Respiratory Physiology

Question 1

what is Centri-acinar emphysema?

Answer 1

It is characterized by the destruction of the respiratory bronchioles and surrounding structures.

it is primarily associated with smoking and affects the upper lobes of the lungs

Question 2

what is emphysema?

Answer 2

a condition in which air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness

Question 3

what is compliance?

Answer 3

refers to the ease with which the lungs can be expanded (stretched)

Question 4

what is spirometry?

Answer 4

the measure of breaths to assess lung function

Question 5

what do you measure in spirometry?

Answer 5

the speed and amount of air going into and out of the lungs

Question 6

what 2 machines are used to cary out spirometry?

Answer 6

peak flow meter

vitalograph machine

Question 7

what does FEV stand for?

Answer 7

Forced Expired Volume

Question 8

what does FVC stand for?

Answer 8

Forced Vital Capacity

Question 9

what is FVC?

Answer 9

the total volume of air expelled from the lungs after 6 seconds

Question 10

what are the main symptoms of COPD?

Answer 10

Shortness of breath (SOB)
Sputum
Chronic cough

Question 11

what are the risk factors for COPD?

Answer 11

Smoking
Occupation
Indoor/outdoor pollution

Question 12

what is COPD?

Answer 12

an airway disease where there is irreversible obstruction of airflow that usually deteriorates over time

Question 13

give examples of COPD diseases

Answer 13

chronic bronchitis
emphsema

Question 14

what is cystic fibrosis and bronchiactasis?

Answer 14

obstructive lung diseases

*but NOT COPD

Question 15

describe the characteristics of COPD

Answer 15

• major cause of death and disability
• associated with abnormal inflammatory response
• characterised by airway limitation/obstruction that is not fully reversible

-involves progressive, frequent exacerbations of increasing severity

-breathlessness (dysponea) on exertion

Question 16

why does hyperinflation occur?

Answer 16

due to the destruction of supporting tissue in emphsema

this causes airways to collapse (due to lack of support), and there is increased resistance to expiratory flow, therefore increased likelihood of air remaining in the lungs.

Question 17

where is the obstruction in chronic bronchitis?

Answer 17

within the airway leading to reduced amount of air leavig lungs

Question 18

what 2 things can lead to hyperinflation?

Answer 18

decreased elastic recoil

airway obstruction

Question 19

why does chronic bronchitis usually develop?

Answer 19

in reponse to irritation by smoking or inhaled particles and airway inflammation develops

Question 20

what does inflammation of airways in chronic bronchitis cause?

Answer 20

• hypertrophy of muscle glands

-hypertrophy of smooth muscle lining the airway

• increased numbers of neutrophil, macrophages and lymphocytes (inflammatory cells)

-increased number and size of goblet cells (mucus producing glands)

-increased mucus increases rise of infection

-odemea (swelling) of the lining of the airway

Question 21

what contributes to a decreased lumen diameter in chronic brochitis?

Answer 21

-excess mucus
-impaired ability to clear airways
-inflammatory changes
-smooth muscle hypertrophy
-contraction

Question 22

what occurs in emphysema?

Answer 22

destruction of the aveolar walls so there are fewer larger aveoli (air spaces) that are permanently inflated

Question 23

in emphysema what causes aveolar damage?

Answer 23

is caused by protease breaking down alveolar components

Question 24

in emphysema what structures are damaged?

Answer 24

alveolar walls, alveoli, capillaries

Question 25

what happens when capillaries are damaged?

Answer 25

there is loss of perfusion with blood and less diffusion of respiratory gasses

Question 26

what are the consequences of capillary destruction?

Answer 26

can lead to:
pulmonary hyoertension increase stress on RHS of the heart
development of cor pulmonary