Respiratory pathology and emergencies Flashcards
What is the primary function of the airway?
To facilitate the passage of air to and from the lungs.
True or False: The trachea is a muscular structure.
False. The trachea is a rigid tube supported by cartilage.
Fill in the blank: The ________ is the part of the airway that connects the throat to the lungs.
trachea
What are the two main branches of the trachea called?
Bronchi
Multiple Choice: Which structure is responsible for gas exchange?
Alveoli
What is the term for the inflammation of the airways often seen in asthma?
Bronchoconstriction
True or False: The epiglottis prevents food from entering the trachea.
True
What is the primary cause of obstructive sleep apnea?
Repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep.
Fill in the blank: The ________ is located at the base of the larynx and leads to the trachea.
cricoid cartilage
Which condition is characterized by wheezing and shortness of breath?
Asthma
What is the medical term for difficulty breathing?
Dyspnea
True or False: The lungs are located in the mediastinum.
False. The lungs are located in the thoracic cavity.
What is the purpose of the alveolar-capillary membrane?
To allow gas exchange between the alveoli and the blood.
Fill in the blank: The ________ is a flap of tissue that covers the larynx during swallowing.
epiglottis
What is the term for the sound made during breathing due to airway obstruction?
Stridor
True or False: Bronchodilators are used to widen airways.
True
What is the primary role of the diaphragm in respiration?
To contract and expand the thoracic cavity for inhalation and exhalation.
Fill in the blank: The ________ is the part of the respiratory system involved in the exchange of gases.
lungs
What condition is characterized by fluid in the alveoli?
Pulmonary edema
What is the primary symptom of a pulmonary embolism?
Sudden shortness of breath
True or False: The respiratory system is responsible for oxygenating the blood.
True
What is the medical term for a respiratory rate that is faster than normal?
Tachypnea
Fill in the blank: The ________ divides the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
diaphragm
What is a common sign of respiratory failure?
Cyanosis
What is the normal range for adult respiratory rate?
12 to 20 breaths per minute
True or False: Anaphylaxis can cause airway swelling.
True
What is the function of the nasal cavity?
To filter, warm, and humidify the air.
Fill in the blank: The ________ connects the pharynx to the trachea.
larynx
Which condition is characterized by chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes?
Chronic bronchitis
What is the primary cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke.
True or False: The right lung has three lobes.
True
What is the term for the volume of air that remains in the lungs after a forced exhalation?
Residual volume
Fill in the blank: The ________ is an emergency procedure to create an airway.
tracheostomy
What is a sign of asthma?
Chest tightness & wheezing
What is the primary method of oxygen delivery in emergency situations?
Oxygen mask or nasal cannula
True or False: Hyperventilation can lead to respiratory alkalosis.
True
What is the medical term for a lung infection?
Pneumonia
Fill in the blank: The ________ is the smallest airway passage leading to the alveoli.
bronchiole
What is the term for the absence of breathing?
Apnea
True or False: The left lung has two lobes.
True
What is the significance of the pleura in the respiratory system?
It provides lubrication and reduces friction during lung expansion and contraction.
Fill in the blank: The ________ area is responsible for the regulation of breathing.
medulla oblongata
Which structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing?
Epiglottis
The epiglottis is a flap that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration.
The primary muscle responsible for breathing is the:
Diaphragm
The diaphragm contracts and flattens to allow air to enter the lungs.
What is the normal respiratory rate for an adult at rest?
12-20 breaths per minute
This range is considered normal for a healthy adult at rest.
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and blood is known as:
External respiration
This process occurs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.
Hypoxia is best defined as:
A deficiency of oxygen at the tissue level
Hypoxia can lead to cellular dysfunction and damage.
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in an unconscious patient?
The tongue
The tongue can fall back and obstruct the airway when a person is unconscious.
Which maneuver is used to open the airway of a patient with suspected cervical spine injury?
Jaw-thrust maneuver
This technique minimizes neck movement to protect the spine.
A 4-year-old child has a complete airway obstruction due to a foreign object. What is the best initial treatment?
Perform five back blows and five chest thrusts
This method is recommended for children with choking.
What is the appropriate suctioning time limit for an adult?
10 seconds
This limit helps prevent hypoxia during suctioning.
When using a bag-valve mask (BVM), what percentage of oxygen is delivered when properly connected to supplemental oxygen with a reservoir bag?
90-100%
A reservoir bag allows for high concentration oxygen delivery.
A patient with stridor most likely has:
An upper airway obstruction
Stridor is a high-pitched wheezing sound indicative of upper airway issues.
The term “agonal respirations” refers to:
Deep, gasping breaths that occur near death
These breaths are often seen in patients nearing cardiac arrest.
A patient experiencing severe respiratory distress and tripod positioning is most likely suffering from:
Respiratory failure
Tripod positioning is often adopted to ease breathing difficulties.
What is the primary cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Smoking
Smoking is the leading risk factor for developing COPD.
Which condition is characterized by bronchospasm, increased mucus production, and airway inflammation?
Asthma
Asthma attacks can lead to difficulty breathing due to these symptoms.
What lung sound is commonly heard in patients with an asthma attack?
Wheezing
Wheezing is a result of narrowed airways during an asthma attack.
A sudden onset of sharp chest pain and difficulty breathing in an otherwise healthy young adult may indicate:
Spontaneous pneumothorax
This condition can occur without warning in young, healthy individuals.
Pulmonary edema is most commonly associated with:
Congestive heart failure
In CHF, fluid accumulates in the lungs, causing pulmonary edema.
What is the best device to administer high-flow oxygen to a breathing patient in severe respiratory distress?
Non-rebreather mask
This device allows for the highest concentration of oxygen delivery.
Which patient would most benefit from CPAP therapy?
A patient with CHF and pulmonary edema
CPAP helps maintain airway pressure and improves oxygenation.
What oxygen delivery device is best for a patient with mild hypoxia who cannot tolerate a mask?
Nasal cannula
Nasal cannulas are less invasive and more comfortable for some patients.
Inadequate oxygenation of the body’s tissues is called:
Hypoxia
Hypoxia can lead to serious health complications if not addressed.
Which of the following is a contraindication for using a non-rebreather mask?
Unconscious patient with no gag reflex
This condition poses a risk of aspiration and inadequate ventilation.
What is the most likely cause of airway obstruction in a 67-year-old male who is unconscious and snoring?
The tongue
The tongue can obstruct the airway in an unconscious patient due to loss of muscle tone.
What does nasal flaring and accessory muscle use indicate in a patient found in respiratory distress?
Increased work of breathing
These signs suggest the patient is struggling to breathe effectively.
What is your first airway management intervention for a patient with an altered level of consciousness found lying supine?
Perform a head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver
This maneuver helps to open the airway in unconscious patients.
What condition do you suspect in a 5-year-old child with a high fever, drooling, and stridor who is sitting upright and leaning forward?
Epiglottitis
This condition is characterized by inflammation of the epiglottis and can lead to airway obstruction.
What is your next step for a patient found unresponsive with a weak pulse and no visible chest rise?
Perform rescue breaths with a BVM
This is crucial for providing ventilation in an unresponsive patient.
What is the immediate intervention for a 3-year-old who is choking and unable to cough or make a sound?
Deliver five back blows followed by five chest thrusts
These actions help to dislodge an obstruction in a choking child.
What should you do first for a 56-year-old male with COPD experiencing severe shortness of breath, pursed-lip breathing, and tripod positioning?
Apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 LPM
This provides high-flow oxygen to a patient in respiratory distress.
What is the best way to clear vomit from the airway of an unconscious patient?
Turn the patient onto their side and suction
This helps prevent aspiration and clears the airway effectively.
What is the best airway management technique for a patient with facial trauma experiencing airway compromise?
Perform a jaw-thrust maneuver
This technique is preferred to minimize movement of the cervical spine.
What is a 72-year-old patient with a history of stroke, difficulty swallowing, and a weak cough at risk for?
Aspiration pneumonia
Difficulty swallowing increases the risk of food or liquid entering the lungs.
What intervention would most benefit a 65-year-old male with CHF who is cyanotic and has crackles in his lungs?
CPAP therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure can help improve oxygenation in CHF patients.
What is your primary concern for a 24-year-old asthmatic struggling to breathe with diminished lung sounds?
Impending respiratory failure
Diminished lung sounds and inability to speak in full sentences are critical signs.
What do you suspect in a 68-year-old male who suddenly develops severe chest pain and difficulty breathing with diminished lung sounds on one side?
Spontaneous pneumothorax
This condition can cause sudden respiratory distress and decreased breath sounds.
What is your most likely diagnosis for a patient involved in a high-speed MVC with severe difficulty breathing, jugular vein distension, and tracheal deviation?
Tension pneumothorax
This is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention.
What is the priority intervention for a patient experiencing anaphylaxis with severe airway swelling?
Administer epinephrine
Epinephrine is critical for reversing severe allergic reactions and airway swelling.
What is the best oxygen delivery method for a patient with a history of COPD and an SpO2 of 89%?
Nasal cannula at 2 LPM
Lower flow rates are often needed for COPD patients to avoid hypercapnia.
What is the best method for ventilating a 30-year-old patient who is found unconscious and apneic?
Bag-valve mask with oxygen
This provides effective ventilation for apneic patients.
What is the best oxygen therapy for a 10-year-old with respiratory distress and an SpO2 of 92%?
Nasal cannula at 4 LPM
This is appropriate for mild respiratory distress in children.
What should you suspect for a patient with COPD who is becoming drowsy and lethargic after receiving high-flow oxygen?
Hypercapnia
High-flow oxygen can lead to carbon dioxide retention in COPD patients.
What is the most urgent intervention for a 45-year-old with asthma speaking in one-word sentences and having absent lung sounds?
Assist ventilations with a BVM
This indicates severe respiratory distress and the need for immediate support.
What are the main components of the upper airway?
Nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx.
True or False: The trachea is part of the upper airway.
False.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the passageway for air that connects the larynx to the bronchi.
trachea
What is the primary function of the upper airway?
To filter, warm, and moisten incoming air.
List the three sections of the pharynx.
Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx.
Which structure prevents food from entering the airway during swallowing?
Epiglottis.
What is the main function of the larynx?
To produce sound and protect the airway during swallowing.
True or False: The vocal cords are located in the trachea.
False.
What structures make up the lower airway?
Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT part of the lower airway? A) Bronchi B) Larynx C) Alveoli
B) Larynx.
What is the role of cilia in the airway?
To trap and move particles out of the airway.
Fill in the blank: The __________ are tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs.
alveoli
What is the principle mechanism of breathing?
Inhalation and exhalation through changes in pressure.
True or False: The diaphragm is a muscle that aids in breathing.
True.
What is the purpose of the surfactant in the alveoli?
To reduce surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse.
What is the anatomical term for the throat?
Pharynx.
Multiple Choice: Which part of the airway is responsible for the sound of your voice? A) Trachea B) Larynx C) Bronchi
B) Larynx.
What is the primary muscle involved in inhalation?
Diaphragm.
Fill in the blank: The __________ connects the pharynx to the trachea.
larynx
True or False: The bronchi are the main passageways that lead to the lungs.
True.
What is the function of the alveoli?
To facilitate gas exchange between air and blood.
What type of epithelium lines the trachea?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.
Fill in the blank: The __________ are the branches that lead from the trachea to the lungs.
bronchi
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
To provide oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide.
What is the term for the exchange of gases in the alveoli?
Respiration.
