Respiratory Flashcards
the (_______) is a passageway for food an air
pharynx
after pharynx, air passes the (_____) and goes into the (______)
epiglottis
larynx (L for Lower)
Describe pathway of cough reflex
trachial and bronchal walls –> vagus nerve –> medulla oblongata –> vagus nerve
describe pathway of sneeze reflex
trigeminal nerve –> medulla oblongata
what is the medical name for the common cold?
Corzya
What is the most common upper respiratory tract infection?
corzya aka the common cold
What is the disease in which a virus kills the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract?
influenza
what causes rhinosinusitis?
when there is an obstruction in the duct that supposed to drain the sinuses
what are two serious complications of rhinosinusitis because of where it can spread?
eyes (conjunctivitis)
Brain (via meninges/meningitis)
Epiglottitis is caused by (_______) which is a virus or bacteria?
Haemophilus influenza B
bacteria
what’s the number 1 symptom of acute bronchitis?
dry hacking cough thats worse at night
Name some non-lung related causes of shortness of breath
MI CHF Valve Prolapse Guillain-Barre Syndrome Tetanus Anemia Altitude Out of Shape
What does pneumonia refer to?
when an infection of any disease agent (can even be other chemical injuries such as toxic fumes) gets to the alveoli and causes inflammation and fluid accumulation within the extracellular spaces. this impedes oxygen transfer. also, bacteria in the alveoli can enter the blood stream
what are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia
typical URI s/s deep hacking cough SOB and/or dyspnea Chest pain profound fatigue high fever tachycardia to get more oxygen to blood cyanosis confusion, coma if lack of oxygen affects brain
What’s the name of the odorless, colorless gas that’s the byproduct of combustion fumes?
carbon monoxide
How does Carbon Monoxide poisoning work?
CO has 200x greater affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen and steals its parking spot, which deprives the body of oxygen
what are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
dull headache, SOB n/v dizziness confusion blurred vision Cherry Red lips and skin, especially at extremities
What are the outer and inner layers of the pleura? what is the space between them called?
parietal
visceral
potential space
does the lung have pain receptors or the pleura?
the pleura
what are two names for “inflammation of the pleura”? what causes it?
pleurisy
pleuritis
infection or injury
for Pleurisy and Pleuritis, Is pain worse on inhalation or exhalation and why?
inhalation, which stretches the lungs out
what is a pleural effusion?
when the “potential space” in the pleura fills up with water and is no longer potential
What is it called when either circulation issues, lymphatic issues, or an infection cause fluid to accumulate in the “potential space” of the pleura?
pleural effusion
name two differences between pneumonia and pleural effusion
pleural effusion happens in the pleural space, pneumonia happens in alveoli
pneumonia has to be an infection, pleural effusion can come from other causes
two s/s of pleural effusion
SOB
chest pain
What is it called when there is an air accumulation in the pleural cavity? what can cause it?
pneumothorax
puncture or spontaneous (cough, etc.) causing damage to pleural cavity or alveoli
what are s/s of pneumothorax
anxiety attack (d/t declining oxygen)
SOB
sudden sharp chest pain
cough
what is the unusual property of tuberculosis bacteria?
has a waxy coating that makes it resistant to destruction by antibiotics
how does the body’s immune response handle tuberculosis? How does the TB test work?
it surrounds the cell with immune cells. This forms a Ghon Complex, which is a cheese-like granuloma
If the body’s immune system reacts to the injection of TB proteins, it means that their body has been exposed before. they will get a chest x-ray for Ghon Complexes. Then they need to be put on 6 months of antibiotics
describe the pathomechanism of an active TB infection
most of the damage is self-caused. This is a hypersensitivity type 2? reaction!
What are symptoms of an active TB infection
fever chills SOB chest pain difficulty swallowing because the swallowing makes them pause breathing therefore losing weight night sweat profound fatigue dry, then productive cough with blood
(________) is an autoimmune infection in which (________) granulomas (which is a cluster of (_________)) are formed on lung tissue and lymph nodes/areas such as
sarcoidosis
noncaseous
immune cells
spleen, liver, lymph nodes, skin (especially back of neck)
What are the two main types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
emphysema
chronic bronchitis
Is COPD associated with difficulty on inhalation or exhalation, first?
exhalation; blockage of airway
describe pathomechanism of emphysema
cigarettes or other irritants create chronic inflammation in the lungs
phagocytes, which are part of our immune response, release elastase, which is an enzyme that breaks down elastic tissue and destroys alveoli
alveoli look like stretched balloon and patient develops “barrel chest”
Describe pathomechanism of chronic bronchitis
chronic inflammation from smoking or infection causes airways to close from inflammation and mucus buildup. eventually fibrosis builds up and bronchi get stuck in narrow position
diagnostic criteria of chronic bronchitis
productive cough of 3 consec. months in 2 consec. years
what are the two colorful presentations of COPD, and which is more severe?
pink puffers and blue bloaters
blue bloaters are more severe
describe a pink puffer
they can avoid cyanosis by hyperventilating and leaning forward to compress the lungs. they breathe through pursed lips. They work hard to “puff out”
Describe a blue bloater
their chest wall has really barreled out so they seem bloated. they are cyanotic because no amount of effort can keep their O2 levels up. also, their pulmonary hypertension leads to right sided heart failure, so they get edema.
describe the pathway of the heart
right atrium tricuspid right ventricle pulmonary valve pulmonary artery lungs pulmonary vein left atrium bicuspid mitral left ventricle semilunar aortic aorta
s/s of both COPD diseases
SOB difficulty exhalation pulmonary hypertension cough with sputum insidious onset frequent infections clubbing of fingernails (because the body will sacrifice the periphery first)
what is the name for when a lung pathology creates a heart pathology? how does COPD do this?
cor pulmonale
Very low O2 levels cause vessels to constrict, the pulmonary vessels are usually a low pressure system. over time this causes the left ventricle to fail.
what are the 3 differences between asthma and chronic bronchitis?
asthma can start in childhood whereas chronic bronchitis is caused by an irritant or infection
asthma comes in “episodes”
asthma is reversible and chronic bronchitis is not
what is asthma?
episodes of closing of the bronchi and excess mucus production, making it hard to exhale
what are potential triggers for asthma?
type 1 hypersensitivity reaction (Allergies)
exercise
cold
stress
s/s of asthma
cough w sputum wheezing SOB difficulty exhalation worse at night/early morning chest tightness
What is used to treat asthma and what are the side effects?
albuterol or advair, containing bronchodilators
anxiety insomnia seeming "on edge" tachycardia palpitations hypertension
what is interstitial lung disease?
its when you breathe in powders like silica, coal, or asbestos and the lung gets hard and stiff and noncompliant with scar tissue (fibrosis)
this makes it hard to inhale and stretch the lung out
what is the #1 cancer killer in the US?
lung cancer!
what are s/s of lung cancer?
chronic cough (especially w blood) chest pain SOB Weight loss pallor/cyanosis
(____________) is when a tumor grows in the apex of the lung and presses on thoracic structures such as the (_____________)
pancoast syndrome
brachial plexus
what is often the first s/s of pancoast syndrome?
numbness/tingling/paraesthesia down the heart channel. relieved when elevating shoulder
(_________) is when a lung tumor puts pressure on the sympathetic fibers that go to the face, because they exit the spinal column at (_____)
horner syndrome
t1 and t2
what are the four main symptoms of horner’s syndrome?
All ipsilateral
- miosis
- ptosis
- anhydrosis
- redness
