Respiratory and Endocrine System Flashcards
The Respiratory System is also called …
The Pulmonary System
Main function of the respiratory system
Supply oxygen to the body’s cells and remove carbon dioxide.
CPR
cardiopulmonary resucitation
External respiration
When you breathe in, oxygen is brought into the lungs for the blood to pick up.
When you breathe out, you blow out carbon dioxide that has moved from the blood to the lungs.
Internal Respiration (Cellular Respiration)
Is parallel to the process involved in external respiration, but conducted at the cellular level.
Procces of Internal Respiration
After blood passing through the lungs picks up oxygen, the heart pumps the blood to the rest of the body.
The oxygen passes through the capillary walls and into the interstitial space, where the cells absorb the oxygen.
The cells release carbon dioxide as a byproduct of metabolism.
This carbon dioxide waste is picked up by the bloodstream and carried to the lungs for expiration.
The respiratory system is comprised of…
- Nose
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs
- Diaphragm
Two main jobs of the nose
- Provides out bodies with warm, moistened oxygen.
- Holds the olfactory nerve that enables us to smell.
Inspiration
The movement of air into the lungs
The advantage of breathing through the nose:
- Warms, moistens, and filters air
(External nares are lined with mucous membranes and short, coarse hairs (cilia) that filter out foreign particles.
Mucus kills some germs and stops the growth of others.
Pharynx
Multipurpose tube leading from the back of the nose and mouth, down to the trachea (windpipe) and to the esophagus.
It allows air to reach your lungs and food to reach your stomach.
Larynx
Located between the pharynx and trachea. It’s also called the voice box because it houses the vocal cords.
Vocal cords are though bands of ligamentous tissue that vibrate to produce speech.
The size and tightness of the vocal cords determine the sound of your voice.
Glottis
The space between the vocal cords
Epiglottis
A leaf-shaped flap on top of the larynx, is responsible for sealing off the airway to the lungs when you swallow food or water.
Trachea
A long, hollow, smooth muscle tube that runs down the chest in front of the esophagus.
The trachea separates the upper respiratory system (above the neck) from the lower respiratory system (below the neck).
Those who are severely ill, undergoing surgery, or in an emergency situation can receive continuous, artificial ventilation by having a mechanical ventilator connected directly to the trachea- either through the mouth or by puncturing the skin in the neck area.
The ventilator then pushes and pulls air in and out of the lungs to continue supplying oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.
The trachea branches off into two main bronchi, and then the bronchi branch off to several bronchioles.
Bronchi (singular bronchus)
Lead to the right and left lungs.
After entering the lungs, the bronchi continue branching into smaller and smaller airways.
The smallest ones are called bronchioles.
alveoli (plural)
alveolus (singular)
The bronchioles open out into balloon-like pouches
Each alveolus (singular) expands and contracts with each inhalation or exhalation of air.
Capillary beds
contain the smallest blood vessels of the lungs, and they lie next to the thin tissue membranes of the alveoli.
Here, oxygen from the alveoli combines with hemoglobin, a protein in the red blood cells, and is carried to all parts of the body.
At the same time, carbon dioxide is transferred to the alveoli to be discarded by the body when you breathe out.
Right Lung…
Divided into three lobes.
Accommodates the liver.
Left lung…
Divided into two lobes.
Has a notch in it to accommodate the heart.
Heart and lungs are protected by…
Chest wall.
Diaphragm
Sits at the bottom of the lungs.
Each breath initiated by movement of diaphragm, internal and external intercostal muscles.
Upper respiratory system includes
- Nose
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
Lower respiratory system includes
- Bronchi
- Bronchioles
- Lungs
Asthma
A chronic lower respiratory disease. It involves airway obstruction due to inflammation.
Is triggered by many things, including exercise, allergens, or cold weather.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD
the progressive inflammation and destruction of the lungs. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. It can also be caused by long-term exposure to contaminants, such as chemical fumes.
There are two main conditions associated with COPD: emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Emphysema is a condition in which the walls between the alveoli are damaged and become floppy.
Chronic obstructive bronchitis is a condition in which the airway linings are thickened because of chronic irritation.
Most people with COPD have both conditions, which is why they’re combined in the COPD diagnosis.
Emphysema
a condition in which the walls between the alveoli are damaged and become floppy
Chronic obstructive bronchitis
A condition in which the airway linings are thickened because of chronic irritation.
Main symptoms of asthma and COPD
Difficulty in breathing
COPD and asthma are treated with
Same medications.
The best treatment option for sudden onset asthma symptoms is using a metered dose inhaler, or MDI, which provides a single dose of medication in a pressurized burst.
Respiratory system diseases are divided into
Upper and lower respiratory disorders
Upper respiratory disorders
Cold
Flu
Lower respiratory disorders
Asthma
COPD
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Common Cold
Viral disease
Highly contagious
Treated with medication for symptom management.
The symptoms of the common cold include:
Scratchy or sore throat
Nasal congestion, sneezing, sniffling, or runny nose
Chest congestion
Cough (productive or nonproductive)
Body aches
Tiredness
Fever (most common in children)
Decongestants
- Used to dry excessive mucus and open up the nasal passageway.
- Most are OTC
- Side effects dryness of mouth and wakefulness
Common decongestant medications
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
- Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
- Oxymetazoline (Afrin)- nasal drops
Antihistamines
Treat symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat.
Antihistamines are classified as first generation and second generation.
First-generation antihistamines
Target more general receptors in the central nervous system and have more side effects than second generation antihistamines.
Examples of first-generation antihistamines are:
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)
Brompheniramine (Bromax)
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
Azelastine (Astelin)- Nasal spray
Second-Generation Antihistamines
Known to cause fewer side effects of dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Taken only once or twice daily.
Examples of second-generation antihistamines are:
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Loratadine (Claratin)
Desloratadine (Clarinex)- disintegrating tablet
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Cough suppressant medications act …..
On the central nervous system to suppress the urge to cough
Expectorants
Help bring out the mucus
Some examples of commonly used cough medications are:
Dextromethorphan (Delsym) - cough suppressant
Guaifenesin (Robitussin)- expectorant
Benzonatate (Tessalon)
Hydrocodone-homatropine (Hycodan)
Promethazine/dextromethorphan (Phenergan)
Pain & Fever Medications
Used to treat body pain, lethargy and fever.
Examples:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Naproxen (Aleve)
Aspirin
Pain and fever reducer, but not commonly recommended due to the risk of bleeding and developing gastric ulcers.
Aspirin isn’t recommended for children due to the risk of a rare but dangerous disease called Reye’s syndrome.
Reye’s syndrome
An acute condition that causes swelling in the brain (encephalopathy) and liver (hepatitis).
Other Treatments for cold symptoms are:
Plenty of fluids to help treat the side effects of cold medications and loosen mucus
Rest until symptoms resolve and the cold virus runs its course (five to seven days)
Vitamin C and zinc to boost the immune system and help prevent frequent cold infections.
Eucalyptus and other herbal medications to help relieve cold symptoms
Influenza (Flu)
Viral infection (doesn’t respond to antibiotics)
Can cause life threatening complications.
More severe symptoms than the cold (fever, dehydration)
Can lead to pneumonia and hospitalization
Who should receive seasonal flu vaccine?
The elderly
Children
Pregnant women
People with chronic diseases
People with compromised immune systems
Healthy adults living with high-risk people
Healthy adults caring for high-risk people
Antiviral as flu treatment…
Can shorten the length of an illness or reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Antivirals must be taken within 36 to 48 hours of the start of symptoms
Examples of antiviral medication:
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
Zanamivir (Relenza) inhaler
Beta-2 receptor agonists
(meaning these medications enhance the effect of beta-2 receptors) act similarly in the lungs to cause smooth muscle relaxation. There are two kinds of beta-agonist inhalers- short acting and long acting.
Short-acting beta-agonist inhalers are used to
provide quick relief.
Some examples of short-acting inhalers are:
Albuterol HFA
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
Pirbuterol (Maxair)
epinephrine
adrenaline
Example of epineephrine use:
Severe allergic reaction- associated airway obstruction.
People who are allergic to such things as nuts, bee stings, or latex will often carry an epinephrine auto-injector for emergency situations.
Long-acting beta-agonist inhalers
Have a slower onset of action, but provide relief for a longer period and are used as maintenance therapy in combination with steroid inhalers.
Steroid medications simply produce an anti-inflammatory effect in the lungs.
examples of long-acting inhalers are:
First drug listed in the combination of inhalers is the long-acting beta agonist and the second drug is the steroid.
Salmeterol/fluticasone (Advair)
Formoterol/budesonide (Symbicort)
Vilanterol/ fluticasone(BREO Ellipta)
Anticholinergic medications
Used to prevent constriction of the smooth muscle surrounding airways. These medications are mainly used as a long-term therapy of COPD, but ipratropium may also be used to treat immediate relief of asthma symptoms. These medications are also available as inhalers.
Examples of anticholinergic medications are:
Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent)
Tiotropium (Spiriva)
Side effects of these medications are dry mouth, nausea, and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Corticosteroid medications
Used as maintenance therapy to reduce airway obstruction by decreasing inflammation.
It takes 2-3 weeks for these medications to exert some effect, and it may take from 6-8 weeks for maximum symptom relief.
Examples of steroid inhalers are:
Budesonide (Pulmicort)
Fluticasone (Flovent)
Mometasone (Asmanex)
Side effects of the steroid inhalers include a sore throat, a bad taste in the mouth, and thrush (a fungal infection).
Some examples of oral/injectable corticosteroids are:
Prednisone (Deltasone)
Prednisolone (OMNIPRED)
Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
Leukotriene modifiers
Work by producing bronchodilation to improve allergy or asthma symptoms.
Examples of leukotriene modifiers are:
Montelukast (Singulair)
Zafirlukast (Accolate)
Bronchitis
Is the acute or chronic inflammation and/or infection of the mucus membranes of the bronchial passages of the respiratory tract. The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough lasting more than 5-7 days.
Bronchitis treatments
Treatment is targeted for symptom relief. On the other hand, chronic bronchitis patients with a productive cough that persists for several months may need further evaluation to possibly diagnose asthma or COPD.
Patients commonly use acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen to treat pain and reduce inflammation. Patients can use guaifenesin and dextromethorphan to relieve coughing.
Respiratory Rate
The number of breaths a person takes over a certain amount of time
Breathing
The act of inhaling and exhaling air via the nose or mouth
Exhalation
The act of releasing air out during breathing
Inspiration
The act of movement of air into the lungs
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
The act of providing mechanical compressions of the chest cavity and artificial ventilation to restore circulation and breathing in an emergency situation
Contagious
Easily transmitted or spread from one person to another
Inflammation
Another name for swelling
Vaccine
A biological preparation or medication that provides immunity against a specific disease-causing pathogen
Immunity
The body’s ability to produce antibodies against foreign pathogens
Hormone
A chemical messenger produced by various glands that directs and controls various body functions