KARCH: CH. 53 - Intro to the Respiratory System

Question 1

_____: a disorder involving recurrent episodes of bronchospasm - leading to narrowed or obstructed airways.

Answer 1

Asthma

Question 2

_____: the collapsed once-expanded alveoli, d/t outside pressure against the alveoli (ie. pulmonary tumor).

Answer 2

Atelectasis

Question 3

_____: a chronic condition that occurs over time; Results from chronic bronchitis or recurrent/severe asthma attacks. Leads to loss of protective/defense respiratory mechanisms d/t prolonged irritation or damage.

Answer 3

COPD

Question 4

_____: a viral infection of the URT (various viruses). It causes the release of histamine & prostaglandins and inflammatory response.

Answer 4

Common cold

Question 5

_____: a hereditary disease - accumulation of copious amounts of very thick secretions in the lungs, which will eventually cause airway obstruction & lung damage.

Answer 5

Cystic fibrosis

Question 6

_____: the vocal cords and epiglottis, which closed during swallowing to protect the LRT from foreign particles.

Answer 6

Larynx

Question 7

_____: lung inflammation caused by a bacterial or viral infection or by aspiration of foreign substances into the LRT.

Answer 7

Pneumonia

Question 8

_____: the lungs bronchi & alveoli; the area where gas exchange occurs (the respiratory airways).

Answer 8

Lower respiratory tract (LRT)

Question 9

_____: air in the pleural space exerting high pressure against alveoli, or pleural effusion.

Answer 9

Pneumothorax

Question 10

_____: a disorder frequently found in premature neonates whose lungs have not had time to mature and lack sufficient surfactant to maintain open Airways to allow for respiration.

Answer 10

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Question 11

_____: Inflammation of the nasal cavity, commonly called hay fever; Caused by a reaction to a specific antigen.

Answer 11

Seasonal rhinitis

Question 12

_____: inflammation of the epithelial lining of the sinus cavities.

Answer 12

Sinusitis

Question 13

_____: a lipoprotein that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, allowing them to stay open to allow gas exchange.

Answer 13

Surfactant

Question 14

_____: the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and trachea – the conducting airways where no gas exchange occurs.

Answer 14

Upper respiratory tract (URT)

Question 15

The respiratory system has 2 parts:

Answer 15

Upper respiratory tract (URT) - which includes: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea (no gas exchange).

Lower respiratory tract (LRT) - which includes: bronchial tree, and alveoli (gas exchange in alveoli).

Question 16

What keeps foreign substances from entering the LRT?

Answer 16

Nasal hair
Mucus-producing goblet cells
Cilia
Superficial blood supply of the URT
Cough & sneeze reflexes

Question 17

What cells produce surfactant?

Answer 17

Type 2 cells of the alveoli

Question 18

What region of the brain controls respiration?

What does respiration depend on?

Answer 18

Medulla (CNS)

It depends on a balance between SNS and PNS and a functioning muscular system.

Question 19

List the functions of Type II. cells in the alveoli.

Answer 19

Produce surfactant
Metabolic function - Convert angiotensin I. into II.
Degradation of serotonin.
Metabolize various hormones.

Question 20

_____: a bacterial or viral infection of the pharynx & larynx; causes uncomfortable respiratory symptoms or inflammation along with fever, muscle aches, and malaise.

Answer 20

Pharyngitis & Laryngitis

Question 21

_____: bacteria, virus, or foreign material infect the inner layer of the bronchi; causing immediate inflammatory reaction at the site of infection; resulting in swelling, increased blood flow, and changes capillary permeability, leading to protein in the area.
May have narrowed airways - esp. serious in ppl w. obstructed or narrowed airflow conditions already.

Answer 21

Acute bronchitis

Question 22

_____: inflammation of the bronchi that does NOT clear.

Answer 22

Chronic bronchitis

Question 23

Obstructive disorders include: (3)

Answer 23

COPD
CF
RDS

Question 24

Functions of the respiratory system: (3)

Answer 24

Brings O2 into the body
Allows gas exchange
Expels CO2 & other waste products

Question 25

Inflammation of the URT is seen in many disorders, including: (5)

Answer 25

Common cold
Seasonal rhinitis
Sinusitis
Pharyngitis & Laryngitis

Question 26

Inflammation of the LRT can result in :

Answer 26

Serious disorders that interfere w/ gas exchange, including Bronchitis & Pneumonia.

Question 27

The nurse emphasizes the need to take sinusitis very seriously because…

Answer 27

If left untreated, microorganisms can travel to brain tissue.

Question 28

Diffusion of CO2 from tissues into capillary blood occurs when…

Answer 28

The tissue concentration of CO2 is higher than the blood concentration of CO2.

Question 29

A patient who coughs is experiencing a reflex caused by…

Answer 29

Irritation to receptors in the trachea and conducting airway.

Question 30

What is most critical for respiration to occur?

Answer 30

Functioning inspiratory muscles

Question 31

Which of the following would a nurse expect to assess if a patient has inflammation of the upper respiratory tract?

a. Runny nose
b. Laryngitis
c. Sneezing
d. Hypoxia
e. Rales
f. Wheezing

Answer 31

Runny nose
Laryngitis
Sneezing

Question 32

For gas exchange to occur in the lungs, oxygen must pass through which of the following: (list in order)

Answer 32

• The conducting airways
• The pleural fluid
• The interstitial alveolar wall
• The capillary basement membrane
• The interstitial space

Question 33

Select all that apply.
The nose performs which of the following functions in the respiratory system.

a. Serves as a passageway for air movement
b. Warms and humidifies the air
c. Cleanses the air using hair fibers
d. Stimulates surfactant release from the alveoli
e. Initiates the cough reflex
f. Initiates the sneeze reflex

Answer 33

• Initiates the sneeze reflex
• Serves as a passageway for air movement
• Warms and humidifies the air
• Cleanses the air using hair fibers