Respiratory Function Flashcards
Upper Respiratory Tract
Mouth
Nose
Pharynx
Larynx
Lower Respiratory Tract
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Aveoli
Lungs
Gas Transport: oxygen moves from lungs into tissue by two routes
Dissolved in plasma 3%
Attached to Hgb in RBCs 97%
The process of ventilation is regulated by
neural pathways in the brainstem
What drives ventilation?
Carbon dioxide
Respiratory Rate: Newborn/Infant
30-60 bpm
Respiratory Rate: 3 y/o Child
20-30 bpm
Respiratory Rate: Into Adulthood
Gradually decreases to 12-20 bpm
What body position allows for greatest lung expansion?
An upright posture; standing or sitting erectly
Major Functions of Upper Respiratory System
Humidify, warm, and clean inspired air
Nose is highly effective in filtering foreign particles
Major Functions of Lower Respiratory System
Further filter and clean incoming air
Mucus blanket traps bacteria/microscopic foreign particles, cilia, macrophages
Smoking
Vasoconstricts
Mucus production increases
Slows mucociliary escalator
Can depress the CNS resulting in decreased respiration
Drugs and Alcohol
Altered Lung Function: Restricted Lung Movement
Stiffen or may restrict expansion of the chest
May cause the lung to collapse
or alveoli to collapse (atelectasis)
Altered Lung Function: Airway Obstruction
Narrowed airways
Mucus
Inflammation
Altered bronchial smooth muscle tone
Respiratory Assessment: Inspection
Barrel-shaped chest
Cyanosis
Clubbing
Rate and pattern of respiration
Respiratory Assessment: Palpation
Look for swelling or tenderness and fremitus
Respiratory Assessment: Percussion
Detect fluid-filled or consolidated portions of the lung
Respiratory Assessment: Auscultation
Sounds are classified as bronchial, bronchovesicular, and vesicular
Cyanosis and where to assess
Bluish skin discoloration
Central - Mucous membranes of eyes and mouth
Peripheral - toes/fingers, extremities
Clubbing
Enlargement and rounding of the tips of fingers/toes
Chest Deformity in Respiratory Issue
Barrel-shaped due to expansion of chest after long term inability to exhale all air in COPD patients
Ronchi
Low-pitched, snoring or moaning
Fluid in larger airways
Wheeze
High-pitched, musical sounds
Associated with narrowed airways
Crackles
High-pitched, popping sounds
Alveoli
Stridor
High-pitched, most severe type of inspiratory wheeze
Nursing Diagnosis: Ineffective Breathing Pattern
Labored breathing
Inspiration/Expiration that does not provide adequate ventilation
Nursing Diagnosis: Ineffective Airway Clearance
Cannot expel obstructions from the respiratory tract to maintain a clear airway
Nursing Diagnosis: Impaired Gas Exchange
Crackles
Excess or deficit in oxygenation and/or carbon dioxide elimination at the alveolar-capillary membrane
Venturi Mask
Most precise
Before you suction, you should always
Hyperoxygenate / Preoxygenate
Atelectasis
Collapsing of the alveoli
Hypoxemia
Low concentration of oxygen in the blood
Hypercapnia
High concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood
Hemoptysis
Coughing up blood
Quad Cough
Helps quadriplegic pts generate an effective cough; nurse will help by pushing in and upward like the Heimlich maneuver
Low-Flow (Huff) Cough
Pt inhales deeply and says “huff” three or four times while exhaling
Pursed-lip breathing
Causes back pressure in the airways
Eases expiration
Prevents air trapping
Suctioning max time
no more than 10 seconds at a time
Incentive Spirometer
Motivates the pt to breathe (inhale) deeply by offering the incentive of measuring progress
Peak Flow Meter
Measures highest flow during maximal expiration
Peak flow meter used for (population)
Asthmatics
Chronic Bronchitis
Emphysema
Pts should use a spirometer how often?
8-10 times an hour
Fremitus is what and how do you assess?
Vibration of air movement through the chest wall
palpating the back while the pt says “99”
Fermitus increase
consolidation in the lung
Fermitus decrease
pleural effusion or pneumothorax
Atmosphere contains how much oxygen?
21%
Accessory muscles when breathing
Neck
Shoulders
Sitting, forward leaning
Flaring of nostrils (infant)
Infectious sputum characteristics
yellow/green
has putrid/musty odor
How to thin out secretions
Hydrate
Sputum culture (does what)
to identify the specific agent causing the infection
Sputum sensitivity test (does what)
will determine which antibiotic to use
Hyperventilation
PaCO2 lower than 35 mm Hg
Aerosol Therapy
Add moisture to oxygen delivery systems
Hydrate thick sputum and prevent mucous plugging
Administer drugs to the airways (bronchodilators and corticosteroids)
