Module 8a: Respiratory Flashcards
What is the difference between respiration and ventilation
Respiration = process which gases are exchanges Ventilation = process of moving air into and out of lungs
How many times of ventilation occur in the healthy adult per minute?
12-20
Laryngitis, epiglottitis, nasopharyngitis, are types of upper or lower respiratory tract infections?
Upper
What is Rhinitis?
Irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose - cold
What is acute rhinitis?
Acute viral rhinitis - Caused by the rhinovirus, also known as the common cold
What is allergic rhinitis?
Caused by foreign pathogen’s
Rhinorrhea is a condition that refers to
Commonly known as a runny nose, occurs relatively frequently
What are some ways you can tell if the patient has bacterial rhinorrhea?
Yellow or green discharge, more likely to see fever, bodyaches
What are some ways you can tell if the patient has viral rhinorrhea?
Clear discharge, can happen at any time of year but most likely to see in winter months, may have fever
What are some ways you can tell if the patient has allergic rhinorrhea?
Clear discharge, seasonal/environmental
What are expectorants used for? Most common side effect?
-Used to thin bronchial secretions so they can more easily be eliminated by coughing
(Increase production of respiratory tract fluids thereby decreasing viscosity)
-Drowsiness
What are antitussives used for?
Used to suppress the cough reflex (usually dry or nonproductive cough)
-serious adverse effect - Respiratory depression in high dosage
Dextromethorphan, an antitussive Is a centrally acting agent. How does it work?
By inhibiting the cost centre of the brain, elevating the threshold for coughing.
What are some nursing considerations to think about prior to giving an antitussive?
Education
Present/history of persistent non-productive cough, respiratory distress, drowsiness (opioids), SOB
When would you want to give an expectorant instead of an antitussive?
Only when necessary (i.e. interfering with daily living) as cough is protective mechanism against microbes, dust, etc.
Nasal congestion is due to
Dilation of vessels in response to infection or an allergin which leads to swelling of the nasal cavity
Decongestants produce a
Vasoconstriction effect (sympathomimetic) Ex. Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine
Knowing decongestants act on the sympathetic nervous system, what are some adverse and side effects?
Increased heart rate, dry mouth, increased BP, difficulty voiding, Hyperglycaemia
What is histamine?
A chemical produced by mast cells, pro-inflammatory agents
What do antihistamines do?
Block effects of histamine (competes for receptor sites) - majority designed to block H1 receptors
I decrease in histamine leads to
Decreased vaso-permeability
