Respiratory Muscle Wekness (exam 2) Flashcards

1
Q

When is mechanical ventilation indicated?

A

Respiratory failure!
Pt cannot sustain the work of breathing required to meet metabolic needs

Indicated by hypercapnia (buildup of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream) and either
Hypoxemia (oxygen in blood) OR
Academia (hydrogen ion concentration of the blood, pH) OR
fatigue/altered mental state

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2
Q

What causes respiratory failure?

A

Increased airway resistance
- Pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome

Hypermetabolic state
- Burn injuries

Failure of central ventilatory drive
- CVA, TBI

Failure of the ventilatory pump
- Muscle weakness (neuromuscular disease)
- Altered breathing mechanics (severe COPD)
- Reduced compliance (pulmonary fibrosis)
- Chest trauma

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3
Q

What are some examples of negative pressure ventilation?

A

Iron lung or chest cuirass

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4
Q

What are some examples of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation?

A

Ambu bag
BiPAP or CPAP

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5
Q

What are some examples of invasive positive pressure ventilation?

A

ET tube
Nasotracheal tube
Tracheostomy tube

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6
Q

How is oxygenation controlled?

A

Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)
Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Also influenced by tidal volume, inspiration/expiration ratio

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7
Q

What would be a severe impairment of fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)?

A

> 60% suggest severe impairment in gas exchange

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8
Q

What would be a severe impairment of of PEEP and what does it do?

A

Prevents airway closure and alveolar collapse
Improves ventilation-perfusion matching

Typically 5–10 cm H2O
If greater than 10, avoid disconnecting vent to transfer

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9
Q

How is ventilation controlled?

A

Tidal volume, respiratory rate, inspiratory flow
rate, and inspiration/expiration ratio can all be
manipulated

Minute ventilation (MV) is the key parameter

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10
Q

What is minute ventilation and what does it reflect?

A

MV reflects alveolar plus dead space ventilation
Alveolar ventilation reflected in PaCO2
Higher PaCO2 = lower alveolar ventilation

MV = volume of air ventilated in 1 minute
MV = respiratory rate * tidal volume
MV = 15 breaths/min * 0.5 L/breath = 7.5 L/min

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11
Q

How is the work of breathing controlled?

A

Mode of ventilation determines the degree of effort the patient contributes to ventilation

Mode is defined by two variables:
1. Volume vs. pressure control
2. Degree of patient control over initiating and sustaining the breath

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12
Q

How is volume controlled?

A

Ventilator delivers a set tidal volume at a set respiratory rate

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13
Q

How is pressure controlled?

A

Airway pressure, rather than volume, is main controlled variable
- Respiratory rate set by clinician
- Tidal volume determined by inspiratory time, patient effort, lung compliance, and airway resistance

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14
Q

What are the different types of breath initiation?

A

Control: all breaths are initiated by machine
Assist: some breaths are initiated by machine
Support: patient initiates all breaths

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15
Q

What are the 3 different degrees of patient control within ventilation?

A

Breath initiation

Duration of inspiration
Machine vs. patient control

Amount of assistance provided by machine
- Amount of pressure/volume delivered by machine in

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16
Q

What does it look like when a patient triggered or normal breath occurs?

A

Negative pressure

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17
Q

What does a volume assist mode vs a pressure assisted mode look like?

A

Volume assist mode: “Shark Fin”
Pressure assisted mode “Square shape”

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18
Q

What is Synchronized Intermittent MV (SIMV) mode?

A

The ventilator will deliver a mandatory (set) number of breaths with a set volume while at the same time allowing spontaneous breaths

Variable square heights

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19
Q

What is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mode?

A

Machine only provides PEEP

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20
Q

List the vent modes from least patient contribution to most

A

Control modes
Assists control
SIMV
Pressure support
CPAP

21
Q

What are some weaning from the ventilator strategies?

A

Decreasing PEEP and FiO2
Use a mode that allows greater patient control
- Assist control to SIMV or pressure support
Spontaneous breathing trial
- “T-piece” or “blow-by”

PT implications
- Coordinate with medical team

22
Q

How does vital capacity change with posture?

A

Reduced in upright position with patients with an SCI

23
Q

Key PT interaction strategies

A

Maintain ROM, prevent contracture
Maximize strength of available muscles
Improve function
Maintain clear airways
Prevent skin breakdown
Increase tolerance to upright sitting

24
Q

Intervention: ROM, stretching, strengthening

A

Active/active assistive for innervated musculature and passive for others

Key considerations/priorities
- Shoulder ER and extension with elbow and wrist extension
- Preserve tenodesis: avoid stretching finger flexors with wrist extension
- Stretch HS while maintaining lumbar extension

25
Q

Intervention: Positioning

A

Change every two hours
- Right and left side lying, supine
- Protect bony prominences

26
Q

Intervention: Airways clearance

A

Suctioning of endotracheal tube to clear upper airway secretions
- Endotracheal suctioning
- Chest PT if retained secretions are a significant issue

27
Q

Intervention: Increasing upright tolerance

A

Weak abdominals: abdominal binder to support abs/diaphragm
Orthostatic hypotension
- Elastic bandages/compression stockings to minimize venous pooling
- Gradual exposure to upright posture
- Monitor vitals and symptoms

28
Q

What is the triad (muscles of respiration)?

A

Intercostals
Diaphragm
Abdominals

29
Q

What is normal ventilation during inspiration? (In regards to the triad)

A

Diaphragm contracts and descends

Intercostals and scalenes stabilize push and elevate rib cage

30
Q

What is normal ventilation during expiration? (In regards to the triad)

A

Passive: Abdominal “tone” supports viscera, which helps to push diaphragm up to resting position
Forced: Contraction of abdominals drives diaphragm upward

Speaking requires eccentric control of inspiratory muscles.

31
Q

High tetraplegic respiratory muscle activation (C1-C4)

A

Absent/weak diaphragm
No spontaneous breathing for C1–C2, some possible for C3–C4

32
Q

Low tetraplegic respiratory muscle activation (C5-T1)

A

Abdominal paralysis (initially flaccid)
- Visceral splay: resting position of diaphragm is lower

Intercostal paralysis (initially flaccid)
- Thorax collapses during strong inspiratory effort

Both inspiration and expiration are weak

33
Q

What is paradoxical breathing?

A

Chest collapses during inspiration due to strong diaphragm, but weak intercostals, abdominals

34
Q

High paraplegic respiratory muscle activation (C8-T11)

A

Increasing control of intercostals
- Greater stabilization/expansion of rib cage: stronger inspiration

Weak abdominals: weak cough, forced exhalation

35
Q

Low paraplegic respiratory muscle activation (T6-L3)

A

Increasing control of abdominals
- Improved support of viscera: higher resting position of diaphragm; stronger inspiration
- Stronger forced exhalation, cough

36
Q

How is vital capacity impacted by SCI?

A

The higher up the SCI the lower the vital capacity

37
Q

Expected CVP impact of SCI (level and muscle impact)

A

C1–C2: Likely full-time vent dependent due to severe diaphragm paralysis
C3–C4: Diaphragm weakness; periods of unassisted ventilation possible
C5: Independent ventilation possible in long term, but initial ventilatory support common. Diaphragm function intact, but abdominal and intercostal paralysis lead to decreased lung volumes, poor cough
C6–C8: Independent breathing; below C7, can augment inspiration with pectoralis major and pectoralis minor
T1–T4: Inspiration and forced expiration supported by intercostals, but cough reduced due to abdominal weakness
T5–T12: Progressive relative improvement in strength at descending lesion levels. Minimal disruption to autonomic system below
T6 T12: Essentially normal respiratory function

38
Q

How can PT’s help patients wean from ventilators?

A

Generally avoid intense mobility/exercise sessions during weaning trials, but PTs can help maximize chance for success with weaning

39
Q

How can positioning maximize ventilation for SCI patients?

A

Supine or slight head down
- If sitting upright, use abdominal binder
Trunk extension
Arms elevated/supported on pillow

40
Q

How can inspiratory muscle training maximize ventilation for SCI patients?

A

Inspiratory muscle training can improve pulmonary function in individuals with cervical SCI
Evidence for effect on complication rate, dyspnea, and quality of life inconclusive

41
Q

Describe inspiratory muscle training during weaning?

A

Mode: threshold training device

Intensity: work up to about 60% of maximum inspiratory pressure OR RPE of 5–6/12–13
- Note: avoid significant fatigue, start at lower intensity and work up

Dosage: seven sets of two minutes each with one minute rest in between

Frequency: five times per week

Duration: ongoing (eight weeks minimum)

42
Q

Other issues that could impact an acute SCI patient after ventilation

A

Pulmonary edema in early stages
- Affects 50% of those with tetraplegia
- Results from fluid resuscitation, hypotension

Venous thromboembolism
- Incidence: 4.5% in acute SCI
- Risk of death 500 times higher in SCI
- Deconditioning of respiratory muscles during mechanical ventilation

43
Q

Exam components (focus on CVP)

A

Vital signs, especially respiration: rate, depth, rhythm
Breathing pattern
Posture
Chest wall motion
Breath control
Cough effectiveness

44
Q

What is and how can you correct the “beer belly posture in SCI patients

A

Posture not optimal for respiration
- Protracted scapulae, shoulder internal rotation
- Mid-trunk fold

Use of towel roll for trunk support
- Improved posture for respiration

45
Q

How to assess breath control?

A

How long can you say “ah?”
- Normal is 15 seconds

How many syllables per breath while speaking?
- Normal is 8–10

46
Q

How to evaluate and grade a cough?

A

Stages of cough
1. Inspiration
2. Closure of glottis
3. Contraction of abdominals, intercostals
4. Opening glottis, expulsion of air

Grading cough
- Effective/functional: sharp, crisp, large volume of air, able to clear airway
- Weak: decreased volume or diminished air movement
- Ineffective: unable to clear airway

47
Q

What are the goals after a patient gets off a ventilator

A

Maintaining clear airways
Maximizing ventilation
Prevent skin breakdown
Prevent contracture
Optimize functional mobility

48
Q

How can you maximize ventilation?

A

Positioning

Incorporating breathing into functional activities
- Exhalation with trunk flexion movements
- Inhalation with trunk extension movements

Breathing exercises
- Breath stacking
- Incentive spirometry
- Inspiratory/expiratory muscle training

49
Q

How can you maintain clear airways?

A

Manually assisted cough
- Deep breath—hold— cough with manual assist
- Abdominal thrust, costophrenic assist, or anterior chest compression

Self-assisted
- Inhale with extension
- Cough/exhale with flexion and manual assist