Exam #4 Flashcards
(102 cards)
Upper Resp System
- nose
- mouth
- pharynx
- epiglottis
- larynx (vocal chords)
- trachea
lower resp system
- bronchi
- bronchioles
- alveolar ducts
- alveoli
- lung lobes
alveoli and surfactant
- o2 and co2 exchange
- primary gas exchange site
- surfactant: lipoprotein that decreases surface pressure
blood supply to the lungs
1) pulmonary: provides lungs with blood that participates in gas exchange
2) bronchial: provides oxygen to the bronchi and other pulmonary tissues
chest wall
- ribs
- pleura
- parietal: lines chest cavity
- visceral: lines lungs
- space in between is called the intrapleural space: provides lubrication, facillitates expansion
- diaphragm: contraction decreases intrathoracic pressure allowing air to enter the lungs
physiology of respiration
- ventilation involves inspiration
- expiration is passive and depends on elastic recoil
- compliance: ease of lung expansion
- diffusion: movement of gases from the area of higher concentration to area of lower
- arterial blood gases measure oxygen saturation and acid-base balance
- pulse oximetry is read as SpO2: less accurate when spo2 is less than 70, hemoglobin variants and other factors can give an inaccurate reading
PaO2
- lung’s ability to oxygenate arterial blood = partial pressure oxygen
- PaO2 decreases with age and varies with distance above sea level
- for patients with impaired CO or hemodynamic instability, mixed venous blood gases obtained from a pulmonary artery catheter
control of respiration
- chemoreceptors respond to changes in paco2 and ph
- mechanical receptors respond to a variety of physiologic factors
respiratory defense mechanisms
- filtration of air
- mucociliary clearance system
- cough reflex
- reflex bronchoconstriction
- alveolar macrophages
resp gerontologic considerations
- structural changes:
- stiffening of chest wall
- decrease in elastic recoil and compliance (hinders exhalation)
- AP diameter increases (barrel chested)
- chest is barrel-shape, may need accessory muscles to breathe
- less tolerance for exertion leading to dyspnea
- defense mechanisms: less effective, less forceful cough, fewer cilia, higher risk of aspiration
- respiratory control: more gradual response to changes in PaO2 and PaCo2
- SOB changes gradyally and can lead to severe hypoxia
subjective resp assessment
- frequency of upper respiratory problems and seasonal effects
- meds
- cough - secretions, force, acute, chornic
- sputum: amount, color, consistency, odor
- wheezing
- travel
- smoking and tobacco products
- vaccination against influenza and pneumonia
- inhalers, demonstrate use
- weight loss (illness) and fluid intake (secretion thickness)
- ADLs, dyspnea
- sleep apnea signs: snoring, insomnia, daytime drowsiness, early am headaches
- night sweats
- neurologic symptoms
- pain with breathing
- anxiety: stress management
objective resp assessment
- some nasal deviation is normal
- nasal discharge
- small, mobile, nontender nodes (shotty) are normal; tender, hard or fixed are not
- begin auscultation on posterior especially for females - better info on back if pt tires
- AP diameter should be less than 1:2
- inspiration should be half as long as expiration
- skin color
- clubbing
- femitus
abnormal breath sounds
- adventitious sounds
- fine crackles
- coarse crackles
- rhonchi
- wheezes
- stridor
- pleural friction rub
resp lab and diagnostic studies
- labs
- arterial blood gases
- hemoglobin: O2
- hematocrit: RBC vs plasma ratio
- pulse ox
- sputum studies: induced (given something to make them cough) vs exporated (cough)
- TB skin test
- allergy testing
- pulmonary function tests - spirometer used during different activities to evaluate air flow
resp radiologic studies
- chest xray
- CT
- MRI
- ventilation perfusion VQ scan: identified areas of lungh not getting enough o2
- pulmonary angiogram: ask about idodine
- PET scan: radioisotope, benign vs. malignant lesions
resp diagnostic procedures
- mediastinoscopy: OR biopsy
- lung biopsy
- bronchoscopy
- thoracentesis: aspirate or drain fluid
bronchoscopy
- looks for tumors or abnormalitis
- NPO status prior to procedures
- blood tinged mucous is not abnormal
trachesostomy
- surgically created stoma in trachea
- care: changes ties and dressings when soiled
- check for skin integrity
rhinoplasty
- outpt procedure using regional anesthesia
- stop taking nsaids to reduce risk of bleeding
- internal nasal packing and or nasal septal splints may be removed by the surgeon the day after surgery
- external plastic splints are molded to the nose and removed 3-5 days after surgery
- keep head elevated to decrease nasal swelling
- will have edema and bruising for a short period before achieving the final cosmetic result
epitaxis (nosebleed)
- anterior bleeding usually stops spontaneously, posterior bledding may require tx
- keep the pt quiet and in a sitting position
- apply direct pressure by pinching the lower part of the nose for 10-15 minutes
- partially insert a gauze pad into the nostril
- if bleeding doesnt stop, will ned a vasoconstrictor, cauterization, or packing
- packing can alter respiratorys status and increase risk of aspiration in older adults
- packing is painful because of the pressure and increase risk of infection
- may leave packing in for days
- painful to remove, premedicate
- no vigorous nose blowing, strenuous actibity, lifting, stratining for 4-6 weeks
allergic rhinitis
- S/S: sneezing itchy eyes/nose, watery nasal discharge, nasal decongestion
- most important treatment is to identify and void triggers
- antihistamines (non-sedating) claratin, syrtex, need lots of fluids
- intranasal corticosteroids (rhinocort, flonase), decrease local inflammation w/o systemic effects, start 2-3 weeks before allergy season
- leukotriene receptor antagonists (singulair)
- allergy shots if nothing else works
acute viral rhinitis (common cold)
- S/S: sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, fever, malaise, headache
- rest
- increase fluids
- decongestant nasal sprays for no more than 3 days
- antipyretics and analgesics (tylenol)
- no abx unless complications (high fever, purulent nasal drainage, tender/swollen glands, sore/red throat, sputum changes, SOB, chest tightness) or it lasts longer than 7 days
concerns with common illnesses
- dyspnea, crackles - pulmonary complications
- symptoms lasting longer than 7 days - bacterial infection
- purulent, foul smelling nasal drainage - foreign body
- inadequate treatment of strep - rheumatic heart disease or glomerulonephritis
- high fever, muffled “hot potato” voice - peritonsillar absceses (life threatening airway obstruction)
tracheostomy
- indications: bypass an upper airway obstucton, facilitate removal of secretions, permit long term ventilation, permit oral intake and speech in pts who reuire long term mechanical ventilation
- Better than endotracheal tube: less risk of longer tem damage to airway, increased patient comfort, can eat with it b/c its lower in the airway, trach is more secure so mobility can be increased