Week 7 - Respiratory and Cardiovascular System

Question 1

How does a supine position impact the respiratory system?

Answer 1

• Impacts the ability to take deep breaths
• Diameter of bronchus is reduced
• Increase in mucous production

Question 2

What happens to the respiratory system when a person is immobile?

Answer 2

• Weight of chest and pressure from abdominal organs further limits chest expansion
• Weakened cough = reduced ability to clear normal bronchial secretions, pooling and stasis of mucous in the lungs/chest
• Blood flow changes = decrease in production of surfactant resulting in alveolar collapse
• Impaired gas exchange

Question 3

What is Atelectasis?

Answer 3

Condition of the lung characterised by collapsed airless alveoli; lung collapse

Question 4

What are the symptoms of Atelectasis?

Answer 4

• dyspnoea
• cough
• fever
• tachypnoea
• low oxygen saturations

Question 5

What is hypostatic pneumonia and chest infections?

Answer 5

• Pooled secretions result in inflammation
• Excellent media for microorganism growth

Question 6

What are the symptoms of hypostatic pneumonia and chest infections?

Answer 6

• fever
• chills
• pleural pain
• dyspnoea
• haemoptysis

Question 7

Nursing intervention for respiratory system - Ambulate

Answer 7

Avoid bed rest and immobility

Question 8

Nursing intervention for respiratory system - Upright position

Answer 8

Fowlers or high fowlers; avoid recumbent position

Question 9

Nursing intervention for respiratory system - reposition

Answer 9

Every 2 hours; facilitates lung
expansion and drainage of secretions

Question 10

Nursing intervention for respiratory system - expand/ clear airways

Answer 10

• Incentive spirometry
• deep breathing and coughing exercises
• mouth care

Question 11

Nursing intervention for respiratory system - hydration

Answer 11

1.5-2 litres of fluid to prevent mucous viscosity

Question 12

Nursing intervention for respiratory system - promote movement of secretions

Answer 12

Vibration, percussion and postural drainage

Question 13

How does immobility impact the cardiovascular system?

Answer 13

• Lessens the effectiveness of the calf muscle ‘pumping’ of blood back to heart

Question 14

How does immobility affect venous return and stasis?

Answer 14

• Impacts venous return due to less effective respiration (deep breaths facilitates blood returning to inferior vena cava)
• Fluid changes – dehydration
• Results in venous stasis (pooling of blood) as compression of veins in the leg between the bones and the bed

Question 15

What are the complications of the cardiovascular system?

Answer 15

• Increased cardiac workload, elevated pulse
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Falls risk