Surgery

Question 1

What components of surgery can impact on the respiratory system? (6)

Answer 1

Anaesthetic
Incision
Pain
Dehydration
Supine Position 
Immobility

Question 2

What are the three types of anaesthetic and what are they used for?

Answer 2

General - sedative, amnesiac, paralysis & pain relief - for larger operations

Local - small superficial (,ay be in form of eye drops, ointment or injection)

Regional - usually for lower body surgery - e.g. spinal or epidural

Question 3

What anaesthetic requires most post-operative physiotherapy?

Answer 3

general

Question 4

What is the effect of inhaled anaesthetic on the respiratory system?

Answer 4

• Irritation of the bronchial mucosa
• Increased bronchial secretions
• Dehydrates the gel layer of MCE - due to bypassing the humidification process
• Inhibits ciliary movement

Question 5

What is the effect of on the respiratory system?

Answer 5

Immobilisation of the cilia

Sol layer becomes dehydrated due to systemic blood/fluid loss or dehydration from NBM

Production of thick, sticky secretions which are hard to expectorate

Question 6

What is the effect of pain on the respiratory system?

Answer 6

Patient has increased need to cough due to MCE dysfunction

Supression of cough due to pain & down want to damage their wound

Leads to risk of retained secretions