Respiratory Lecture 1

Question 1

Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli (upper airway).

Answer 1

1. nares/buccal
2. nasopharynx/oropharynx
3. epiglottis
4. larynx

Question 2

Function of the epiglottis.

Answer 2

prevents food from entering the trachea

Question 3

Function of the larynx.

Answer 3

contains the vocal cords and glottic opening

Question 4

Function of the glottic opening.

Answer 4

connects the upper airway to the lower airway

Question 5

Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli (lower airway).

Answer 5

1. trachea
2. bronchus
3. bronchiole
4. alveolus

Question 6

Function of alveolus.

Answer 6

functional unit of the respiratory system

Question 7

Define the process of diffusion where it occurs in the lungs.

Answer 7

Diffusion is the exchange of oxygen between the alveoli and capillaries:
1. Oxygen diffuses into the blood
2. Carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli

Question 8

List the steps of the primary assessment.

Answer 8

1. General Impression
2. AVPU
3. Loss of consciousness
4. ABCD

Question 9

Pertinent findings in AVPU.

Answer 9

1. alert
2. verbal
3. pain
4. unresponsive

Question 10

Pertinent findings in loss of consciousness.

Answer 10

1. name
2. location
3. time
4. event

Question 11

Pertinent findings in ABCD.

Answer 11

1. airway: open/ patent
2. breathing: respiratory rate (normal, regular, unlabored), lung sounds (clear, bilateral)
3. circulatory: heart rate (normal, regular, strong), skin (pink, warm, dry)
4. decision to transport: stable (do not transport), unstable (transport)

Question 12

Describe which muscles are working during inhalation and exhalation.

Answer 12

• during inhalation, the rib cage gets larger and the rib muscles contract. The diaphragm contracts, pulling the lungs.
• during exhalation, the rib cage gets smaller and the rib muscles relax. The diaphragm relaxes, releasing the lungs.

Question 13

Describe the role of the phrenic nerve.

Answer 13

when there is a high concentration of CO2 in the blood, chemoreceptors located in the aorta, coratids, and brain detects and sends a signal to the phrenic nerve to relay to the nervous system. Breathing will occur.

Question 14

List the upper airway sounds and which condition would likely be heard.

Answer 14

stridor

Question 15

List the lower airway sounds and which condition would likely be heard with each.

Answer 15

1. wheezing
2. cackles/rale
3. rhonci

Question 16

The signs and symptoms and breathing rates of a patient suffering from respiratory distress.

Answer 16

• shortness of breath
• 2-3 word dyspnea
• restlessness
• normal mental state
• increased pulse and breathing rate
• noisy breathing
• retractions
• upright and/or tripod position

Question 17

The signs and symptoms and breathing rates of a patient suffering from respiratory failure.

Answer 17

• rapid, shallow breaths
• altered mental state
• cyanosis
• rate below 10 or above 30

Question 18

Define tidal volume.

Answer 18

the amount of air that is moved into or out of the lungs in a single breath, generally 500 mL in adults

Question 19

Define minute volume.

Answer 19

respiratory rate x tidal volume

Question 20

Define compliance.

Answer 20

ability of the alveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalation

Question 21

Define seesaw respirations.

Answer 21

the chest and abdominal muscles alternately contract to look like a seesaw

Question 22

List the assessment steps in START Triage and how to traige a patient.

Answer 22

1. Assess for walking, green
2. Assess for respirations after positioning, black
3. Assess for respiratory rate above 30, red
4. Assess for perfusion above 2 seconds, red
5. Assess for altered mental status, red
6. Assess for normal mental status, yellow

Question 23

Protective structures.

Answer 23

• epiglottis
• ribs and intercostal muscles
• cilia and mucous membrane
• visceral and parietal pleura

Question 24

Primary muscles.

Answer 24

• diaphragm
• intercostals

Question 25

Accessory muscles.

Answer 25

* sternocleidomastoid and pectorals * trapezius * abdominal

Question 26

Define respiration.

Answer 26

gas exchange, and cellular diffusion

Question 27

Define tachypnea.

Answer 27

fast breathing (above 12-20 breaths per minute)

Question 28

Define bradypnea.

Answer 28

slow breathing (below 12-20 breaths per minute)

Question 29

Define inspiratory reserve volume.

Answer 29

the deepest breath you can take after a normal breath

Question 30

Define expiratory reserve volume.

Answer 30

maximum amount of air that you can forcible breathe out after a normal breath

Question 31

Define residual volume.

Answer 31

remainder of gas in the lugns after exhalation to keep lungs open

Question 32

Define vital capacity.

Answer 32

amount that can be forcibly exhaled after breathing deeply

Question 33

Define dead space.

Answer 33

portion of the respiratory system that has no alveoli, and therefore, little or not exchange of gas between air and blood occurs

Question 34

Define anatomic.

Answer 34

where gas exchange can't occur

Question 35

Define physiological.

Answer 35

Where gas exchange should occur but doesn't

Question 36

What is the air content during inhalation.

Answer 36

* 74% N2 * 21% O2 * 0.5% H2O * 0.04% CO2

Question 37

What is the air content during exhalation.

Answer 37

* 74% N2 * 16% O2 * 1% misc. gasses * 4.5% CO2

Question 38

Name of respiratory pattern.

Answer 38

Cheyne-Stokes breathing

Question 39

Name of respiratory pattern.

Answer 39

Kussmaul's

Question 40

Name of respiratory pattern.

Answer 40

Central neurogenic hyperventilation

Question 41

Respiratory characteristics in children.

Answer 41

* mouth, nose, and larynx are smaller and less rigid * tongue takes a larger proportion * trachea is narrower and more flexible * more dependent on diaphragm * retractions, see-saw breathing, and nasal flaring