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Flashcards in The Respiratory System Deck (36)
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1
Q

The Lungs 4 Functions

A

To extract O2 from the atmosphere and transfer it to the bloodstream in the lungs.
To excrete water vapour and CO2.
To maintain the normal acid-base balance of the blood.
To ventilate the lungs.

2
Q

the exchange of gas occurs in 2 places

A

External respiration - in the lungs

Internal respiration - in the body tissues

3
Q

process of gaseous exchange is called

A

diffusion - Movement from a high to low concentration.

4
Q

External Respiration

A

the process of breathing where:
oxygen from inhaled air is absorbed into the blood via the capillaries of the lung.
CO2 is released from the blood into the lungs and is exhaled.

5
Q

Internal Respiration

A

blood and the circulatory system carries O2 to the body cells. O2 is given off for use by the cells and CO2 is absorbed by the blood which is carried to the lungs.

6
Q

2 respiratory movements

A

Inspiration - breathing in or inhalation

expiration - breathing out or exhalation

7
Q

components of inspired air

A
O2 = 20%
Nitrogen = 79%
inert gas = 1%
CO2 = 0.04%
Water Vapour (variable)
8
Q

components of expired air

A
O2 = 16%
Nitrogen = 79%
CO2 = 0.4% (100% increase)
Water Vapour (to saturation/100% increase)
9
Q

17 components of the respiratory system

A
Nose
Mouth
Soft Palate
Pharynx
Epiglottis
Larynx
Trachea
Carina
Parietal Pleura
Serous Fluid
Visceral Pleura
right/left bronchus
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveolar Ducts
Alveoli
Diaphragm
10
Q

Structure of the Lungs

A

2 Spongy, Cone shaped Organs.
Right has 3 lobes.
Left has 2 Lobes.

11
Q

The Pleura

A

is a serous membrane that surrounds each lung.

it has 2 layers: Parietal and Visceral

12
Q

normal breathing rate for an adult

A

16 to 24 BPM

13
Q

normal breathing rate for infants and children

A

24 to 40 BPM dependant on age. younger = faster

14
Q

factors that can Increase breathing rates

A

Exercise
Fever
Clinical Shock
Conditions affecting the lungs (pneumonia, bronchitis)

15
Q

factors that can Decrease breathing rates

A
Conditions which affect the brain (CVA, head injury)
Certain drugs (Heroin, Methadone, Barbiturates)
16
Q

Control of respiration - involuntary

A

rate & depth automatically controlled by the respiratory centre & various other receptors

17
Q

Control of respiration - voluntary

A

concious control of breathing as in holding breath

18
Q

Chemoreceptors

A

in the brain and aorta monitor levels of CO2 in the blood.

increase in CO2 = increase in breathing rate & depth

19
Q

Dsypnoea

A

difficulty breathing

20
Q

Apnoea

A

absence of breathing

21
Q

Hypoxia

A

lack of O2 supplied to the tissues

22
Q

Hypercarbia

A

too much CO2 in the blood

23
Q

Obstructive Airways Diseases

A

Bronchitis
Emphysema
Asthma

24
Q

Bronchitis - what is it?

A

inflammatory condition affecting the airways caused by viruses or bacteria.

usually a short lived infection

Common in young children and the elderly

25
Q

Bronchitis - signs and Symptoms

A
Tachycardia (fast HR)
Tachypnoea (fast breathing)
Dyspnoea (Diff Breath)
Cyanosis (blue bloater)
Reduced O2 saturation (SpO2)
BP normal or slightly raised
Productive cough
26
Q

Bronchitis - signs and Symptoms

A

Use of accessory muscles
Pupils may be dilated or slow to react
If hypoxia is severe LOC may be reduced
May be evidence of oedema (build up of fluid in tissue)
Auscultation (listening) usually reveals Rhonci ( coarse rattling) and wheezes

27
Q

Emphysema - what is it?

A

distension of the alveoli
&
destructive changes in their membranes

28
Q

Emphysema - signs and symptoms

A
usually thin
Tachycardia (fast HR)
Tachypnoea (fast breathing)
cardiac dysrhythmias (irregular heart beat)
Dyspnoea (diff breath)
skin colour usually normal (pink puffer)
use of accessory muscles
difficulty in exhaling
pursed lips on expiration
29
Q

Emphysema - signs and symptoms

A

BP usually elevated
Cyanosis may be evident in acute attack
patient will appear to have have abnormally large chest (barrel chested)
Wheezing and crackles may be heard on auscultation - mainly on inspiration
possible evidence of oedema

30
Q

Asthma - what is it?

A

A narrowing of the medium to smaller air passages due to muscle spasm.
Swelling and blockage by secretion of mucous from inflammatory cells.

31
Q

Asthma - signs and symptoms

A
Tachypnoea
Dyspnoea, respiratory distress, cyanosis
sitting up, leaning forward, anxious
use of accessory muscles
usually and expiratory wheeze
difficulty exhaling
low peak flow reading
32
Q

breathlessness/Dyspnoea

A

common symptom of respiratory disease including pneumonia, asthma and other COPDs
also common in non-respiratory conditions (cardiac failure, hypovolaemic shock)

33
Q

breathlessness/Dyspnoea - management

A

Primary survey, provide O2 as appropriate
Position patient for comfort (usually sitting upright)
Evaluate whether any time critical features are present
peak flow

34
Q

Hyperventilation - definition

A

A rate of ventilation higher than that required to maintain a normal level of plasma CO2

35
Q

Hyperventilation - management

A

maintain a calm approach and manner at all times.
reassure the patient and try to remove the source of the patients anxiety if this is believed to be the cause of hyperventilation.
coach the patients respirations whilst maintaining a calm environment.

36
Q

Hypoxic Drive

A

in patients with severe COPD the levels of CO2 in the blood is permanently raised.
They also have low levels of O2 in the blood (hypoxia) due to poor respiratory function.
As a result the respiratory centre in the brain utilises this hypoxia as the stimulus to breathe.