Respiratory and Cultural Competency review Flashcards
Chronic lung disease includes:
Chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, and asthma. (CAL- Chronic Airway Limitation
COPD
A group of pulmonary diseases of a CHRONIC nature characterized by INCREASED resistance to airflow. Consists of EMPHYSEMA and BRONCHITIS
T or F. Emphysema and bronchitis are characterized by bronchospasm and dyspnea. The damage to the lung is REVERSIBLE and decreases in severity.
False. The damage is NOT reversible and increases in severity
Asthma, unlike COPD is an intermittent disease with REVERSIBLE airflow obstruction and wheezing?
TRUE
Emphysema
A breakdown of elastin and collagen fiber network of alveoli whereby alveoli ENLARGE or walls are destroyed. Leads to formation of LARGER than normal air spaces.
In regards to Emphysema, what causes air trapping in lungs and airway collapse?
Loss of elastic recoil from destruction of elastin and collagen fibers causes air trapping in lungs and airway collapse.
Air trapping results in hyper-inflated lungs, causing a ___________ appearance.
Barrel chest appearance; Emphysema.
Pink Puffers
Indicative of Emphysema; PT maintains ABGs by HYPERVENTILATING and has a PINK appearance to their skin early in the disease. They’re working harder to breathe, but the amount of O2 taken in is adequate to oxygenate the tissues.
Chronic Bronchitis
An inflammatory response in small and large airways l/t vasodilation, congestion, mucosal edema, and bronchospasm.
T or F. In regards to Chronic Bronchitis, a chronic cough and productive sputum are present for a minimum of 6 MONTHS in one year?
False, 3 months.
T or F. Airflow is impeded as bronchial walls thicken in Chronic Bronchitis patients?
TRUE
Like Emphysema, a patient with bronchitis can increase breathing efforts to maintain normal ABGs?
FALSE
Blue Bloaters
Insufficient oxygenation occurs with chronic bronchitis and leads to generalized cyanosis and often R sided heart failure (cor pulmonale). Term used to describe patients with bronchitis. They usually have a presence of cyanosis and edema.
Asthma
Chronic airway disorder resulting in reversible bronchoconstriction and AIR HUNGER in response to triggers from a variety of sources.
Asthma Mechanism
When exposed to a trigger, hyperactivity of medium-sized bronci causes release of leukotrienes, histamine, and other substances from mast cells; these agents intensify inflammatory process and cause bronchospasm (smooth muscle constriction, degranulation of mast cell, mucus accumulation, hyperinflation of alveoli).
Status asthmaticus
An emergency situation when an asthma attack is prolonged and not responding to usual meds or when a patient has one asthma attack after another. Prompt treatment is needed to avoid respiratory failure.
Nail beds that demonstrate “clubbing” indicate?
Chronic hypoxia
T or F. A patient with COPD can tolerate high levels of oxygen (O2)?
False, patients with COPD cannot tolerate high levels of O2. Limit flow or their drive to breathe will reduce.
T or F, Hypercapnia is typical of a patient with COPD along with Hypoxemia?
True. As COPD worsens, the amount of O2 in the blood decreases (HYPOXEMIA) and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood increases (HYPERCAPNIA), causing chronic respiratory acidosis (increased arterial carbon dioxide [PaCO2], which results in metabolic acidosis (increased arterial bicarbonate) as compensation).
T or F. Not all patients with COPD are CO2 retainers, even when hypoxemia is present?
True, because CO2 diffuses more easily across lung membranes than O2.
Hypercapnia is a problem for patients with bronchitis, rather than in advanced emphysema?
False, in advanced emphysema, d/t alveoli being affected, hypercapnia is a problem, rather than in bronchitis where the airway are affected.
Bronchitis Mechanism
Mucus accumulation, enlarged submucosal gland, inflammation of epithelium, hyperinflation of alveoli, mucus plug. HINT- patient develops chronic mucus plug
Emphysema Mechanism
Alveoli is hyperinflated
Cor pulmonale
Right- sided heart failure d/t pulmonary causes. Air trapping, airway collapse and stiff alveolar walls increase the lung tissue pressure, making blood flow through the lung vessels more difficult. The increased pressure makes the workload heavy on the right side of the heart. Often associated with chronic bronchitis or Emphysema.
In this condition, accessory muscles and distended neck veins are present. If condition is not reversed, patient may develop pneumothorax or cardiac arrest.
Status asthmaticus
In patients with Emphysema, how is the patient’s expiration impaired and airway patency reduced?
In healthy patients, expiration is easy d/t normal elastic recoil of alveolus and open bronchiole. In patients with Emphysema, expiration is difficult d/t decreased elastic recoil of alveolus and narrowed bronchiole.
What assessment findings would you expect from a patient with Asthma?
Dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness
Pink Puffers,” barrel chest appearance, pursed-lip breathing, distant/ quiet breath sounds, wheezing, and pulmonary blebs on radiograph are common assessment findings for which condition?
Emphysema
Identify 6 common assessment findings for Chronic Bronchitis?
Generalized cyanosis, “Blue Bloaters,” Right-sided HF, Distended Neck Veins, Crackles, Expiratory Wheezing
3 ways to treat COPD include?
1) Improve ventilation 2) Promote secretion removal 3) Prevent complications
A patient has just been diagnosed with COPD and asks you how they can improve their breathing. What suggestions would you make to help improve their ventilation?
Use bronchodilators as prescribed to maintain patency in bronchi and promote breathing exercises.
2 ways to promote secretion removal include?
Hydration (thins out trapped mucus, facilitating expectoration) and humidification.
H1 Antihistamines, Leukotriene Antagonists, and Theophylline are all examples of what?
PO medications for Asthma
For acute asthma attacks, Cromolyn should be administered?
False Cromolyn is a prophylactic/ maintenance inhaler used to prevent an asthma attack. Do not use for acute asthma attacks.
Albuterol, Servent, and Spiriva are all examples of what kind of inhaler used for Asthma?
Selective B2 Agonists/ Adrenergic Stimulants
Identify 2 types of Anticholinergic inhalers used to treat Asthma?
Atrovent, Combivent
What’s the difference between rescue inhalers and maintenance inhalers?
Rescue inhalers are used for an acute attack and maintenance inhalers are used to prevent an attack and include Cromolyn, Servent, Atrovent
T or F. Corticosteroid inhalers are used to treat Asthma?
True, drugs such as dexamethasone may be used on SHORT-term basis when exacerbation of attacks occur or as a maintenance inhaler to suppress inflammatory process.
Common side effects for Corticosteroids include which of the following? Hyperglycemia, Na/ H2O retention, Psychosis, Blocks protein synthesis, Weight gain, Cardiac dysrhythmias (LT)?
All of the above.
Name 3 things acute exacerbation of chronic conditions can lead to?
Respiratory failure, Status asthmaticus, Acute infections (pneumonias [hymophylous, strep], Respiratory decompensation
What are common nursing plans and interventions for both Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema?
1) Lowest FiO2 possible to prevent CO2 retention 2) Monitor for S/S 3) Maintain PaO2 between 55 and 60 4) Teach pursed-lip breathing 5) Admin. Bronchodilators and Anti-inflammatory agents.
Normal PH (blood gas)
7.35- 7.45
Normal PCO2
35-45
Normal PO2
80-100
Normal HCO3 (BiCarb)
21-28
Normal O2 saturation (SaO2)
95-100