Respiratory Quiz Flashcards
Surfactant is produced by which cells?
Type II pneumocytes
What is the effect of surfactant on alveolar surface tension? How does this help functionality?
Reduces alveolar surface tension
This reduces the tendency of them to collapse and thus the work required to inflate them.
What is the name given to the factor that prevents bronchiolar collapse during expiration?
Radial traction
What is the relationship between elastic recoil and compliance?
The 2 factors are inversely proportional to each other—- as one increases, the other decreases.
In an individual with pulmonary fibrosis, what would you predict her lung functional residual capacity to be in comparison with someone with healthy lungs? Why?
Decreased, secondary to increased elastic recoil
(Decreased compliance, therefore unable to explain as much for optimal air entry)
What would you expect to auscultate in an individual with pulmonary fibrosis?
Fine ‘Velcro’ crackles best heard in dependent lung fields
A baby is born at 28 weeks, and is noted to be having trouble breathing with nasal flaring, grunting and tachypnoea. What is the likely diagnosis? What is the pathophysiology behind this diagnosis?
Infant respiratory distress syndrome
Stiff lungs with decreased compliance secondary to low surfactant, due to immature type II pneumocytes lacking production capability.
What is the treatment for infant respiratory distress syndrome?
If it is known that a baby will be born prematurely, the mother should be given steroids to help develop the baby’s lungs.
If spontaneous, give the infant as much fluid down respiratory tract as possible.
Add to this??????????
What physiological changes happen to individuals who live at high altitudes? How does this effect the oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve?
Increased levels of 2,3-DPG with rightward shift of the oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve (towards relaxed state—reduced affinity of oxygen)
Which physiological dysfunction is the most common cause of hypercapnia?
Alterations in respiratory rate
(Especially hypoventilation and lower respiratory rates— do not blow off as much carbon dioxide)
What type of pain and where will the pain be present in an individual with a pulmonary embolism?
Sharp pain (pleuritic) superficial to an intercostal space
A 2 year old boy inhales a grape he was eating and immediately starts to choke. The grape has traversed the trachea and become lodged. Where is the grape most likely to be located and why?
Right main bronchus
Due to the tube being wider and more vertical after the carina.
A patient is diagnosed with a pneumothorax, and a chest drain is inserted to relieve the pressure on the lungs. Where is this inserted?
5th intercostal space, mid axillary line (within the safe triangle), just ABOVE 6th rib
Across which cells within alveoli does gaseous exchange occur?
Type 1 pneumocytes
What is the equation utilised to calculate the partial pressure of oxygen in the air being delivered?
Atmospheric pressure x % of oxygen in air
