Physiological Tests- Respiratory System Flashcards
(42 cards)
What are the 4 diseases of the respiratory system?
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Lung cancer
How does asthma affect the lungs?
Narrowed and inflamed bronchi and bronchioles
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath intermittently
What are the asthma triggers?
Smoking, exercise, dust. Allergies, stress
What are the 2 key factors of asthma?
- Often worse at night and early morning
- In response to a trigger
How does bronchitis affect the lungs?
Inflamed and narrowed bronchi
What are the symptoms of bronchitis?
Shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent cough
How does emphysema affect the lungs?
Walls of alveoli break down
What are the symptoms of emphysema?
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing in and out
What happens in sever cases of emphysema?
Patients need to breathe oxygen through a mask
How does lung cancer affect the lungs?
Tumour in lungs
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
Coughing up blood, persistent cough, weight loss
What 3 lung diseases are strongly linked to smoking?
Bronchitis, emphysema and lung cancer
What increases the risk of lung diseases?
Infections and atmospheric pollution
What are the 2 diseases that are part of COPD?
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
What is chronic bronchitis?
Inflammation and excess mucus
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Why do people with emphysema struggle to breathe out?
Alveoli loses elasticity so less air is being pushed out
What are the 2 types of tests?
Peak flow meter and spirometry
What is the peak flow method?
- Set meter to 0
- Deep breath in
- Close mouth around mouthpiece
- Exhale as fast and forcefully as possible in a single blow
- Repeat 2 more times and record the highest value
What does the peak flow meter measure?
Peak expiratory flow rate - flow of air achieved when breathing out as hard as you can
What are the limitations in spirometers and peak flow?
- Patient not blowing as hard as they can
- Patient not putting their lips right around the mouthpiece
What are the uses for a peak flow?
Used to measure relative change
1. Before and after medication
2. Before and after asthma trigger
How can you tell the difference between asthma and COPD using peak flow?
Asthma- peak expiratory flow will reduce in response to a trigger and recover with medication
COPD- peak expiratory flow will always be low
