Respiratory Unit Lesson 4: Respiratory Disorders

Question 1

What is pharyngitis / tonsilitis / laryngitis / sinusitis?

Answer 1

When various parts of the upper respiratory structures become inflamed, compromising their functions.

Question 2

What is the result of pharyngitis / tonsilitis / laryngitis / sinusitis?

Answer 2

Tissues swell in size; immune response leads to excess mucus in cavities, pain is often felt, and excess mucus and swelling creates difficulty breathing

Question 3

What is pneumonia?

Answer 3

Infection in the lungs, specifically the alveoli. Infection causes the alveoli to become inflamed

aka lung infection

Question 4

What is the result of pneumonia?

Answer 4

Immune response leads to inflamed alveoli, fluid and pus in the lungs making it difficult to breathe

Question 5

What are the causes of pneumonia?

Answer 5

The infection that causes pneumonia can be bacterial, viral, or fungal in nature. Bacterial and viral infections can be contagious, spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Question 6

What is tuberculosis?

Answer 6

When the alveoli become inflamed due to infection caused by bacteria Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

aka TB, consumption

Question 7

What is the result of tuberculosis?

Answer 7

Immune response leads to inflamed alveoli, fluid and pus in the lungs make it difficult to breathe. The immune system attempts to fight infection but it is very resistant. Scarring of the lungs eventually occurs

Question 8

What is cystic fibrosis?

Answer 8

When bodily secretions are unusually thick

Question 9

What does cystic fibrosis affect?

Answer 9

The lungs, pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestines

Question 10

What is the result of cystic fibrosis?

Answer 10

Many bodily fluids have a viscosity that interferes with normal function. Sputum (mucus from lower respiratory tract) is often coughed up. Breathing becomes difficult due to collected fluids, eventually leading to lung disfunction and possible failure.

Question 11

What is the cause of cystic fibrosis?

Answer 11

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder. It is caused by a mutation in the gene coding for CFTR protein. It affects individuals that carry two copies of the mutated gene.

Question 12

What is emphysema?

Answer 12

When the walls of the alveoli in the lungs breaks down

Question 13

What does emphysema cause?

Answer 13

The damaged alveoli prevent the lungs from functioning optimally due to lack of surface area/blood vessels. Further deterioration of lung tissues leads to scarring and respiratory difficulty. Lung cancer can develop

Question 14

What causes emphysema?

Answer 14

Long-term exposure to irritants.

The most common irritant is cigarette smoke

Question 15

What is asthma?

Answer 15

Airways (bronchial tubes, trachea, etc.) become inflamed and narrowed. Excessive mucus can be produced.

Question 16

What is the result of asthma?

Answer 16

Narrowed airways make breathing difficult. Affected individuals often experience coughing and wheezing

Question 17

What is the cause of asthma?

Answer 17

Thought to be genetic and environmental factors.

Asthma that begins before the age of 12 is thought to be mostly genetic whereas after the age of 12 is thought to be environmental

Question 18

What is pneumothorax?

Answer 18

Air enters the thorax between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to deflate.

aka collapsed lung

Question 19

What is the result of pneumothorax?

Answer 19

A collapsed lung cannot perform normal function. Insufficient amounts of oxygen eventually lead to hypoxia and death if untreated

Question 20

What is the cause of pneumothorax?

Answer 20

Pneumothorax is more likely to occur in individuals with pre-existing lung disease, although cause is not well understood. Traumatic pneumothorax can occur due to blunt trauma or penetrating injury