Respiratory System Flashcards
(45 cards)
Define hypercapnia
When the stimulus to breathe is dictated by low CO2 levels rather than low O2 levels.
Parietal pleura
Lines the inside of the thoracic cavity.
Visceral pleura
Covers the lungs (pulmonary surfaces)
What is a thoracentesis?
Removal of air or fluid from the pleural space via transthoracic aspiration.
Steps for respiratory suctioning
- Place patient in an upright position
- Hyperoxygenate the patient
- Insert the catheter with the suction on
- Apply suction intermittently while rotating and withdrawing the catheter.
- Hyperoxygenate the patient
Arterial Blood Gas Values
pH - 7.35-7.45 (Acid-base)
PCO2 - 35-4 (Respiratory)
HCO3 - 22-27 (Metabolic)
Flail Chest
Caused by blunt trauma (often breaking several ribs) which results in separation of ribs from others resulting in paradoxical respirations (part of the chest wall moves the opposite direction on inspiration and expiration.
Acute respiratory failure
Insufficient oxygen transported to blood or insufficient carbon dioxide removed in the lungs.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Respiratory failure resulting in fluid buildup in the lungs. Usually caused by another condition (ie. sepsis, fluid overload, shock, trauma, burns, etc.)
Signs and symptoms of COPD
- Barrel chest
- Use of accessory muscles
- Prolongs expiration
- ABG levels indicate respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Respiratory illness cause by SARS virus. Transmitted via droplet and direct contact.
Pneumonia
Infection of the pulmonary tissue causing inflammation and edema in the lungs.
Empyema
Collection of puss in the pleural cavity
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the visceral and parietal pleural membranes caused by pulmonary infarction or pneumonia. Membranes rubbing together causes chest pain.
Histoplasmosis
Pulmonary fungal infection caused by spores.
Sarcoidosis
Growth of inflammatory cells causing granulomas in the lungs.
Tuberculosis
Highly communicable lung disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. Transmitted airborne via droplets.
Tuberculosis care precautions
- Particle respirator
- Gown
- Gloves
- Patient wears mask if leaving room
Treatment for tuberculosis
Medication administered. Patient no longer infectious after 2-3 weeks of treatment.
Vital capacity
Maximum amount of air expelled from lungs after maximum inspiration.
Flail chest
Segment of the rib cage breaks and becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall (usually due to trauma). Normally there are multiple rib fractures. This causes paradoxical respirations of the chest.
Early manifestation of tuberculosis
A cough with mucoid sputum
Late manifestations of tuberculosis
Dyspnea, chest pain, bloody sputum.
Someone with TB may return to work after….
3 negative sputum cultures