Module 6: Respiratory System Flashcards
Upper Respiratory Tract
- Nasal cavity
- Nasopharynx
- Palatine tonsils
- Oropharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Epiglottis
Lower Respiratory Tract
- Right & Left primary Bronchi
- Secondary Bronchi
- Bronchioles
- Terminal Bronchioles
- Respiratory Bronchioles
- Alveolar ducts
- Alveoli
Diagnostic Tests used to Evaluate Respiratory Health Problems
- Spirometry-pulmonary function testing (PFT)
- Oximetry
- Exercise tolerance testing
- ABG’s
- Radiography - Chest Xray
- Bronchoscopy (tube looking in airway)
- Sputum C&S
What is Spirometry (PFT)?
- Used to test pulmonary volumes by measuring volume and airflow times
- Measures how much air is exhaled,
- Measures breaths in and out in 1 min
- Measures how much air is left after a normal exhale
What is Oximetry?
Measures oxygen saturation
What is exercise tolerance testing?
- Looks at how exercise affects lungs
- Useful for diagnosis of chronic pulmonary disease
What are ABG’s?
- Arterial blood gasses
- Blood sample from the arterial blood
- Allows us to measure blood from lungs before gas exchange occurs
- Can tell us PO2, PCO2, Serum pH, Electrolytes & Blood Glucose
What is Radiography?
Chest X-Ray
used to help identify tumors or infections
What is a Bronchoscopy?
- Procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the lungs using a small camera
- May be used in performing a biopsy, checking for lesions or bleeding
What is Sputum C&S?
- Test on exudates from the upper respiratory tract
- Identifies pathogens and assists in determining therapy
S&S of Alterations in Respiratory Health
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Sputum production
- Breathing pattern changes
- Abnormal breath sounds
- Dyspnea
- Cyanosis
- Pleural pain
- Clubbed fingers
- Changes in ABG’s
Examples of Abnormal Breath Sounds
- Rales (light bubbly or cracking sounds)
- Rhonchi (deep, harsh sounds resulting from mucus)
Definition and cause of the common cold
- Viral Infection affecting the upper respiratory system
- Spread through respiratory droplets
S&S of the Common Cold
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Increased secretions
- Mouth breathing
- Watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Slight fever
- Malaise
- Cough
Treatment of the Common Cold
- Based on symptoms
- Acetaminophen
- Decongestants
- Humidifiers
Cause of Sinusitis
A bacterial infection that lines the sinuses, secondary to a cold or allergy due to mucus build up
S&S of Sinusitis
- Pain in facial bones
- Nasal congestion
- Fever
- Sore throat
Treatment of Sinusitis
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Analgesics
- Antibiotics are often required to eradicate the infection
- Nasal saline
Cause of Influenza
- A viral infection known a the “flu” that attacks/affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts
- Transmitted via air droplets (cough, sneeze)
- New strands appear all the time
- 3 groups A,B,C (A is most common)
S&S of Influenza
- Sudden acute onset
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Aching body pains
Treatment of Influenza
- Treatment is symptomatic & supportive unless bacterial infection occurs
- Antiviral drugs
Cause of Pneumonia
- Lower respiratory tract infection
- May develop as a primary infection or secondary to another infection
- Bacteria entering the lungs
- Aspiration or inflammation of lungs
- Occasionally can be blood borne
S&S of Pneumonia
- Sudden onset
- High fever with chills
- Fatigue
- Leukocytosis
- Dyspnea
- Pleural pain
- Productive cough
- Confusion
- Rales
Treatment of Pneumonia
- Antibacterial medication
- Fluids
- Drugs to reduce fever - Acetaminophen
- Oxygen
Cause of SARS
“Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome”
Acute respiratory infection caused by a microbe that is transmitted via respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing)
S&S of SARS
- Fever
- Body aches
- Dyspnea
- Anorexia
- Diarrhea
- Dry cough
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle stiffness
Treatment of SARS
-Antiviral medications and glucocorticoid (methylprednisolone)
Cause of Tuberculosis
“Mycobacterium tuberculosis”
- Transmitted by oral droplets from a person with the active illness
- Primarily affects the lungs but can invade other organs
- Primary Tuberculosis is highly contagious
S&S of Tuberculosis
- Anorexia
- Malaise
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Afternoon low-grade fever
- Night sweats
- Prolonged Cough
- Purulent sputum (often contains blood)
Treatment of Tuberculosis
- Drugs (Isonaizid, Rifapentine, Rifampin)
- Drugs must be taken from 6 months to a year depending on the situation
- Can be treated at home or a general hospital
Causes of Lung Cancer
- Smoking/second hand smoke
- Exposure to toxins
- Genetics
S&S of Lung Cancer
- Persistent productive cough
- Dyspnea
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Hoarseness
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Pleural involvement
- Paraneoplastic syndrome
- Metastases (Depending on site)
Treatment for Lung Cancer
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
- Surgical resection
- Chemotherapy & radiation
- Photodynamic therapy
Causes of Aspiration
Passage of food, fluid or other foreign material into the trachea and lungs
S&S of Aspiration
- Coughing & choking
- Dyspnea
- Stridor & hoarseness
- Wheezing
- Tachycardia
- Nasal flaring
- Cardiac or respiratory arrest
Treatment of Aspiration
-Monitor inflammation
-Oxygen & supportive therapy
-Antibiotics
Emergency treatment includes:
-The Heimlich maneuver
-Dislodging the foreign object
Cause of Asthma
- Asthma is a disease that involves periodic episodes of severe but reversible bronchial obstruction
- Found in individuals with hypersensitive or hyperresponsive airways
S&S of Asthma
Cough
- Tight feeling in chest
- Wheezing
- Rapid, laboured breathing
- Thick, tenacious mucus is coughed up
- Tachycardia
- Hypoxia
- Respiratory alkalosis develops initially
- Respiratory acidosis develops in time
- Respiratory distress
Treatment of Asthma
- Allergy testing
- Avoidance of triggers
- Good ventilation in home
- Swimming
- Medication (ex. Inhalers)
- Breathing techniques
Cause of Emphysema
Type of COPD which causes damage to the alveoli, leads to inflated alveolar space
- Genetics
- Smoking
- Certain pathogenic bacteria
S&S of Emphysema
- Dyspnea
- Hyperventilation
- Barrel Chest
- Tripod position
- Anorexia
- Fatigue
- Clubbed fingers
- Weight loss
Treatment of Emphysema
- Avoidance of respiratory irritants
- Immunizations
- Pulmonary rehabilitation programs
- Breathing techniques
- Nutrition & hydration
- Bronchodilators
- Lung reduction sx
Cause of Chronic Bronchitis
Type of COPD which causes a build up of thick inflamed mucosa in the bronchi
- Constant irritation to bronchi
- Smoking
- Industrial pollution
S&S of Chronic Bronchitis
- Constant productive cough
- Tachypnea
- Dyspnea
- Rhonchi
- Severe weight loss
- Systemic edema
Treatment of Chronic Bronchitis
- Reduce exposure to irritants
- Treat infection
- Immunizations
- Bronchodilators
- Low-flow oxygen
- Nutritional supplements
- Drainage of excessive mucus
Causes of Pulmonary Edema
- Fluid collecting in alveoli and interstitial area
- Caused by many different conditions (Ex. CHF)
- Inflammation
- Low plasma proteins
S&S of Pulmonary Edema
- Cough
- Orthopnea
- Rales
- Hemoptysis
- Frothy sputum
- Laboured breathing
- Cyanosis
Treatment of Pulmonary Edema
- Oxygen
- Treatment of cause
- Supportive care
- Positive-pressure mechanical ventilation (more airflow in lungs)
Cause of Pulmonary Embolus
- A blood clot or mass of other material that obstructs the pulmonary artery or a branch of it
- Most are clots or thrombi originating from deep leg veins
S&S of Pulmonary Embolus
- A transient chest pain
- Cough
- Dyspnea
- Chest pain
- Tachycardia
- Fever
- Low BP
- Rapid weak pulse
- Loss of consciousness
Treatment of Pulmonary Embolus
- Assessment of risk factors
- Medications (ex. Heparin)
- Compression stockings
- Oxygen
- Mechanical ventilation
Causes of Atelectasis
- Is a collapsed lung or part of lung
- Interferes with gas exchange
- Occurs as a complication of other conditions
- Alveoli become airless
S&S of Atelectasis
- Small areas are asymptomatic
- Dyspnea
- Increased HR
- Increased RR
- Chest pain
- Asymmetrical chest expansion
Treatment of Atelectasis
- Deep breathing exercises
- Changing body positions
- Forced coughing
- Removal of fluid, tissue or tumour
- Chest clamping or percussion
- Postural drainage
- Medications
Cause of Pleural Effusion
- Presence of excessive fluid in the pleural cavity
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
S&S of Pleural Effusion
- Dyspnea
- Chest pain
- Increased Respiratory Rate
- Increased HR
- Absence of breath sounds
- Tracheal deviation
- Hypotension
- Dullness to percussion
Treatment of Pleural Effusion
- Remove/treat underlying cause
- Chest drainage tubes
- Thoracocentesis (needle aspiration)
Cause of Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural cavity caused by:
- Malignant tumour
- Chest injury
- Lung disease
- Mechanical ventilation
- 3 main types - Open, Closure and Tension
S&S of Pneumothorax
- Atelectasis
- Dyspnea
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Reduced breath sounds
- Unequal chest expansion
- Hypoxia
Treatment of Tension Pneumothorax
Emergency Treatment:
- Transport to hospital
- Cover with occlusive dressing
- Do not remove penetrating objects
Cause of Hemothorax
Accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity
- Pulmonary embolism
- TB
- Chest trauma
S&S of Hemothorax
- Chest pain
- Low BP
- High HR
- Fever
Treatment of Hemothorax
- Drainage of blood from pleural cavity (Thoracentesis)
- Thoracotomy
How many types of Pneumorthorax are there?
3 types
- Closed
- Open
- Tension (Most serious)
Treatments of Pneumothorax
- Oxygen
- Surgery
- Chest tube
- Emergency treatment
Diagnostic tests for Tuberculosis
- Acid-fast sputum test
- Chest X-ray
- Sputum Culture/Senstivity
What is Miliary/Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis?
Rapid and progressive from of TB that affects children under 5
What is Active Tuberculosis?
Organism multiples and forms large areas of necrosis in lungs
