Unit 4 Flashcards
Consists of nasopharynx and oropharynx, which helps filter and moisturize air that is inhaled
Upper conducting airways
Begin at level of trachea and connects larynx to bronchi
Lower conducting airways
What does not occur in the conducting airways?
Gas exchange
Primary gas exchange units of lung
Alveoli
can also occur in bronchioles
The alveoli have two types of epithelial cells:
I- provides structure (elastin)
II- secretes surfactant
*also has alveolar macrophages to remove foreign material to lymph
These type of diseases/illnesses increase thickness of respiratory membranes, affecting diffusion of gases across the membrane
Fibrosis, interstitial edema, or pulmonary edema
This type of disease results in decrease in surface area of respiratory membrane, resulting in decreased alveolar gas exchange
Emphysema
The mechanical movement of gas (air) into and out of the lung
Ventilation
How to measure alveolar ventilation
ABG to assess PaCO2
Reduces surface tension by forming a monomolecular layer between the fluid lining the alveoli and air in the alveoli- contributes to functional residual capacity (FRC)
Surfactant
Measure of lung and chest wall distensibility (ease at which these structures can be stretched, determined by alveolar surface tension and elastic recoil of lung/chest wall)
Compliance
Increased compliance, lung/chest wall is abnormally easy to inflate and has lost elastic recoil
Emphysema (chronic overinflation of lungs)
Decreased compliance, lungs are stuff and difficult to inflate
PNA, edema, fibrosis, or adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Reduced oxygenation of cells in tissues
Hypoxia
Reduced oxygenation of arterial blood
Hypoxemia
Most common cause of hypoxemia
Abnormal V/Q (ventilation-perfusion) ratio
Blood passing through the pulmonary circulation to be oxygenated
Perfusion
Ratio of airflow into the lungs divided by the pulmonary blood flow
Ventilation-Perfusion ratio
Delivery of air to some alveoli is obstructed (mucus or alveoli collapse from atelectasis), reduced oxygenation of alveoli
Decreased/low V/Q
Alveoli ventilation is normal but capillary perfusion is compromised (pulmonary embolus or MI)
High V/Q
Two major patterns of pulmonary dysfunction
Obstructive and Restrictive
Increased resistance to airflow as a result of caliber reduction in conducting airways (worse with expiration)
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
3 most common forms of obstructive respiratory disorders
Asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis
COPD consists of which two pulmonary disorders?
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis