Term
| Basic Function of Respiratory System |
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Definition
| O2 / CO2 exchange – oxygenation of blood – regulation of blood ph |
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Term
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Definition
| Upper Airway, Lower Airway, Alveoli, Chest Wall/Diaphragm, Nervous System Drive |
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Term
| Upper Airway components and requirements for normal function |
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Definition
mouth, nose, throat
Open upper airway |
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Term
| Lower Airway components and requirements for normal function |
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Definition
trachea (large tubes), bronchi (smaller tubes), and bronchioles (smallest tubes)
Open lower airway |
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Term
| Alveoli components and requirements for normal function |
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Definition
small sacs in lungs where the O2 / CO2 exchange places
Alveoli with membrane exposed to air |
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Term
| Chest Wall/Diaphragm components and requirements for normal function |
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Definition
similar to a bellows – forces air in and out
Functioning "bellows" mechanism |
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Term
| Nervous System Drive components and requirements for normal function |
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Definition
Regulates rate and depth of respiration
Intact nervous system |
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Term
| Respiratory System Problems |
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Definition
| Distress, Failure, Arrest |
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Term
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Definition
| Difficulty breathing, speaks in short sentences, A on AVPU, anxious |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Position, Reassurance, Oxygen, Ventilation |
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Term
| Upper Airway Obstruction Causes |
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Definition
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Term
| Upper Airway Obstruction Assessment |
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Definition
| No air in/out. For partial obstruction: swallowing, talking problems; drooling; noisy/difficult breathing; stridor |
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Term
| Upper Airway Obstruction Treatment |
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Definition
Remove obstruction
Encourage coughing
Monitor closely
Check skin color
changes in LOR
worsening of respiratory distress
Is patient getting enough air to support life? |
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Term
| Lower Airway Constriction Causes |
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Definition
| Spasm, swelling, or accumulation of mucus or pus – asthma, bronchitis, anaphylaxis |
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Term
| Lower Airway Constriction Assessment |
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Definition
| Expiration is often prolonged w/ wheezing or gurgling, coughing, history of respiratory illness |
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Term
| Lower Airway Constriction Treatment |
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Definition
| PROV, specific Tx for cause (bronchiodilators, antibiotics, evacuation) |
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Term
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Definition
| Capillary leakage caused by too much pressure in circulatory system (congestive heart failure, smoke inhalation, altitude); drowning; lung contusion or laceration; inflammation from infection; irritation from allergies |
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Term
| Pulmonary Edema Assessment |
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Definition
| gurgling, rales, foaming at mouth, pus or blood-tinged sputum, shortness of breath, shock s/s |
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Term
| Pulmonary Edema Treatment |
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Definition
| PROV (ventilation may force alveolar fluid into blood stream & increase lung surface), specific Tx for cause (antibiotics, diuretics, steroids, evacuation to lower elevation, nifedipine) |
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Term
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Definition
| Blunt trauma, penetrating injury (Lung contusion, UNstable chest wall, Hemothorax and Pneumothorax) |
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Term
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Definition
| welling in lung tissue following an injury leading to accumulation of fluid in alveoli |
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Term
| Unstable chest wall (“flail chest”) |
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Definition
| wall collapses, causing failure of “bellows” function |
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Term
| Hemothorax and pneumothorax |
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Definition
| blood and air in chest cavity |
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Term
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Definition
| MOI; bruising; deformity; crepitus; bloody sputum; tracheal deviation |
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Term
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Definition
| PROV, specific Tx for cause (plastic coverings, position to stabilize flail chest or pool blood away from uninjured side, etc.) |
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Term
| Decreased Nervous System Drive Causes |
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Definition
| Toxins, drugs/alcohol, HACE, Trauma |
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Term
| Decreased Nervous System Drive Assessment |
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Definition
| Slow or irregular breathing, decreased MS/LOR |
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Term
| Decreased Nervous System Drive Treatment |
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Definition
| Basic Life Support (BLS), PROV, correct nervous system problem if possible |
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Term
| Temporary Measures to stabilize shock victims |
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Definition
1. Control bleeding (direct pressure), stabilize fractures
2. Monitor ABC’s: open and maintain airway, perform CPR if necessary
3. Maintain temperature: insulate, dry, protect from wind
4. Elevate legs 8-10 inches to aid blood return to upper body
5. Consider fluids: plain water if not imminent surgery (ie within 6 hours)
6. Oxygen in available |
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Term
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Definition
Temp,
BP- RRQ
Pulse- RRQ
Respiratory Rate- RRQ
Pupils- PERRL
Skin- Color, temp, moisture
MS/LOR- AVPU |
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