Airway study guide Flashcards
(22 cards)
Using the following terms, explain how air enters the lungs: Pharynx, trachea, bronchi, carina, bronchioles, alveoli
Air enters through the nose or mouth into the pharynx. It proceeds down through the trachea (also known as the windpipe), to the left and right bronchi. This split is known as the carina. Think of the bronchi as the large branches of a tree and the bronchioles as the small branches. The bronchioles come off the bronchi and then air goes into alveoli. This is where gas exchange will occur.
Use the following terms, explain how oxygen enters the blood steam and how carbon dioxide leaves the body: Alveoli, capillaries, oxygen - rich blood, oxygen - poor blood, carbon dioxide.
Within the alveoli, oxygen-rich air inhaled through the lungs meets capillaries, where oxygen molecules are able to attach to red-blood cells and travel back to the heart. Carbon dioxide, within the oxygen-poor blood coming from the heart, is able to cross into the capillaries at the same time and then be exhaled from the body through normal exhalation.
Using the following terms, describe how we breathe: inhalation, diaphragm, intercostal muscles, negative / positive pressure, exhalation.
During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts (moves downward) and the intercostal muscles contract (expands rib cage up and out). This causes the thoracic cavity to expand, creating a negative pressure, which results in air rushing in. During exhalation, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, which creates a positive pressure in the thoracic cavity, resulting in air being expelled
Is exhalation an active or passive process?
Passive. Unlike inhalation, there normally is no muscle contraction to exhale air.
What drive is responsible for breathing control? What is the backup system?
The Carbon Dioxide Drive is our body’s primary mechanism for breathing control. Increased CO2 levels will stimulate the body to increase the respiratory rate.
As a backup, the Hypoxic Drive will stimulate breathing when O2 levels are sensed.
What is the role of surfactant within the lungs?
Think of surfactant as a lubricant in your lungs. Surfactant reduces surface tension inside of the alveoli. By doing this, gas exchange can take place because the presence of surfactant in the alveoli keeps them open.
What is the normal rate for breathing in Adults?
Adults - 12 to 20 bpm
What is the normal rate for breathing in children?
Children - 15 to 30 bpm
What is the normal rate for breathing in infant?
Infant - 25 - 50 bpm
What are the four causes of an airway obstruction?
1) The tongue (most common)
2) Edema (swelling)
3) Fluid (vomitus, blood, mucous)
4) Foreign bodies (anything put into the mouth)
What does a pulse oximeter measure?
The pulse oximeter measure the pulse rate and the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin within arterial blood.
What are 3 possible causes of getting an incorrect reading?
Three possible causes of false readings are: nail polish, cold extremities, carbon monoxide poisoning.
Describe the two methods for opening the airway of an unconscious patient. When would you use one over the other?
The head tilt-chin lift is the preferred method to open an airway. It is performed by tilting the forehead back, while simultaneously lifting the chin.
However, if a cervical spine injury is suspected, the Jaw-thrust maneuver should be used. It’s performed by physically pushing the angle of the lower jaw (mandible) up
How do-you correctly size an OPA?
Measure from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe
How do you correctly size and NPA?
Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe
What are the steps to suctioning an adult patient?
- Prepare equipment
- Test equipment
- Insert suction catheter into oropharynx only as far as you can see
- Apply suction while withdrawing the catheter
- Suction for no more than 10-15 seconds
- Rinse the suction catheter after use
What is the purpose of a regulator on an oxygen bottle?
The pressure regulator on an oxygen bottle is responsible for taking the high pressure within the bottle down to a more manageable and controllable pressure. For example, for use with a nasal cannula.
When a patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and is having trouble breathing, what is going on in their body?
COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow due to collapsed alveoli, mucous, or narrowed passages within the lungs. When they take a breath, air is “trapped”, preventing the patient from completely exhaling.
What is the difference between bronchitis and emphysema?
Chronic bronchitis - inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. The body responds by decreasing ventilation and increasing cardiac output. The patient is commonly known as a “blue bloater” due to cyanosis and edema.
Emphysema - most often the cause of cigarette smoking, the alveoli at the end of the bronchioles are damaged. This results in less area for gas exchange to occur, which the body responds to by increasing ventilation and decreasing cardiac output. These patients are commonly referred to as “pink puffers”.
Pneumonia is an infection with the lungs. What causes shortness of breath in a patient with pneumonia and how is it different than emphysema?
Pneumonia is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection within the lungs. This produces an inflammatory response that causes fluid buildup in the alveoli, and prevents oxygen from efficiently diffusing to the blood.
With emphysema, the alveoli are collapsed and damaged. This is a chronic condition while pneumonia can occur rapidly, but both have very similar signs and symptoms.
During an asthma attack, what’s happening within the body?
Caused by genetic or environmental factors (i.e. dust, pollution, cigarette smoke), the bronchi and bronchioles become inflamed, causing bronchospasm and increased mucous. This results in the patient coughing, wheezing, and experiencing shortness of breath.
What is a pulmonary embolism, where does it commonly originate from, and what are the signs and symptoms?
A PE is a blockage of one or more pulmonary arteries from a blood clot or other obstruction.
Most often, a sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, tachypnea (rapid breathing), and cough will be seen. Asking about the patient’s history might reveal a recent surgery, pregnancy, or extended bed rest. DVTs (deep vein thromboses) becoming dislodged and traveling to the lungs are the most common cause.
