Respiratory System Flashcards
Upper respiratory tract structures
the nose, mouth, pharynx, and larynx
Lower respiratory tract structures
the trachea, bronchi, alveoli, and lungs
Anterior mediastinum structures
thyroid and thymus glands
Middle mediastinum structures
heart and great vessels, esophagus, and trachea
Posterior mediastinum structures
descending aorta and the spine
T or F: The bony structures such as ribs, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae provide support and protection and assist in both inspiration and expiration
True
The most frequently performed exam in the radiology department is the ____ which provides important information about _____________
-chest
-soft tissues, bones, the pleura, the mediastinum, and lung tissue
Which exposure factor should be adjusted based on the presence of a subtractive or additive condition within the patient?
*kVp
In the respiratory system, any condition that adds fluid or tissue to the normally aerated chest (e.g., pneumonia) requires an increase in technical factors to afford proper penetration and exposure. Similarly, any condition that increases the aeration of the chest (e.g., emphysema) reduces the amount of radiation required for proper exposure to be achieved and may require a decrease in technical factor
What is respiratory failure?
a term used to describe a lack of respiratory function or a lack of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange
This may occur at two levels:
1. Within the lungs (intrapulmonary gas exchange)
2. As a result of impaired breathing (inability to move air into and out of the lungs)
Describe how respiratory failure can occur:
This may occur following acute trauma to the chest or as a result of an acute or chronic lung disease.
When ventilation is normal, carbon dioxide (CO2) is removed from the lungs to maintain metabolic homeostasis at the cellular level, thus ensuring that the partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) in arterial blood is approximately 40 mmHg. When PCO2 levels are above 40 mmHg, this signals that the CO2 is not being removed properly, which denotes hypoventilation that can cause hypoxemia and hypercapnia
Hypoxemia vs Hypercapnia
-Hypoxemia signifies low oxygen levels within arterial blood
-Hypercapnia refers to failure of ventilation resulting in the inability to move air into and out of the lungs (High amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood)
Cystic Fibrosis etiology is due to a __________ defect and affects the function of the ________ gland
-genetic
-exocrine
Identify effects caused by cystic fibrosis:
Pulmonary damage is initiated by gradually increasing secretions as a result of hypertrophy of the bronchial glands, leading to obstruction of the bronchial system. The resultant plugging promotes staphylococcal infection, followed by more tissue damage, atelectasis (collapse of lung tissue) and emphysema.
Barrel-chest deformity, clubbing of fingers, and cyanosis occur as the disease progresses. In adolescents and adults, pulmonary complications associated with cystic fibrosis include pneumothorax, hemoptysis, and right-sided heart failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension.
RDS(Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is also known as ______________
hyaline membrane disease
What population is at risk for developing RDS?
premature infants or those born at less than a 37-week gestation
RDS Chest x-ray demonstrates:
severe atelectasis with an air-bronchogram sign, characterized by bronchi surrounded by nonaerated alveoli
Pneumonia is a ____________ disease
inflammatory
What is pneumonia?
the most frequent type of lung infection, resulting in an inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis) and compromised pulmonary function
T of F: Pneumonia is not the most frequent type of lung infection
False, it is
T or F: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in U.S.
True
T or F: Pneumonia is one of the most lethal nosocomial infection
True
What information do CXRs provide when diagnosing/ evaluating the presence of pneumonia?
Determining the location of the inflammation, with the pneumonias appearing as soft, patchy, ill-defined alveolar infiltrates or pulmonary densities
Lobar (Pneumococcal) pneumonia
•What is it?
•How does it appear on x-ray?
•What is it? The most common bacterial pneumonia because this type of bacteria is often present in healthy throats. This infection is generally preceded by an upper respiratory infection
•How does it appear on x-ray? Collection of fluid in one or more lobes, with the lateral view serving to identify the degree of segmental involvement
Bronchopneumonia
•What is it?
Acute inflammation of the bronchi and associated alveoli
Interstitial (Viral) pneumonia:
•What is it?
•How does it appear on x-ray?
•What is it? Caused by various viruses, most commonly influenza virus A and B. It is more common than bacterial pneumonia but less severe. This disease is spread by an infected person shedding the virus, which is transmitted to a nonimmune individual
•How does it appear on x-ray? Radiographic findings are often minimal
Segmental pneumonia:
•What is it?
•How does it appear on x-ray?
•What is it? Inflammation affecting the alveoli within one segment of a lung
•How does it appear on x-ray? soft, patchy, ill-defined alveolar infiltrates or pulmonary densities
Aspiration (Chemical) pneumonia:
•What is it?
•How does it appear on x-ray?
•What is it? Caused by acid vomitus aspirated into the lower respiratory tract, resulting in a chemical pneumonitis
•How does it appear on x-ray? Edema produced by irritation of air passages, appearing as densities radiating from one or both hila into the dependent segments
Mycoplasma pneumonia:
•What is it?
•How does it appear on x-ray?
•What is it? Caused by mycoplasmas, the smallest group of living organisms. They have characteristics of both bacteria and viruses.
•How does it appear on x-ray? A fine, reticular pattern in a segmental distribution, followed by patchy areas of air space consolidation
COVID 19 is a _________ disease
Inflammatory
*severe RDS disease