Flashcards in The Respiratory System Deck (36)
Loading flashcards...
1
The Lungs 4 Functions
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
the exchange of gas occurs in 2 places
External respiration - in the lungs
Internal respiration - in the body tissues
3
process of gaseous exchange is called
diffusion - Movement from a high to low concentration.
4
External Respiration
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
Internal Respiration
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
2 respiratory movements
Inspiration - breathing in or inhalation
expiration - breathing out or exhalation
7
components of inspired air
O2 = 20%
Nitrogen = 79%
inert gas = 1%
CO2 = 0.04%
Water Vapour (variable)
8
components of expired air
O2 = 16%
Nitrogen = 79%
CO2 = 0.4% (100% increase)
Water Vapour (to saturation/100% increase)
9
17 components of the respiratory system
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
Structure of the Lungs
2 Spongy, Cone shaped Organs.
Right has 3 lobes.
Left has 2 Lobes.
11
The Pleura
is a serous membrane that surrounds each lung.
it has 2 layers: Parietal and Visceral
12
normal breathing rate for an adult
16 to 24 BPM
13
normal breathing rate for infants and children
24 to 40 BPM dependant on age. younger = faster
14
factors that can Increase breathing rates
Exercise
Fever
Clinical Shock
Conditions affecting the lungs (pneumonia, bronchitis)
15
factors that can Decrease breathing rates
Conditions which affect the brain (CVA, head injury)
Certain drugs (Heroin, Methadone, Barbiturates)
16
Control of respiration - involuntary
rate & depth automatically controlled by the respiratory centre & various other receptors
17
Control of respiration - voluntary
concious control of breathing as in holding breath
18
Chemoreceptors
in the brain and aorta monitor levels of CO2 in the blood.
increase in CO2 = increase in breathing rate & depth
19
Dsypnoea
difficulty breathing
20
Apnoea
absence of breathing
21
Hypoxia
lack of O2 supplied to the tissues
22
Hypercarbia
too much CO2 in the blood
23
Obstructive Airways Diseases
Bronchitis
Emphysema
Asthma
24
Bronchitis - what is it?
inflammatory condition affecting the airways caused by viruses or bacteria.
usually a short lived infection
Common in young children and the elderly
25
Bronchitis - signs and Symptoms
Tachycardia (fast HR)
Tachypnoea (fast breathing)
Dyspnoea (Diff Breath)
Cyanosis (blue bloater)
Reduced O2 saturation (SpO2)
BP normal or slightly raised
Productive cough
26
Bronchitis - signs and Symptoms
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
Emphysema - what is it?
distension of the alveoli
&
destructive changes in their membranes
28
Emphysema - signs and symptoms
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
Emphysema - signs and symptoms
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
Asthma - what is it?
A narrowing of the medium to smaller air passages due to muscle spasm.
Swelling and blockage by secretion of mucous from inflammatory cells.
31
Asthma - signs and symptoms
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
breathlessness/Dyspnoea
common symptom of respiratory disease including pneumonia, asthma and other COPDs
also common in non-respiratory conditions (cardiac failure, hypovolaemic shock)
33
breathlessness/Dyspnoea - management
Primary survey, provide O2 as appropriate
Position patient for comfort (usually sitting upright)
Evaluate whether any time critical features are present
peak flow
34
Hyperventilation - definition
A rate of ventilation higher than that required to maintain a normal level of plasma CO2
35
Hyperventilation - management
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
