RESPIRATORY - common respiratory system concepts Flashcards
EXAM 2 content
what results when there are problems in the respiratory system (ventilation & perfusion)?
- altered gas exchange
- altered acid-base balance
- altered circulation
what are some common risk factors?
- age (old & young)
- air pollution
- allergies –> bronchoconstriction
- smoking
- altered LOC
- prolonged inactivity
- chronic diseases
- immunosuppression
what are common manifestations of the neuro system?
- altered LOC: brain needs O2
- dizzy
what are common manifestations of the CV system?
first tachycardia (because body is trying to compensate) –> bradycardia (a late sign)
what are common manifestations of the respiratory system?
- cough
- tachypnea
- dyspnea
- wheezes
- crackles
- diminished breath sounds
- pain in thorax
- hemoptysis
what are common manifestations of the GI system?
n/v
what are common manifestations of the GU system?
oliguria
what are common manifestations of the integumentary & musculoskeletal system?
- weakness
- paresthesia
- cyanosis
- delayed capillary refill
- clubbing (long term sign)
where does pain come from? what does the pain feel like?
issues with the pleura
- stabbing localized pain
chest wall pain can mimic what other type of pain? how do we differentiate that?
it can mimic cardiac chest pain
- to differentiate that: if you have pain when putting pressure that means it is respiratory
- if you put pressure with cardiac there is no difference in pain
what is dyspnea? what is it caused by?
difficulty breathing, caused by:
- pain
- trauma
- CV or respiratory issues
- psychogenic disorders
does severity of dyspnea always correlate to severity of underlying disease?
no!
what are the severe manifestations of dyspnea?
- nasal flaring
- retractions
- accessory muscle engagement
what is hemoptysis? what does it indicate?
coughing up bright red, frothy, & alkaline blood
- indicates infection/inflammation of airways
- reported immediately
why do people have altered breathing patterns? what are the possible causes?
body is trying to adapt to underlying pathophysiologic issues
- obstruction
- restriction
- metabolic disease
- cerebral hypoxia
- anxiety
- drug side effects
what can the possible causes of altered breathing patterns influence?
hypoventilation (a lot of air) & hyperventilation (little air)
- also based on how MUCH they are bringing in
what is cyanosis? what is it caused by?
a blue discoloration caused by desaturated hgb
- poor circulation or low PO2
- a late sign in adults
- just because there is no cyanosis doesn’t mean there is no issue in hypoxia
what is clubbing? what is it caused by? what should we automatically think when we see this?
an enlargement of the distal digit of a finger or toe
- chronic hypoxia
- automatically think there is a respiratory issue
what is a cough? what is it caused by? what are the different types of cough?
a forceful expiration to help clear the airway
- irritant receptors are stimulated working with the vagus nerve
- productive (good) & non productive (bad)
how long does an acute cough last? what are it’s examples?
resolves in 2-3 weeks
- URI, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, CHF examples
how long does a chronic cough last? what are its examples?
longer than 3 weeks
- asthma, GERD, smoking, medication
what labs are expected to be taken? what are the normal ABGs?
chemistry panel, CBC, & sputum
- pH: 7.35-7.45
- PCO2: 35-45
- HCO3: 22-26
- PO2: 80-100
what are common diagnostics?
- oximetry: oxygen status
- bronchoscopy
- chest x ray
- CT
- MRI
- pulmonary function testing
- thoracentesis: pulls fluid out of pleura
what are the common pharmacological concepts?
- meds will be oral or inhaled
- goals of meds: reduce inflammation, open airways, & mobilize + excrete secretions
- oxygen is a common drug, wont be talked much on
