Respiratory Tests Flashcards
Respiratory Therapy
Department in the hospital that performs treatments ordered by the functions.
Oxygen Therapy O2
-Oxygen is either piped into the patients room (wall outlet) or brough to the patient’s room in an oxygen tank.
-An oxygen order contains the amount of oxygen the patient will receive and delivery mode ex. 4L via NP or mask.
-UC is responsible for informing the assigned nurse of an order and Kardex under respiratory system.
POS: Kx, RN aware.
Oximetry
-Oximetry is a non-invasive method of monitoring arterial blood oxygen concentration.
-Oxygen concentration can be monitored using an electrode placed on a finger or an earlobe.
-UC is responsible for informing the assigned nurse of such an order and Kardex order under Respiratory System.
Incentive Spirometer
-Deep breathing exercise is often used after a patient has had surgery.
-A patient sucks as hard as possible on a tube attached to a plastic device.
-Device houses a ball and each sucking breath lifts the ball.
-This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles that inflate and deflate the lungs.
-Performed by RT, PT, or assigned nurse.
-UC is responsible for checking with nurse on such a order and find out who will perform it unless stated otherwise. Make department aware.
-RT or PT to perform UC makes a REQ.
-Kardex under the respiratory system.
-No Prep.
Pulmonary Function Test PFT
-PFT are performed to determine the functioning capacity of the lungs.
-It measures the lungs capacity to hold air as well as their ability to move air in and out and to exchange oxygen and CO2.
-Performed by RT.
-RT usually requires that all inhalers or bronchodilators not given to patients prior to these tests being performed.
-Need to indicate on medication order for bronchodilators on MAR to “hold 4hrs prior to PFT”
-Kardex under diagnostic.
-POS: Kx, POS, MAR
-Prep (Write beside order on Kx).
Arterial Blood Gases ABG
-Measures the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the arterial blood.
-These concentrations are important indicators of lung function.
-They reflect how well the lungs let oxygen into the blood stream and CO2 out.
-RT performs at beside.
-When physician orders ABG they will usually state whether they want the patient to be on room air RA or oxygen O2; When respiratory is notified that you have a patient that requires ABGs they will also require this info.
-If the physician wants the ABGs done on the patient on room air and the patient is currently on oxygen, you will have to inform the assigned nurse to take the patient off oxygen just prior to test being done.
-UC calls Respiratory department.
-Kardex under bw section and fill out REQ for both lab and respiratory therapy.
-POS: RMO, Kx, RT Aware.
