RESPIRATORY Flashcards
What is chronic bronchitis?
when bronchial tubes become inflamed and excessive mucous production occurs as a result of irritants or injury.
What is emphysema?
when air sacs in the lungs are damaged, losing elasticity, leading to hyperinflation
Complications of COPD?
hypoxemia, respiratory acidosis, respiratory infection, cardiac failure especially cor pulmonale, dysrhythmias, and respiratory failure.
How does diaphragmatic breathing, tripod positioning, and pursed lip breathing help?
increases airway pressure and keeps air passages open promoting maximal CO2 expiration
What medications can be used for COPD tx?
- bronchodilators
- steroids for exacerbations
- mucolytic to thin secretions
- abx for infection
What labs should we check when assessing COPD?
ABGs, sputum cultures, WBC, and Hgb and Hct for polycythemia.
How will the CXR look in a patient with emphysema?
flat diaphragm and hyperinflated lungs
What are the sx of cor pulmonale (R sided HF)?
- Hypoxia and hypoxemia
- Increasing dyspnea
- Fatigue
- Enlarged and tender liver
- Warm, cyanotic hands and feet, with bounding pulses
- Cyanotic lips
- Distended neck veins
- Right ventricular enlargement (hypertrophy)
What are interventions to prevent infection in COPD patients?
Avoid crowds and get the flu and PNA vaccine
What nutritional advice can we give to COPD patients?
- Eat high calorie and high protein foods.
- eat multiple smalls meals per day instead of 3 large meals.
- Meals on wheels can be helpful.
- Avoid gas-producing, spicy, or extremely hot or cold foods, or dry foods (can stimulate coughing).
What are other respiratory diagnostics available?
Bronchoscopy and thoracentesis
What are the common sx of COPD?
SOB, wheezing, cough, heart issues like developing heart failure.
What causes a spontaneous pneumothorax in COPD patients?
overstretching and enlargement of alveoli turns into small sacs of air called blebs (or bullae) which form on the lung tissue and can rupture allowing air to leak into the pleural space.
How is gas exchange affected with emphysema?
increased work of breathing and the loss of alveolar tissue
T/F. Bronchitis only affects the airways not the alveoli.
True
What effects does chronic inflammation of the airways cause?
increased mucous production → infection
How is gas exchange affected with chronic bronchitis?
mucus plugs and inflammation narrow the airways.
What is alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
genetic condition that raises your risk for lung disease and other diseases.
-protein that protects lungs from harmful irritants and infections
If chronic bronchitis is an airway problem, emphysema is a …?
alveolar problem
What are some visual respiratory changes that occur with COPD?
rapid, shallow respirations, with sucked in abdomen
How high can the RR get with COPD exacerbation?
40-50 bpm
Is fremitus increased or decreased with COPD?
Hint: think trapped air
Decreased
How are percussion sounds on a COPD patient?
Hyperressonant
What signs will indicate chronic hypoxemia?
cyanosis, delayed capillary refill, and finger clubbing