harsher sounds, from thicker mucus
What is dyspnea?
Subjective feeling of discomfort
- Maybe caused by increased carbon dioxide or hypoxemia
- often noted on exertion, such as climbing stairs
What is orthopnea? What is it usually caused by?
Dyspnea That occurs when a person is lying down. Usually caused by pulmonary congestion
What is Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea ?
An acute type of dyspnea, common in patients with left-sided congestive heart failure
Pleural pain results from
Inflammation or infection of parietal pleura
Clubbed digits result from______associated with
Hypoxia, Associated with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases
The common cold (infectious rhinitis) is caused by a
Viral infection of the upper respiratory tract
Sinusitis is usually what type of infection? How is it treated?
Decongestants and analgesics for headache and pain
Course of antibiotics often required to eradicate infection
Laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) Is a common viral infection, particularly in children. What are the common causative organisms?
Parainfluenza and adenoviruses
Infection usually self-limited
What is the role of systemic circulation?
Brings oxygenated blood to the tissues and brings deoxygenated blood back to the right side of the heart
What does pulmonary circulation do
Transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs and brings oxygenated blood back to the left side of the heart
What is a pleural effusion?
The build up of excessive fluid in the pleural space
