Week 8 (Respiratory)

Question 1

Describe the conducting and respiratory zones of the respiratory tract

Answer 1

• Conducting zone: Includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. Its main function is to conduct air to and from the lungs.
• Respiratory zone: Includes the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli. This is where gas exchange occurs between the air and blood.

Question 2

Describe the relationship between thoracic volume, pressure and air flow

Answer 2

• When thoracic volume increases during inspiration, intrathoracic pressure decreases, leading to air flowing into the lungs.
• Conversely, when thoracic volume decreases during expiration, intrathoracic pressure increases, causing air to flow out of the lungs.

Question 3

Differentiate between external respiration

Answer 3

• External respiration: Refers to the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the air in the alveoli and the blood in pulmonary capillaries.

Question 4

Differentiate between internal respiration

Answer 4

• Internal respiration: Refers to the exchange of gases between the blood in systemic capillaries and the body tissues

Question 5

Outline the features of the respiratory membrane that facilitate gas exchange

Answer 5

The respiratory membrane is composed of thin alveolar and capillary walls. These walls are only one cell thick, allowing for efficient diffusion of gases between the air in the alveoli and the blood in the capillaries. Additionally, the large surface area of the respiratory membrane enhances gas exchange.

Question 6

Discuss the diffusion of gases between the alveoli, capillaries and tissues

Answer 6

• Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into pulmonary capillaries and then into systemic capillaries, where it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells for transport to tissues.
• Carbon dioxide follows the reverse pathway, diffusing from tissues into systemic capillaries, then into pulmonary capillaries, and finally into alveoli to be exhaled.

Question 7

List some non-respiratory functions of the lungs

Answer 7

• In addition to gas exchange, the lungs perform other functions such as regulating blood pH by controlling carbon dioxide levels, filtering small blood clots and debris, producing surfactant to reduce surface tension in the alveoli, and participating in the immune response by housing immune cells and secreting antibodies.

Question 8

Discuss the role of the respiratory system in maintaining homeostasis

Answer 8

The respiratory system helps maintain homeostasis by regulating oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, thereby maintaining blood pH. It also supports cellular metabolism by providing oxygen for cellular respiration and removing carbon dioxide, and it helps regulate body temperature by exchanging heat during breathing.

Question 9

Relate the structure and function of the respiratory system to a range of nursing actions

Answer 9

Nurses play a crucial role in assessing respiratory status, monitoring vital signs, administering oxygen therapy, providing respiratory treatments such as nebulization and chest physiotherapy, assisting with airway management and mechanical ventilation, and educating patients on respiratory health and techniques to improve breathing. Understanding the structure and function of the respiratory system is essential for nurses to provide optimal care to patients with respiratory conditions.

Question 10

What is inspiration

Answer 10

• During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, while the intercostal muscles contract, expanding the ribcage. This increases the thoracic volume, causing a decrease in intrathoracic pressure, allowing air to rush into the lungs

Question 11

What is expiration

Answer 11

• Expiration is typically a passive process, where the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, allowing the ribcage to return to its resting position and air to be expelled from the lungs.

Question 12

List come functions of pulmonary ventilation

Answer 12

• venous blood flow
• lymph flow
• speech
• smell

Question 13

Number these structures in correct anatomical order stating from the nasal cavity

• nasal cavity
• bronchi
• larynx
• alveoli
• trachea
• pharynx
• bronchioles

Answer 13

• 1 nasal cavity
• 2 pharynx
• 3 larynx
• 4 trachea
• 5 bronchi
• 6 bronchioles

Question 14

Lungs are mostly passageways and elastic tissue. What is the role of elastic tissue?

Answer 14

Lungs recoil passively when exhaling, conserving ATP

Question 15

What is the specific function of cilia in the trachea

Answer 15

move contaminated muscus to oropharynx or swallowing

Question 16

Why encourage patients to breathe in through their nose rather than their mouth?

Answer 16

-The nasal passages contain tiny hairs called cilia and mucous membranes that help filter out dust, pollen, bacteria, and other particles from the air

-The nasal passages humidify and moisturize the air as it passes through, which helps prevent irritation of the respiratory tract.

Question 17

As a tracheostomy bypasses the nasal cavity how would this affect the quality of the air inspired by the patient? What could the nurse do to assist with this problem?

Question 18

What are some non-breathing functions of the lungs?

Question 19

Name the two main muscles that initate the volume and pressure changes in the thorax

Answer 19

-diaphragm
- external intercostal muscles

Question 20

When the volume of the thorax increases does the internal pressure increase and decrease relative to atmospheric pressure

Question 21

Why encourage a patient with a respiratory tract infection to expectorate their sputum into a container rather than swallow it?

Answer 21

• Swallowing will move infectious agent, products and debris into digestive tract

Question 22

If a patient has a painful chest or abdominal wound how may this effect their pulmonary ventilation

Answer 22

• discomfort from pain will reduce depth of pulmonary ventilation and therefore gas exchange (external respiration)

Question 23

What can a nurse of to alleviate this problem

Answer 23

• pain relief- medication
• analgesia - without a pain of pain
• rolled towel to support wound

Question 24

Diaphragm pulled down inpiraton.

1. Internal volume of thorax and thus size of lung
2. Internal pressure
3. Direction of air flow

Answer 24

1. Internal volume of thorax and thus size of lung = increases
2. Internal pressure = decreases
3. Direction of air flow = into lungs

Question 25

Diaphragm moves up (expiration)
1. Internal volume of thorax and thus size of lung
2. Internal pressure
3. Direction of air flow

Answer 25

1. Internal volume of thorax and thus size of lung = decreases
2. Internal pressure = increases
3. Direction of air flow = out of lungs