Respiratory System Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is the role of the lungs? +
The lungs remove CO2 from the body and replenish the body with fresh O2
How does air pass into the lungs (steps in passage of air)
- Air enters the nasal cavity, passes down the upper respiratory tract
- Air passes down the trachea
- Passes through the bronchi bilaterally
- Passes through the bronchioles towards the alveolar sacs
Where does gas exchange occur?
The alveoli sacs and capillaries cover the alveoli which is where gas exchange occurs.
Describe the process of gas exchange at the alveolar sites.
The pulmonary artery takes unoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. The blood is oxygenated by the O2 carried from the bronchioles. Blood is then brought to the heart via the pulmonary vein. CoO2 is exhaled.
What are the 5 adventitious lung sounds?
- Crackles
- Wheezes
- Rhonchi
- Stridor
- Pleural friction rub
What are the 4 key aspects to be considered when abnormal lung sounds are heard?
- Timing
- Pitch
- Description of the sound
- Locations
What are the two types of crackles?
Fine crackles and coarse crackles
Describe fine crackles (timing, pitch, location and description of sound)
- Timing: heard towards the end of inspiration
- Pitch: High-pitched sound
- Location: small airways
- Sound: pops and crackles
What conditions do fine crackles occur in?
-CHF
-Atelectasis
-Pneumonia
-Pulmonary fibrosis
Describe coarse crackles (timing, pitch, location and description of sound)
- Timing: heard towards the start of inspiration
- Pitch: Low pitched
- Sound: gurgling sound
- Location: large airways
What conditions do coarse crackles occur in?
- Heart failure
-Pneumonia
What causes fine crackles?
The alveolar sacs are fluid-filled or inflamed. Air has limited space to flow through, causing the air to push through the extra fluid to escape, causing the crackling sound.
What causes coarse crackles?
Occur from breathing in air into a partially blocked airway. The bronchi are filled with thick mucus and fluid.
Describe wheezes (timing, pitch, location and description of sound)
-Timing: Heard on exhalation
-Pitch: High pitched
-Sound: squeaky, whistling sound
- Location: throughout the lungs
What conditions do wheezes occur in?
-Asthma
-COPD
-Lung infections
What causes wheezes?
The airways have narrowed. Causing a whistling sound.
Describe rhonchi (timing, pitch, location and description of sound)
Timing: Heard on exhalation
Pitch: Loud and low pitch
Location: Large airways
Sound: Sounds like snoring, snorting and improves with cough and suctioning
What causes rhonchi?
Occurs when the air leaves the trachea and bronchus and hits a secretion (fluid or mucus)
What conditions can rhonchi occur in?
-Bronchitis
-Pneumonia
-COPD
Describe stridor (timing, pitch, location and description of sound)
-Timing: Occurs on inhalation
-Pitch: High pitched
-Locations: neck or laryngeal area
-Sound: High-pitched wheezes
What causes stridor?
Caused by the narrowing of the airways in the larynx and trachea, as a result of swelling or blockage.
What conditions can stridor occur?
Croup
Anaphylaxis
Object/obtsruction
Describe pleural friction rub (timing, pitch, location and description of sound)
-Timing: Occurs on inspiration
-Pitch: Low pitch
-Location: Pleuralayers
-Sound: Harsh rating sound
Pain during deep breaths
Describe a pneumonhorax
A pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleura space which causes negative pressure to accumulate within the space, and causes the lung to collapse over time.
