RESPIRATORY - obstructive lung disorders: asthma & COPD Flashcards
EXAM 2 content
what is the definition of obstructive lung disorder?
airways that are narrowed –> allows alveoli to inflate but can not deflate –> increase overall lung volume + can not bring more air in because of the air trapped already –> impaired gas exchange + acid base imbalance
what are the two disorders under obstructive lung dsorders?
- asthma
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
what is asthma?
inflammation disorder to the bronchial mucosa
what is the asthma’s pathophysiology?
airway exposed to antigen/irritant
–> degranulation mast cells
–> histamine release
–> bronchoconstriction + vasodilation
–> cytokines + leukotrienes
–> vasodilation, incr. capillary membrane, smooth muscle constriction & mucus secretion
–> obstructs airway
–> air trapped into alveoli
–> air can not escape
–> impaired gas exchange + hypoxemia
–> hyperventilation
–> respiratory acidosis –> respiratory alkalosis
–> respiratory failure
what are asthma’s risk factors?
hypersensitivities (type 1) + environmental exposure!!
- genetics
- recurrent respiratory infections
- exercise
- GERD
what are the biggest asthma manifestations?
- wheezes
- non productive cough
- use of accessory muscles to breathe
what are the other asthma manifestations?
- neuro: altered LOC, dizziness, anxiety
- CV: tachycardia & hypotension
- resp: tachypnea, dyspnea & diminished breath sound
- GI: n/v
- GU: oliguria
- integ/musc: cyanosis & delayed capillary refill
what labs and lab diagnostics would we use for asthma?
ABGs & PFTs (pulmonary function tests)
what types of drugs do we use for asthma?
- ventilatory support: O2 & mech vent
- opening airways
- reduce allergic reactions
what are the asthma’s complications
- status asthmaticus
- acid base imbalance –> respiratory failure –> cardiac arrest –> death
what is status asthmaticus?
a continuous state of asthma attack –> can get hypoxic –> respiratory/cardiac arrest
what is COPD? does it have a cure?
a progressive disease characterized by airflow limits
what are the two major divisions of COPD and what are they? what do they both lead to?
- chronic bronchitis: overproduction of mucus & productive cough
- emphysema: destruction of alveolar walls –> breakdown elasticity of alveoli –> enlarges gas exchange airways
BOTH LEAD TO TRAPPING OF AIR –> chronic hypercapnia + hypoxia
what is the the pathophysiology of COPD’s chronic bronchitis?
- inflammation –> incr. in cells + mucus production –> air able to get into alveoli during inhalation –> air gets trapped bc of mucus during exhalation –> decr. gas exchange –> v/q mismatch
what is the the pathophysiology of COPD’s emphysema?
neutrophils release an incr. of elastase & protease –> breaks down alveoli & bronchioles –> they lose elasticity –> air trapped –> v/q mismatch