Respiratory Therapy

Question 1

What is respiratory therapy?

Answer 1

A form of therapy that focuses on your lungs and your ability to adequately breathe

Question 2

What is the overall goal/purpose of a respiratory therapist?

Answer 2

Help patients breathe oxygen; teach patients about specific diseases; educate patients on different prevention methods; discuss treatment options

Question 3

What are the two careers of respiratory therapy?

Answer 3

Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist

Question 4

Differences between two types of respiratory therapists?

Answer 4

Registered respiratory therapists are a little more advanced in their knowledge; they have taken an additional exam, may have taken more classes, practiced more respiratory pathway

Question 5

Similarities between two types of respiratory therapists?

Answer 5

Both have to attend a two or four year program that’s approved by the COARC; both have to take and pass a state board

Question 6

What are the different types of tests or procedures performed by respiratory therapists?

Answer 6

1) arterial blood gas test: (draw blood from artery) assess the level of oxygen in the blood
2) pulmonary function test: determines lung volume/function
3) pulse oximetry: uses infrared technology to measure oxygen carrying capability in your blood
4) auscultation: listen to the lungs with a stethoscope

Question 7

What is the purpose of respiratory therapy tests?

Answer 7

Used to help diagnose lung diseases and conditions

Question 8

Hazards of too much oxygen?

Answer 8

Oxygen toxicity, atelectasis

Question 9

Signs and Symptoms of oxygen toxicity?

Answer 9

Patient is awake, complains of sore throat, complains of difficulty breathing, may exhibit cough, complain of chest hurting

Question 10

Atelectasis

Answer 10

Lung has collapsed because excessive oxygen has consumed the cell and prohibited nitrogen from entering alveoli

Question 11

Apnea

Answer 11

Absence of breathing

Question 12

Dyspnea

Answer 12

Labored, difficulty breathing

Question 13

Tachypnea

Answer 13

Fast breathing

Question 14

Bradypnea

Answer 14

Slow breathing

Question 15

What’s the normal respiration rate per minute for an adult?

Answer 15

12-24

Question 16

How to document pulse oximetry for vital signs?

Answer 16

SpO2

Question 17

What are the two reasons to put a patient on a ventilator?

Answer 17

patient is not breathing (respiratory arrest), all other measures have failed

Question 18

Respiratory diseases

Answer 18

1) Bronchitis: inflammation of the bronchioles
2) Asthma: constriction of the bronchioles
3) Emphysema: alveoli lose elasticity and deteriorate
4) COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease): any chronic lung condition
5) Influenza: viral infection that affects respiratory system
6) Pneumonia: build up of exudate/fluid/mucus

Question 19

What can be diagnosed by PFT (pulmonary function test)?

Answer 19

COPD and Emphysema

Question 20

Two ways to give oxygen to a person

Answer 20

1) Mask: 35%- 50% O2
2) Nasal Cannula: 6L per minute of O2

Question 21

Aerosol types of medications that can be given?

Answer 21

1) Nasal decongestant: causes vasoconstriction
2) Anti-asthmatic: decreases allergen response
3) Corticosteroids: decrease inflammation
4) Bronchodilators: open bronchioles/airways
5) Mucolytics: break up mucus/thin secretions

Question 22

Advantages of aerosol therapy

Answer 22

Quick, effective, easy, convenient, decrease side effects

Question 23

Disadvantages of aerosol therapy

Answer 23

Difficult to get the right dose, difficult to educate the patient especially if they have a tremor, sometimes the care providers themselves don’t know how to use it

Question 24

What is the most commonly prescribed aerosol therapy?

Answer 24

Inhaler

Question 25

What is the most commonly prescribed hyperinflation therapy?

Answer 25

Incentive spirometer

Question 26

Who needs hyperinflation therapy?

Answer 26

Bedridden, chest surgery, neuromuscular disease patients, spinal cord injury patients, chronic lung disease patients