Pulmonary - Respiration and alveoli Flashcards
What is anatomic dead space (how many generations)
The first 16 generations of the the bronchi are not involved in gas exchange
What useful quality does alveoli have that is useful in breathing
elastic qualities
What happens at the respiratory zone
Gas exchange
What are the parts of the respiratory zone
respiratory bronchioles
alveolar ducts
alveolar sacs
alveoli
What is surfactant and where is it made
inside alveoli are cells that secrete surfactant.
Surfactant reduces tension in the alveolar sac and facilitates inflation
What are the 2 roles of surfactant
increases alveolar stability and decreases risk of alveolar collapse
What is it called when alveoli collapse?
Atelectases
What are some causes of atelectases?
Anytime alveoli collapse it causes atelectases
- premies lack surfactant
- Post-op pts that do not breath in deeply
- Pts with neuromuscular weakness who do not breath in deeply
- Pts with COPD whose alveoli are damaged
How do you re-inflate undamaged alveoli (2 ways)
Through DBE (Deep Breathing Exercises) or IS (incentive spirometer)
what are 3 underlying causes that can interfere with the lung expansion
Collapse - pneumothorax
Compression - Hydrothorax
Obstruction - Tumor
What do you do for a pneumothorax
re-inflate
What do you do for a hydrothorax
Abx or thoracocentesis (if there is fluid)
What do you do for obstruction from a tumor
Resection if the cause is a neoplasm
