Respiratory System Flashcards
What stimulates us to breathe and why?
CO2 = byproduct of perfusion and creates acid = body needs to get rid of the acid
What are the 3 main parts of the upper airway?
nasopharynx, oropharynx and larynx
How does air get inhaled in the nasopharynx?
passes through the nasal turbinates
What is the function of the nasal turbinates?
helps create airflow and moves air down air passages
What are the 5 structures of the oropharynx?
hard pallet, soft pallet, tongue, tonsils and uvula
What is the function of the soft pallet?
close nasal passages when you swallow
What is the function of the hard pallet?
structure and rigidity
What is the purpose of tonsils?
lymph nodes of the oropharynx
What part of the airway is the vallecula part of? Why is the vallecula important?
upper airway | landmark for intubation
What is the function of the epiglottis?
separate food and air, make sure food doesn’t go down airway tract
What are the 2 parts located at the superior portion of the trachea?
vocal cords and glottic opening
What structure separates the upper and lower airways?
glottic opening
What is the purpose of the upper airway?
filter, warm and humidify air
Why is it important to humidify air?
adds more moisture content making it easier to breathe in = don’t want our structures to dry out
What is the main vessel that takes air from the upper airway to the lower airway?
trachea
How many C-shaped rings does the trachea have?
9
What is the cricoid cartilage?
located in trachea | only ring that is NOT C-shaped
What is the purpose of the C-shape rings of the trachea?
to give it flexibility
What is the bone in the larynx that aids with stricture and stability?
hyoid bone
What is the biggest structure in the larynx that gives the larynx its structure?
thyroid cartilage
What is a carina?
the end portion of the trachea
What does the carina lead to?
branches off into the Left and Right main-stem bronchus
Is the trachea part of the upper or lower airway?
lower
What does the mainstem bronchus branch into?
bronchi > bronchioles > alveoli
Where are the alveoli located?
at the capillary beds on the ends of the bronchioles
What are alveoli?
air-filled sacs where gas exchange takes place
What is the functional unit of the respiratory system?
alveoli
What is surfactant?
the lubrication of the airway system
Why do our airway structures need to be moist?
prevent from drying up , give elasticity
How do you know when your epiglottis is working?
intact gag reflex
What are the 4 protective structures of the airway?
epiglottis, rib cage, cilia and mucous membranes
What structures does the rib cage proctect?
heart and lungs
What is the function of cilia in airway movement?
filters and moves air throughout body
What are the 2 mucous membranes of the lower airway?
visceral pleura and parietal pleura
What does the visceral pleura line/encase?
lungs
What does the parietal pleura line/encase?
chest cavity
What is the function of the 2 mucous membranes?
prevent friction during inhalation/exhalation
What is the process of respiration in the alveolar/capillary beds? (cellular level)
O2 diffuses through semi-permeable membrane > capillary vessel = attaches to Hb | CO2 detaches out from Hb > diffuses through semi-permeable membrane into the alveolar air sac
What is the process of inspiration?
draw air from environment down into our negative pressure environment»_space;> bronchus mainstems = lungs and chest wall expands
What does the intercostal muscles do during inspiration?
contract up and out = make more room
What does the diaphragm do during inspriation?
relaxes downward = make room for air
What do the intercostal muscles do during expiration?
relaxes down and in = decrease lung volume
What does the diaphragm do?
contracts upward = forces air upward and out the air passages
What are the 2 main muscles used in normal ventilation?
diaphragm and intercostals
What are the 4 accessory muscles for breathing?
sternocleidomastoid | pectorals | trapezius | extra abdominal use
When using accessory muscles to breathe, what do you see the sternocleidomastoid muscles do?
(neck muscles) constricts in
When using accessory muscles to breathe, what do you see the pectoral muscles do?
retractions through chest wall
When using accessory muscles to breathe, what do you see the trapezius muscles do?
indentations present
Define ventilation
mechanical movement of air in and out of the lungs and environment
Define respiration
cellular gas exchange of oxygenation
Define tidal volume
amount of air inhaled in 1 breath
Define minute volume
amount of air inhaled in 1 minute
What is the equation for minute volume?
tidal volume x RR
What is tachypnea?
fast breathing
What is bradypnea?
slow breathing
Define dead space.
inhaled air that does not participate in gas exchange and perfusion | present in airway passages
What is vital capacity?
max amount of air you can exhale
What is residual volume?
air remaining AFTER expiration/exhaling
What does the residual volume help with?
keeping the airways open and patent
What is the tidal volume of an average adult?
500 mL (cc)
What compound do we mostly breathe?
nitrogen
How much O2 is inhaled and how much of it is exhaled?
inhale 21% | exhale 16%
What explains the low O2 output in exhalation?
part of the inhaled O2 is used for perfusion of the tissues in body
What is the Medulla Oblongata part of in the nervous system and what does that mean?
autonomic nervous system = don’t need to think about doing a function
What structure in the nervous system controls and regulates our breathing?
medulla oblongata
What monitors the O2 and CO2 levels in the body?
medulla oblongata
What type of receptors measure the levels of CO2 and O2 in the body? Where are they located?
chemoreceptors in the brain (CSF), aorta, and carotids
What nerve carries the signal to and from the medulla oblongata?
phrenic nerve
Where is the medulla oblongata located?
brainstem
Along what part of the spine is the brainstem located?
C-spine
What initiates ventilation cycles?
brainstem –> medulla oblongata
What is the average RR for adults?
12-20 breaths/minute
How do you know if the breathing rhythm is normal?
consistent chest rise and fall
What do you look for to asses the quality of respirations?
depth of chest rise/fall
What is an abnormal quality of respirations?
shallow or very deep chest rise/fall
What are the 3 types of lung sounds?
wheezing | crackles/rales | rhonchi
What are the 4 parts of the respiratory assessment?
RR, rhythm, quality, and lung sounds
What is a sign of wheezing?
prolonged expiratory phase and a distinct wheeze sound during expiration
What causes wheezing?
constriction of bronchioles/bronchi due to inflammation = narrowing of the bronchioles/bronchi = pushing air through narrow tubes makes wheeze sound
What is a sign of crackles/rales?
crackling/popping sound
What is the cause of crackles/rales?
fluid in the lungs
What condition does crackles/rales indicate?
CHF
What causes rhonchi?
dried out mucus due to a recent fever = high body temp dried out the mucus in lower airways
What is a possible sign of rhonchi?
productive coughing
What disease does rhonchi indicate?
pneumonia
What is considered normal respiration patterns?
mountainous and even waves, rate is consistent, adequate tidal volume
What may a Cheyne Stokes respiration pattern indicate?
severe head trauma | swelling in brain pushes down on brainstem/medulla = affects signals to breathe
How does Cheyne Stokes respirations sound like?
intermittent hyperventilation
How does Kussmaul’s respirations sound like?
huge huffing sounds
What does Kussmaul’s respirations indicate?
diabetic ketoacidosis
What RR is indicative of patient losing ability to manage their own airway?
< 8/min or > 30/min
How do you assess for tidal volume?
adequate chest rise/fall
What muscle use indicates inadequate breathing?
accessory
What skin signs indicate inadequate breathing
cyanosis, cool, clammy
What facial signs that indicate inadequate breathing?
nasal flaring and cyanosis on mouth
What are the 8 signs of Respiratory Distress?
dyspnea | Increased HR/RR | retractions | tripoding/upright position | 2-3 word-dyspnea | noisy breathing/lung sounds | restlessness | normal mental status
What are the 4 signs of Respiratory Failure?
shallow depth of respirations | cyanotic | HR/RR decreases | altered mental status
What is the treatment for respiratory Distress and why?
O2 via NRB or nasal cannula | patient is able to breathe for themselves
What is the treatment for respiratory Failure?
O2 via BVM = breathe for them
What type of breathing is indicative of respiratory distress in kids?
seesaw breathing
Define seesaw breathing.
chest and abdomen move opposite directions (up and down)
Why is seesaw breathing specific to kids?
kids are belly-breathers
Why are kids belly breathers?
chest walls and intercostals are not completely developed = rely on diaphragm
How is the structure of the trachea and upper airway in kids?
very flexible and not rigid = can break easily
