RESPIRATORY - common respiratory system concepts

Question 1

what results when there are problems in the respiratory system (ventilation & perfusion)?

Answer 1

• altered gas exchange
• altered acid-base balance
• altered circulation

Question 2

what are some common risk factors?

Answer 2

• age (old & young)
• air pollution
• allergies –> bronchoconstriction
• smoking
• altered LOC
• prolonged inactivity
• chronic diseases
• immunosuppression

Question 3

what are common manifestations of the neuro system?

Answer 3

• altered LOC: brain needs O2
• dizzy

Question 4

what are common manifestations of the CV system?

Answer 4

first tachycardia (because body is trying to compensate) –> bradycardia (a late sign)

Question 5

what are common manifestations of the respiratory system?

Answer 5

• cough
• tachypnea
• dyspnea
• wheezes
• crackles
• diminished breath sounds
• pain in thorax
• hemoptysis

Question 6

what are common manifestations of the GI system?

Answer 6

n/v

Question 7

what are common manifestations of the GU system?

Answer 7

oliguria

Question 8

what are common manifestations of the integumentary & musculoskeletal system?

Answer 8

• weakness
• paresthesia
• cyanosis
• delayed capillary refill
• clubbing (long term sign)

Question 9

where does pain come from? what does the pain feel like?

Answer 9

issues with the pleura
- stabbing localized pain

Question 10

chest wall pain can mimic what other type of pain? how do we differentiate that?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

what is dyspnea? what is it caused by?

Answer 11

difficulty breathing, caused by:
- pain
- trauma
- CV or respiratory issues
- psychogenic disorders

Question 12

does severity of dyspnea always correlate to severity of underlying disease?

Answer 12

no!

Question 13

what are the severe manifestations of dyspnea?

Answer 13

• nasal flaring
• retractions
• accessory muscle engagement

Question 14

what is hemoptysis? what does it indicate?

Answer 14

coughing up bright red, frothy, & alkaline blood
- indicates infection/inflammation of airways
- reported immediately

Question 15

why do people have altered breathing patterns? what are the possible causes?

Answer 15

body is trying to adapt to underlying pathophysiologic issues
- obstruction
- restriction
- metabolic disease
- cerebral hypoxia
- anxiety
- drug side effects

Question 16

what can the possible causes of altered breathing patterns influence?

Answer 16

hypoventilation (a lot of air) & hyperventilation (little air)
- also based on how MUCH they are bringing in

Question 17

what is cyanosis? what is it caused by?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

what is clubbing? what is it caused by? what should we automatically think when we see this?

Answer 18

an enlargement of the distal digit of a finger or toe
- chronic hypoxia
- automatically think there is a respiratory issue

Question 19

what is a cough? what is it caused by? what are the different types of cough?

Answer 19

a forceful expiration to help clear the airway
- irritant receptors are stimulated working with the vagus nerve
- productive (good) & non productive (bad)

Question 20

how long does an acute cough last? what are it’s examples?

Answer 20

resolves in 2-3 weeks
- URI, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, CHF examples

Question 21

how long does a chronic cough last? what are its examples?

Answer 21

longer than 3 weeks
- asthma, GERD, smoking, medication

Question 22

what labs are expected to be taken? what are the normal ABGs?

Answer 22

chemistry panel, CBC, & sputum
- pH: 7.35-7.45
- PCO2: 35-45
- HCO3: 22-26
- PO2: 80-100

Question 23

what are common diagnostics?

Answer 23

• oximetry: oxygen status
• bronchoscopy
• chest x ray
• CT
• MRI
• pulmonary function testing
• thoracentesis: pulls fluid out of pleura

Question 24

what are the common pharmacological concepts?

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

what are the common complications?

Answer 25

• hypoxia
• respiratory arrest
• dysrhythmias –> cardiac arrest –> death