Respiratory Lecture 1 Flashcards
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli (upper airway).
- nares/buccal
- nasopharynx/oropharynx
- epiglottis
- larynx
Function of the epiglottis.
prevents food from entering the trachea
Function of the larynx.
contains the vocal cords and glottic opening
Function of the glottic opening.
connects the upper airway to the lower airway
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli (lower airway).
- trachea
- bronchus
- bronchiole
- alveolus
Function of alveolus.
functional unit of the respiratory system
Define the process of diffusion where it occurs in the lungs.
Diffusion is the exchange of oxygen between the alveoli and capillaries:
1. Oxygen diffuses into the blood
2. Carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli
List the steps of the primary assessment.
- General Impression
- AVPU
- Loss of consciousness
- ABCD
Pertinent findings in AVPU.
- alert
- verbal
- pain
- unresponsive
Pertinent findings in loss of consciousness.
- name
- location
- time
- event
Pertinent findings in ABCD.
- airway: open/ patent
- breathing: respiratory rate (normal, regular, unlabored), lung sounds (clear, bilateral)
- circulatory: heart rate (normal, regular, strong), skin (pink, warm, dry)
- decision to transport: stable (do not transport), unstable (transport)
Describe which muscles are working during inhalation and exhalation.
- 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.
Describe the role of the phrenic nerve.
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.
List the upper airway sounds and which condition would likely be heard.
stridor
List the lower airway sounds and which condition would likely be heard with each.
- wheezing
- cackles/rale
- rhonci
The signs and symptoms and breathing rates of a patient suffering from respiratory distress.
- shortness of breath
- 2-3 word dyspnea
- restlessness
- normal mental state
- increased pulse and breathing rate
- noisy breathing
- retractions
- upright and/or tripod position
The signs and symptoms and breathing rates of a patient suffering from respiratory failure.
- rapid, shallow breaths
- altered mental state
- cyanosis
- rate below 10 or above 30
Define tidal volume.
the amount of air that is moved into or out of the lungs in a single breath, generally 500 mL in adults
Define minute volume.
respiratory rate x tidal volume
Define compliance.
ability of the alveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalation
Define seesaw respirations.
the chest and abdominal muscles alternately contract to look like a seesaw
List the assessment steps in START Triage and how to traige a patient.
- Assess for walking, green
- Assess for respirations after positioning, black
- Assess for respiratory rate above 30, red
- Assess for perfusion above 2 seconds, red
- Assess for altered mental status, red
- Assess for normal mental status, yellow
Protective structures.
- epiglottis
- ribs and intercostal muscles
- cilia and mucous membrane
- visceral and parietal pleura
Primary muscles.
- diaphragm
- intercostals
Accessory muscles.
- sternocleidomastoid and pectorals
- trapezius
- abdominal
Define respiration.
gas exchange, and cellular diffusion
Define tachypnea.
fast breathing (above 12-20 breaths per minute)
Define bradypnea.
slow breathing (below 12-20 breaths per minute)
Define inspiratory reserve volume.
the deepest breath you can take after a normal breath
Define expiratory reserve volume.
maximum amount of air that you can forcible breathe out after a normal breath
Define residual volume.
remainder of gas in the lugns after exhalation to keep lungs open
Define vital capacity.
amount that can be forcibly exhaled after breathing deeply
Define dead space.
portion of the respiratory system that has no alveoli, and therefore, little or not exchange of gas between air and blood occurs
Define anatomic.
where gas exchange can’t occur
Define physiological.
Where gas exchange should occur but doesn’t
What is the air content during inhalation.
- 74% N2
- 21% O2
- 0.5% H2O
- 0.04% CO2
What is the air content during exhalation.
- 74% N2
- 16% O2
- 1% misc. gasses
- 4.5% CO2
Name of respiratory pattern.
Cheyne-Stokes breathing
Name of respiratory pattern.
Kussmaul’s
Name of respiratory pattern.
Central neurogenic hyperventilation
Respiratory characteristics in children.
- 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
