Lung Pathologies

Question 1

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Answer 1

Sudden respiratory failure due to fluid accumulation in the alveoli secondary to underlying inflammation/damage

Question 2

ARDS Treatment

Answer 2

1) Mechanical ventilation to get oxygen to lungs and organs

2) Treat underlying cause (infection, trauma, etc)

Question 3

Mild Asthma Attack Symptoms

Answer 3

Wheezing, chest tightness, and slight SOB

Question 4

Severe Asthma Attack Symptoms

Answer 4

Dyspnea, flaring nostrils, diminished wheezing, anxiety, cyanosis, and inability to speak

Question 5

Bronchiectasis

Answer 5

Irreversible weakening and dilation of bronchus due to chronic infections, CF, aspiration, and immune system impairment

Question 6

Signs and symptoms of Bronchiectasis

Answer 6

Consistent productive cough, hemoptysis, weight loss, anemia, crackles/wheezes, and loud breath sounds**

Question 7

Bronchitis

Answer 7

Inflammation of the bronchi characterized by hypertrophy of the mucous secreting glands, increased mucous secretions, insufficient oxygenation d/t mucous blockage

Question 8

Diagnosing chronic Bronchitis (A “Blue Bloater!”)

Answer 8

Productive cough for three months in at least 2 consecutive years

Question 9

Two primary conditions that make up COPD

Answer 9

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis

Question 10

COPD Progression

Answer 10

Progression leads to alveolar destruction => air trapping => total lung capacity with a significant increase in RV

Question 11

Cystic Fibrosis Etiology

Answer 11

Child inherits a mutation of the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator on chormosome 7 => production of super thick/sticky mucous that perpetuates life-threatening lung infections, obstructs the pancreas, and inhibits normal digestion/absorption of food

Question 12

Emphysema Manifestation (A “Pink Puffer”!)

Answer 12

Elastic fibers holding brionchioles open are destroyed so that they collapse with exhalation => increased air trapped in the lungs
Alveoli are destroyed and permanently overinflated

Question 13

Pulmonary Edema Etiology

Answer 13

Difficulty breathing resulting from fluid collecting within the alveoli
Most cases are caused by CHF => increased pressure in left atrium -> pulmonary veins/capillaries => fluid pushed through capillary walls into the alveoli
Can have a non-cardiac origin though

Question 14

Acute Pulmonary Edeme is a

Answer 14

Medical emergency!!

Question 15

Signs/symptoms of Pulmonary Edema

Answer 15

Extreme SOB, feeling of suffocating or drowning, cyanosis, wheezing/gasping, anxiety, coughing, frothy/blood-tinged sputum, rapid irregular pulse

Question 16

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Answer 16

Microscopic damage leading to scarring making the intersitiual tissue stiff/thick and the alveoli less flexible => difficulty breathing