Respiratory System Flashcards
Define hypercapnia
When the stimulus to breathe is dictated by low CO2 levels rather than low O2 levels.
Parietal pleura
Lines the inside of the thoracic cavity.
Visceral pleura
Covers the lungs (pulmonary surfaces)
What is a thoracentesis?
Removal of air or fluid from the pleural space via transthoracic aspiration.
Steps for respiratory suctioning
- Place patient in an upright position
- Hyperoxygenate the patient
- Insert the catheter with the suction on
- Apply suction intermittently while rotating and withdrawing the catheter.
- Hyperoxygenate the patient
Arterial Blood Gas Values
pH - 7.35-7.45 (Acid-base)
PCO2 - 35-4 (Respiratory)
HCO3 - 22-27 (Metabolic)
Flail Chest
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.
Acute respiratory failure
Insufficient oxygen transported to blood or insufficient carbon dioxide removed in the lungs.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Respiratory failure resulting in fluid buildup in the lungs. Usually caused by another condition (ie. sepsis, fluid overload, shock, trauma, burns, etc.)
Signs and symptoms of COPD
- Barrel chest
- Use of accessory muscles
- Prolongs expiration
- ABG levels indicate respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Respiratory illness cause by SARS virus. Transmitted via droplet and direct contact.
Pneumonia
Infection of the pulmonary tissue causing inflammation and edema in the lungs.
Empyema
Collection of puss in the pleural cavity
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the visceral and parietal pleural membranes caused by pulmonary infarction or pneumonia. Membranes rubbing together causes chest pain.
Histoplasmosis
Pulmonary fungal infection caused by spores.
Sarcoidosis
Growth of inflammatory cells causing granulomas in the lungs.
Tuberculosis
Highly communicable lung disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. Transmitted airborne via droplets.
Tuberculosis care precautions
- Particle respirator
- Gown
- Gloves
- Patient wears mask if leaving room
Treatment for tuberculosis
Medication administered. Patient no longer infectious after 2-3 weeks of treatment.
Vital capacity
Maximum amount of air expelled from lungs after maximum inspiration.
Flail chest
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.
Early manifestation of tuberculosis
A cough with mucoid sputum
Late manifestations of tuberculosis
Dyspnea, chest pain, bloody sputum.
Someone with TB may return to work after….
3 negative sputum cultures
Histoplasmosis
Lung infection caused by fungal spores.
Symptoms of histoplastmosis
- Fever
- Dyspnea
- Cough
- Weight loss
Pulmonary sarcoidosis
Small tissues group together to form granulomas which lodge in the lungs causing SOB and persistent cough.
Closed pneumothorax symptoms
SOB and chest pain
Large pneumothorax symptoms
- Tachypnea
- Cyanosis
- Diminished breath sounds
- Subcutaneous emphysema
Carbon Monoxide Symptoms 11-20%
- Flushing
- Headache
- Decreased visual activity
- Decreased brain activity
Carbon Monoxide Symptoms 21-40%
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Confusion
Carbon `Monoxide Symptoms 40-60%
- Seizure
2 Coma
Safe suction range for an adult
80-120mm/Hg
Atelectasis
When one area of the lung collapses or doesn’t inflate properly.
Tuberculosis signs and symptoms
- Pain
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Low grade fever
- Cough with mucous and blood tinged sputum
- Hemoptysis
When do you interpret a tuberculin skin test?
48-72 hours after administration
T-piece ventilation
Used for weaning.
- The client is removed from ventilator for short periods.
- Supplemental 02 provided at 10% higher rate than normal
- Ventilator is disconnected and T-piece is connected
- Pressure support
Intermittent/Synchronized Mandatory Ventilation
Respiratory rate on ventilator is reduced until client can breathe on their own.
Early symptoms of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Dyspnea and tachypnea
Late signs of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Frothy, bloody sputum
Obturator
Used to insert a tracheostomy tube
Fremitis
Vibration, palpitation and auscultation of the chest.
Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis
- Persistent purulent nasal drainage
- Chronic cough
- Anosmia (loss of smell)
- Nasal stuffiness
- Headache (worse on awakening)
Left sided heart failure results in what kinds of symptoms?
Respiratory
Tension pneumothorax
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.
