Nursing Respiratory Patient Flashcards

1
Q

How would you assess the respiratory function of a patient?

A
  1. RR and Effort ( is air moving in and out of the lungs?)
    - observe
    - auscultation
  2. Oxygenation ( how well is it oxygenating the tissues)
    - MM colour
    - pulse ox
    - arterial blood gas
    - capnograph
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2
Q

What are the aims of respiratory therapy?

A
  • increase oxygen saturation of blood and tissues

- decrease respiratory effort

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3
Q

What nursing interventions can we do to lower respiratory effort and increase oxygenation?

A
  • o2 therapy
  • minimise stress
  • control temperature
  • minimal handling
  • IV cannulisation if emergency
  • bed baths/suction to ease breathing
  • coupage and nebulisation
  • oral MM care
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4
Q

What the pros and cons of flow by o2?

A

+ no restraint
+ stress-free
- wastes oxygen

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5
Q

What are the pros and cons of mask oxygenation?

A

+ good oxygen saturation to patient
+ good for non-responsive patients
- cannot see or evaluate face
- stressful

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6
Q

What are the pros and cons of using nasal prongs or cannula?

A
\+ patient can be mobile
\+ generally well-tolerated
\+ Good saturation and good control 
- Need local anaesthetic for cannula
- May irritate nasal cavity or dry it out
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7
Q

What are the pros and cons of using an oxygen cage/tent/incubator?

A

+ incubator has heating ability which is good for small furries

  • tents can get humid and warm
  • opening doors can cause massive loss of oxygen
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8
Q

What are the pros and cons of intubation +/- ventilation?

A

+ can induce and manage respiratory function better under GA
+ Measurable oxygen delivery straight to lungs
+ can put humidifier into system to help maintain lung function
- need to be anaesthetised/unconscious

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9
Q

When would you use a tracheostomy?

A

When there is some sort of obstruction

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10
Q

What position should be avoided in dyspnoeic patients ?

A

Dorsal recumbency

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11
Q

If oxygenating a patient for more than 2 ours, what is required?

A

Humidifier to prevent drying of oral mucosa

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12
Q

What can occur if a patient is on oxygen for more than 12 hours?

A

Oxygen toxicity

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13
Q

What can be done to avoid oxygen toxicity?

A

Start at 100% oxygen, when the patient is back to normal, lower the oxygen until it has a negative impact on the patient. Then turn back up slightly - this is the minimum - keep on this and continue monitoring

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14
Q

What is atelectasis?

A

When the alveoli fill up with fluid. Low intensity mobilisation should help this, as will neb and coupage.

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15
Q

How can we evaluate a respiratory patient and its progress?

A
  • SPO2 >95%
  • Normal MM colour
  • reduction of RR and effort
  • reduction of any paradoxical breathing
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