Respiratory System

Question 1

Define hypercapnia

Answer 1

When the stimulus to breathe is dictated by low CO2 levels rather than low O2 levels.

Question 2

Parietal pleura

Answer 2

Lines the inside of the thoracic cavity.

Question 3

Visceral pleura

Answer 3

Covers the lungs (pulmonary surfaces)

Question 4

What is a thoracentesis?

Answer 4

Removal of air or fluid from the pleural space via transthoracic aspiration.

Question 5

Steps for respiratory suctioning

Answer 5

1. Place patient in an upright position
2. Hyperoxygenate the patient
3. Insert the catheter with the suction on
4. Apply suction intermittently while rotating and withdrawing the catheter.
5. Hyperoxygenate the patient

Question 6

Arterial Blood Gas Values

Answer 6

pH - 7.35-7.45 (Acid-base)
PCO2 - 35-4 (Respiratory)
HCO3 - 22-27 (Metabolic)

Question 7

Flail Chest

Answer 7

Caused by blunt trauma (often breaking several ribs) which results in separation of ribs from others resulting in paradoxical respirations (part of the chest wall moves the opposite direction on inspiration and expiration.

Question 8

Acute respiratory failure

Answer 8

Insufficient oxygen transported to blood or insufficient carbon dioxide removed in the lungs.

Question 9

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

Answer 9

Respiratory failure resulting in fluid buildup in the lungs. Usually caused by another condition (ie. sepsis, fluid overload, shock, trauma, burns, etc.)

Question 10

Signs and symptoms of COPD

Answer 10

1. Barrel chest
2. Use of accessory muscles
3. Prolongs expiration
4. ABG levels indicate respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia

Question 11

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Answer 11

Respiratory illness cause by SARS virus. Transmitted via droplet and direct contact.

Question 12

Pneumonia

Answer 12

Infection of the pulmonary tissue causing inflammation and edema in the lungs.

Question 13

Empyema

Answer 13

Collection of puss in the pleural cavity

Question 14

Pleurisy

Answer 14

Inflammation of the visceral and parietal pleural membranes caused by pulmonary infarction or pneumonia. Membranes rubbing together causes chest pain.

Question 15

Histoplasmosis

Answer 15

Pulmonary fungal infection caused by spores.

Question 16

Sarcoidosis

Answer 16

Growth of inflammatory cells causing granulomas in the lungs.

Question 17

Tuberculosis

Answer 17

Highly communicable lung disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. Transmitted airborne via droplets.

Question 18

Tuberculosis care precautions

Answer 18

1. Particle respirator
2. Gown
3. Gloves
4. Patient wears mask if leaving room

Question 19

Treatment for tuberculosis

Answer 19

Medication administered. Patient no longer infectious after 2-3 weeks of treatment.

Question 20

Vital capacity

Answer 20

Maximum amount of air expelled from lungs after maximum inspiration.

Question 21

Flail chest

Answer 21

Segment of the rib cage breaks and becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall (usually due to trauma). Normally there are multiple rib fractures. This causes paradoxical respirations of the chest.

Question 22

Early manifestation of tuberculosis

Answer 22

A cough with mucoid sputum

Question 23

Late manifestations of tuberculosis

Answer 23

Dyspnea, chest pain, bloody sputum.

Question 24

Someone with TB may return to work after….

Answer 24

3 negative sputum cultures

Question 25

Histoplasmosis

Answer 25

Lung infection caused by fungal spores.

Question 26

Symptoms of histoplastmosis

Answer 26

1. Fever
2. Dyspnea
3. Cough
4. Weight loss

Question 27

Pulmonary sarcoidosis

Answer 27

Small tissues group together to form granulomas which lodge in the lungs causing SOB and persistent cough.

Question 28

Closed pneumothorax symptoms

Answer 28

SOB and chest pain

Question 29

Large pneumothorax symptoms

Answer 29

1. Tachypnea
2. Cyanosis
3. Diminished breath sounds
4. Subcutaneous emphysema

Question 30

Carbon Monoxide Symptoms 11-20%

Answer 30

1. Flushing
2. Headache
3. Decreased visual activity
4. Decreased brain activity

Question 31

Carbon Monoxide Symptoms 21-40%

Answer 31

1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Dizziness
4. Tinnitus
5. Vertigo
6. Confusion

Question 32

Carbon `Monoxide Symptoms 40-60%

Answer 32

1. Seizure

2 Coma

Question 33

Safe suction range for an adult

Answer 33

80-120mm/Hg

Question 34

Atelectasis

Answer 34

When one area of the lung collapses or doesn’t inflate properly.

Question 35

Tuberculosis signs and symptoms

Answer 35

1. Pain
2. Anorexia
3. Weight loss
4. Night sweats
5. Low grade fever
6. Cough with mucous and blood tinged sputum
7. Hemoptysis

Question 36

When do you interpret a tuberculin skin test?

Answer 36

48-72 hours after administration

Question 37

T-piece ventilation

Answer 37

Used for weaning.

1. The client is removed from ventilator for short periods.
2. Supplemental 02 provided at 10% higher rate than normal
3. Ventilator is disconnected and T-piece is connected
4. Pressure support

Question 38

Intermittent/Synchronized Mandatory Ventilation

Answer 38

Respiratory rate on ventilator is reduced until client can breathe on their own.

Question 39

Early symptoms of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Answer 39

Dyspnea and tachypnea

Question 40

Late signs of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Answer 40

Frothy, bloody sputum

Question 41

Obturator

Answer 41

Used to insert a tracheostomy tube

Question 42

Fremitis

Answer 42

Vibration, palpitation and auscultation of the chest.

Question 43

Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis

Answer 43

1. Persistent purulent nasal drainage
2. Chronic cough
3. Anosmia (loss of smell)
4. Nasal stuffiness
5. Headache (worse on awakening)

Question 44

Left sided heart failure results in what kinds of symptoms?

Answer 44

Respiratory

Question 45

Tension pneumothorax

Answer 45

Serious and potentially life-threatening condition that may be caused by traumatic injury, chronic lung disease, or as a complication of a medical procedure. In this type of pneumothorax, air enters the chest cavity, but cannot escape.