Respiratory Flashcards
What is the function of the respiratory system?
To transport oxygen from the air to the blood and to remove CO2 from the blood
O2 is necessary for cellular
Metabolism
CO2 is a waste product from
Metabolism
The upper respiratory tract includes
Nasal cavity, Nasopharynx, palatine tonsils, oropharynx,
larynx
The lower respiratory tract includes
Trachea and bronchial tree
Palatine Tonsils are
Lymphoid tissue in the back portion of the oral cavity
Oropharynx is a passageway for
air and food
Epiglottis protects
opening into larynx
Epiglottis closes over glottis at swallowing to prevent
aspiration
The larynx is
2 pairs of vocal cords
The trachea is lined by
Pseudo-stratified ciliated E.T
Trachea has C shaped rings over
Cartilage
The trachea branches into
the bronchial tree
The bronchial tree path
Trachea splits into right and left primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli,
Alveoli are lined by _____ and _____ to reduce surface tension and maintain inflation
Surfactant and simple squamous E.T
Alveoli are
the site for gas exchange and the end point for inspired air
If atmospheric pressure is higher than the pressure in the alveoli
inspiration
If pressure in alveoli is higher than in the atmosphere
Expiration
Vital Capacity
Big breath in and out
Tidal volume
capacity during normal breathing
Primary control centers for breathing are located in
medulla and pons
Hypercapnia is when
CO2 levels in the blood increase, CO2 easily diffuses into CSFluid
Hypercapnia causes
hyperventilation, respiratory acidosis(nervous system depression), lowers pH and stimulates respiratory system
Hypocapnia is when
CO2 levels in the blood decrease, may be due to hyperventilation
Hypocapnia may cause
Respiratory alkalosis
External respiration is
flow of gases between alveoli and blood
Gas exchange depends on
the partial pressure of the gases
po2 & pco2 mean
partial pressure of O2 and CO2
factors that affect diffusion of gases
partial pressure gradient, thickness of respiratory membrane, total surface area available, ventilation-perfusion ratio (need to match for maximum gas exchange)
Spirometry is
a pulmonary function test to test volumes and airflow times
Arterial blood gas test
check O2, CO2, bicarbonate, serum pH levels
Oximetry
measures O2 saturation
Exercise tolerance testing
for people with chronic pulmonary disease
radiography
helpful in evaluating tumors and infections
bronchoscopy
used to perform biopsy, check site of lesion or bleeding
culture and sensitivity tests
sputum testing for pathogens, determine antimicrobial sensitivity of pathogen
sneezing
reflex response to an irritation of the upper respiratory tract, assists in removing irritants. Associated with inflammation or foreign material in nasal passages
Coughing
irritation caused by nasal discharge (dripping into oropharynx. Inflammation or foreign material in the lower respiratory tract. Caused by inhaled irritants
what is sputum and what is it an indication of
yellow/green mucous and an indicator of a bacterial infection
Rusty dark colored sputum is a sign of
pneumococcal pneumonia
large amounts of sputum with an odor
bronchiectasis
thick, sticky mucous is a sign of
asthma or CF. can have blood from a chronic cough due to ruptured capillaries
hemoptysis
blood tinged frothy sputum; pulmonary edema
eupnea
normal breathing (12-20 BPM)
kussmaul respirations
deep rapid respirations; typical for acidosis or strenuous exercise
labored respirations or prolonged inspiration or expiration indicates
obstruction of airways
wheezing/whistling indicates
obstruction of small airways
stridor
high pitched crowing noise; indicates upper airway obstruction
tachy; Brady; apnea
fast, slow, no breathing
ataxic breathing
periods of apnea alternating irregularly with a series of shallow breaths of equal depth
cheyne stokes respirations
periodic breathing associated with periods of apnea, alternating regularly with a series of respiratory cycles; the respiratory cycle gradually increases , then decreases in rate and depth
apneusis
long, gasping inspiratory phase followed by a short inadequate expiratory phase
rales
light bubbling or crackling sounds
rhonchi
deeper or harsher sounds from thicker mucous
absence
collapsing of lungs (atelectasis)
dyspnea
breathing discomfort; increased CO2 or hypoxemia; happens during exertion
severe dyspnea includes
severe respiratory distress; flaring of nostrils, using accessory respiratory muscles, retraction of muscles between or above ribs
orthopnea
occurs while laying down; caused by pulmonary congestion
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
sudden acute type of dyspnea, common w left sided congestive heart failure
cyanosis is caused by
large amounts of unoxygenated hemoglobin in blood
pleural pain
results from inflammation or infection of parietal pleura
friction rub
soft sound produced as rough, inflamed, or scarred pleura move against each pother
clubbed digits
result from chronic hypoxia associated with respiratory or cardiovascular disease
hypoexmia
lack of O2 in blood
hypercapnia
increased CO2 in blood
infections of upper respiratory tract
scarlet fever, common cold, sinusitis, laryngotracheobronchitis, epiglottitis, influenza
infections of lower respiratory tract
tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, severe acute respiratory syndrome
common cold etiology
virus infection, most common is rhinoviruses
patho of common cold
spread via respiratory droplets, very contagious, infections lead to inflammation of membranes
treatments for common cold
acetaminophen, vasoconstrictors, humidifiers
sinusitis etiology
usually bacterial infection
patho of sinusitis
usually secondary to a cold or allergies that block drainage of the sinuses; exudate builds up from inflammation causing the blockage and pressure
signs and symptoms of sinusitis
pain in facial bones, sore throat, fever, nasal congestion
treatment for sinusitis
decongestants, analgesics, antibiotics
hard to prevent, avoid smoke
laryngotracheobronchitis
croup; viral infection (parainfluenza and Adenoviruses
patho of laryngotracheobronchitis
begins w nasal congestion and cough; inflammation of larynx and subglottic area; results in swelling and exudate which leads to obstruction
signs and symptoms of laryngotracheobronchitis
most severe at night, barking cough, hoarse voice, stridor on inspiration
treatment for laryngo….
cool moist air, bronchodilator…good hand washing and coughing hygiene, keep up to date on vaccines
etiology of epiglottitis
bacterial infection; haemophilus influenza
patho of epiglottitis
causes swelling of larynx and epiglottis(red round ball)
S&S of epiglottitis
rapid onset on fever and sore throat, drooling, stridor, tripod position to breathe
treatment for epiglottitis
Antibiotics and O2
Etiology of influenza
3 types a, b, c (a most common), mutate constantly, hiders immune system from effecting long term immunity
patho of influenza
inflammation and exudate, pneumonia, can lead to 2nd bacterial infection
scarlet fever etiology
bacterial infection named streptococcus progenies
patho of scarlet fever
exotoxin will induce T cells to release cytokines which leads to inflammation; rash and strawberry tongue due to changing of capillaries
S&S of scarlet fever
Vomiting, ab pain, fever, chills, sore throat, rash that starts on neck, groin or axillary then spreads to rest of body; has rough sandpaper feel, red blotchy appearance, strawberry tounge
treatment for scarlet fever
antibiotics and antipyretics
bronchiolitis
infection by the respiratory syncytial virus
patho of bronchiolitis
causes necrosis and inflammation of smaller bronchi and bronchioles; leads to edema, bronchospasms, secretions; obstructions occur
patho S&S
runny nose, coughing/sneezing, congestion, wheezing, dyspnea, rapid/shallow breathing
lobar pneumonia (pneumococcal)
streptococcus pneumoniae infection
patho of lobar pneumonia
vascular congestion develop in alveolar wall, exudate interferes with gas diffusion and decreased blood flow to the affected lobe, consolidation of neutrophils, RBC’s and fibrin (forms solid mass)
S&S of lobar pneumonia
Tachycardia, tachypnea, dyspnea, high fever w chills and fatigue, sudden onset, rales, rust colored sputum, pleuritic pain
diagnosis of lobar p.
chest x rays and sputum culture
treatment for lobar p.
Pneumococcal vaccine
bronchopneumonia
bacterial infection; several causes
patho of bronchopneumonia
begins in bronchial mucosa and spreads to alveoli, inflammation exudate forms in alveoli disrupting gas exchange
S&S of bronchopneumonia
insidious onset, fever, cough, rales, yellow/green sputum
primary atypical pneumonia
mycoplasmal pneumonia; influenza a or b
SARS
diagnosed in china in 2002; spread via droplets
stage 1 of SARS
flu like fever, myalgia, chills, anorexia, diarrhea,
2nd stage of SARS
lung involvement, dry cough and dyspnea
tuberculosis
once spread through cows milk,
