Respiratory Conditions and Associated Treatments/Surgeries Flashcards
Oxygen Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve
Most important is the PaO2
This curve is about oxygen and hemoglobin and when they stay together
We want it connecting and saturating in the lungs and then disoocisating at the tissue level which is called perfusing
What we can learn by looking at the curve is that if a person has perfect ventilation they have optimal oxygen ventilating in and perfusing they are at 100. if the hemoglobin is at optimal amounts and is totally satuarated they are at 100% SpO2.
Our body needs enough oxygen in arterial blood to adequately oxygenate the tissues. Can go along until about 60 PO2 then the O2 sats start to drop.
When pts at 92% the PO2 is at 60.
Pts can do pretty well if they are saturated at or above 92%because it tells us the PO2 is above 60. they are meeting tissue demands
When PO2 drops below 60 we see a tank in the saturation of hemoglobin.
Shift to the right – higher CO2, lower pH (acidodic), higher temp – septic pt. the metabolic demands are greatly increased. they need lots of oxygen. Drop in O2 because the tissue demands more. The clif moves earlier in the PaO2.
Shift to the left - lower temp, lower CO2, lower temperature. Not oxygenated well but it is holding on to the oxygen longer.
How to give Epinephrine in the case of anaphylaxis
0.5 mg of epi in the vastus lateralis - give it up to 3 times. in 5 minutes do a set of vitals and readminister if needed. IM is better for anaphylaxis because we don’t want to shock their heart.
1mg/ml. 1 mg given when a pt is in cardiac arrest and given IV
Call for help. Epinephrine is priority treatment if available.
Airway Obstruction
can be partial or complete
prompt assessment and treatment is critical, especially if acute
Symptoms of airway obstruction
stridor, use of accessory muscles, suprasternal and intercostal retractions, wheezing, restlessness, tachycardia and cyanosis
Treatment of Airway Obstruction
- heimlich maneuver
- cricothyroidotomy
- endotracheal intubation
- tracheostomy
Conditions related to the trachea: airway obstruction
Tracheotomy (slit in the trachea)
Tracheostomy (the stoma you are left with)
Indications for a tracheostomy (4)
- To bypass an upper airway obstruction
- To facilitate removal of secretion
- To enable long term mechanical ventilation (ALS, quadriplegics)
- To facilitate oral intake and speech in the patient who requires long term mechanical ventilation
All trachs contain
a face plate and a flange
Trachs also all contain an
obturator which is used when inserting the tube and in the event of an accidental decannulation
- it helps guide the trach into place and comes out right away. it is less traumatic because it has a graduated end.
Safety equipment at the bedside includes (preferably taped to the HOB):
A spare tracheostomy set (another one of what they have and a smaller one than their current one)
An obturator
A tracheal dilator (allows you to open up)
Some trachs have this which can be removed for cleaning.
an inner cannula
mucus plugging can occur with a trachea, but this helps reduce the risk
humidification
Tracheostomy Care involves (4)
- Suctioning the airway PRN to remove secretions
- Cleaning the inner cannula (where applicable)
- Cleaning around the stoma
- Changing tracheostomy ties
Trachs can be either CUFFED or UNCUFFED
- cuffed trachs are used if the patient is at risk for aspiration or needs mechanical ventilation, but cuff pressure should NOT exceed 20 mmHg or 25cm of H2O
- uncuffed trachs are used when patients can protect their airways from aspiration and don’t require mechanical ventilation
How often should need for suctioning be assessed?
Q2h and PRN
Indicators for suctioning include (4)
Coarse crackles or wheezes over large airways
Moist cough
Restlessness/agitation if accompanied by decreases in SpO2 or PaO2
Patients should NOT be suctioned routinely or if they are able to clear their own secretions with coughing
Vocalization with a Tracheostomy
In an independent breathing patient:
- Deflated cuffs allow exhaled air to flow over the vocal cords
- volume can be increased by plugging the tube with a finger or plug
Small cuffless tubes can be inserted so exhaled air can pass freely around the tube
Fenestrated tubes
REFER TO SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS to assist
DeCannulation (7)
- possible where TEMPORARY tracheostomies have been required (anaphylaxis)
- Possible when patients can exchange air and expectorate secretions
- Stoma is closed and secured with steristrips and an occlusive dressing
- Dressing should only be changed if soiled/wet
- Pt should splint the stoma when coughing/swallowing/speaking for first 24-48 hr
- the opening will close in several days
- Surgical interventions to close the stoma is rarely required
- capping the trach first to see if pt can adequately oxygenate with their oral airway. if they tolerate the capping then they can decannulate. it is gradual process. slowly decrease the size of the cannula
Risk Factors of Lung Cancer
Cigarette smoking and inhaled environmental carcinogens (asbestos)
Clinical Manifestations Lung Cancer (6)
Clinically silent for most individuals for the majority of its course
Usually nonspecific and appear late in the disease process
Depend on the type of primary lung cancer, its location and metastatic spread
Often there are extensive metastases before symptoms are apparent
First symptom to often occur is a persistent cough
Later symptoms may include: anorexia, fatigue, weight loss, and nausea and vomiting
Diagnostic Studies for Lung Cancer
Chest X-ray (CXR)
CT scan - most effective non invasive diagnostic for lung cancer
Bronchoscopy with biopsy
Lung Cancer: Surgical Therapy (3)
Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages I and II b/c the disease is potentially curable
Thoracotomy - surgical procedure to gain access into the pleural space of the chest
Lobectomy - removal of a lobe of the lung
Pneumonectomy - removal of an entire lung
Chest Trauma and Thoracic Injuries (3 categories)
Blunt trauma
Penetrating trauma
Thoracic injuries
Blunt trauma
occurs when the body is hit by a blunt object. Impact can cause internal injuries may not look like external injuries. can cause structures to move from their place and ripped from their point of origin. Aorta is at risk with certain mechanisms of injury. Compression or crush injuries