Respiration

Question 1

What is respiration?

Answer 1

Respiration is the act of breathing.

Question 2

What are the two types of respiration?

Answer 2

Internal Respirations - takes place throughout body. Interchange of O2 and CO2 between blood and tissues.
External Respirations - Exchange of O2 and CO2 between alveoli of the lungs and the pulmonary blood.

Question 3

What is inhalation?

Answer 3

Inhalation (also called ‘inspiration’) is the intake of air into the lungs.

Question 4

What is exhalation?

Answer 4

Exhalation (also called expiration) is the the breathing out of movement of gases from the lungs to the atmosphere.

Question 5

What is ventilation?

Answer 5

Ventilation is the movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Question 6

What is the normal respiratory rate range for adults?

Answer 6

Normal respiratory rate for adults ranges from 12 - 20 breaths per minute.

Question 7

Will a child or infant have a higher respiratory rate than an adult?

Answer 7

Normally yes.

Question 8

What is the term for a lower than normal respiratory rate?

Answer 8

Bradypnea

Question 9

What is the term for a higher than normal respiratory rate?

Answer 9

Tachypnea

Question 10

What are the two main types of breathing?

Answer 10

Costal (thoracic) Breathing - involves the use of external intercostal muscles and other accessory muscles. It is observable by the movement of the chest upward and outward.
Diaphragmatic Breathing - involves the contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm.
Observed by the movement of the abdomen.

Question 11

In diaphragmatic breathing, what happens when the diaphragm contracts?

Answer 11

In diaphragmatic breathing, when the diaphragm contracts in moves downwards and inspiration occurs., i.e. you inhale air into the lungs.

Question 12

Describe the mechanics and regulation of breathing?

Answer 12

1. Inspiration
   a. Diaphragm contracts (flattens), ribs move upwards and outward, along with the sternum.
   b. Thorax space is enlarged, and pressure decreased in the thoracic cavity, allowing the lungs to expand.
   c. Pressure differences between atmosphere and lungs allows air to rush into the lungs.
2. Expiration
   a. Diaphragm relaxes, ribs move downwards and inwards.
   b. Sternum moves inwards, decreasing size of thorax.
   c. Lungs are compressed and pressure in lung increases.
   d. Pressure exceeds atmosphere and air rushes out.

Question 13

Normal breathing occurs ___________ and effortlessly.

Answer 13

automatically

Question 14

What systems/components in the body control respiration?

Answer 14

1. Respiratory centers exist in the medullar oblongata and the pons of the brain.
2. Chemoreceptors located centrally in the medulla and peripherally in the carotid and aortic bodies signal to increase or decrease respiration.
3. Chemoreceptors respond to changes in O2, CO2, and H concentration in the arterial blood.

Question 15

What factors affect respiration?

Answer 15

1. Exercise - increases
2. Stress - increases
3. Environmental temperature changes - can increase or decrease depending.
4. Atmospheric O2 Conc. - eg. as partial pressure of O2 decreases, respiration rate increases

Question 16

Describe how someone is breathing that has tachypnea?

Answer 16

Quick, shallow breaths, usually more than 24 res/min.

Question 17

Describe how someone is breathing that has bradypnea?

Answer 17

Abnormally slow breathing, usually less than 10 res/min.

Question 18

What is apnea?

Answer 18

Apnea is the cessation of breathing.

Question 19

What is hyperventilation?

Answer 19

Overexpansion of the lungs, characterized by rapid and deep breathing.

Question 20

What is hypoventilation?

Answer 20

Under expansion of the lungs, characterized by shallow respirations.

Question 21

How do you assess respirations?

Answer 21

Many ways. Can be done alongside pulse.

1. Visualize chest rise and fall (one rise/fall = 1 respiration).
2. Count each respiration for 30 secs.
3. Times respiration by 2 = Respirations/minute.

E.g. Counted = 9, 9 x 2 = 18 res/min.

Question 22

What is dyspnea?

Answer 22

Dyspnea is difficult and labored breathing during which the individual has persistent, unsatisfied need for air and feels distressed.

Question 23

What is orthopnea?

Answer 23

Orthopnea is the ability to breathe only in an upright position or standing position.

Question 24

What are the four breathing sounds one can observe?

Answer 24

1. Stridor - shrill, high pitched (harsh during inspiration).
2. Stertor - snoring or sonorous (loud)
3. Wheeze - continuous, high pitched, musical squeak or whistling.
4. Bubbling/Crackling - gurgling sounds as air passes through secretions in airway

Question 25

What is the stridor sounds of breathing typically associated with?

Answer 25

Stridor sounds usually occur with laryngeal obstruction.

Question 26

What is the stertor sounds of breathing typically associated with?

Answer 26

Stertor sounds are usually due to partial obstruction of the upper airway.

Question 27

Describe the different chest movements that can be observed on a patient?

Answer 27

1. Intercostal retractions - indrawing between the ribs.
2. Substernal retractions - indrawing beneath the breastbone.
3. Suprasternal retractions - indrawing above the clavicles.

Question 28

Describe the different secretions and coughing that one can have?

Answer 28

1. Hemoptysis - presence of blood in the sputum.
2. Productive cough - a cough accompanied by secretions
3. Nonproductive cough - a dry, harsh cough without secretions.