Summary
Summary NURS 2115 Exam 2 Study Guide
- Course
- NURS 2115
- Institution
- Albany State University
This is a comprehensive and detailed study guide on critical care: respiratory for exam 2. *Essential Study Material!!
[Show more]
Content preview
CRITICAL CARE: RESPIRATORYEXAM TWO STUDY GUIDE
MECHANICS OF VENTILATION
Ventilation is the movement of air in and out of the airway (alveoli).
Ventilation requires movement of the walls of the thoracic cage and of its
floor, the diaphragm.
When the chest capacity increases-----air enters the trachea-----bronchi-----
bronchioles-----alveoli-----
then inflates the lungs.
When the chest and diaphragm return to their previous position -----the lungs
recoil and force air out of the bronchi and trachea.
Inspiration occurs in the first 1/3 of the respiratory cycle-----requires energy
Expiration occurs in the latter two thirds of the respiratory cycle-----require
very little energy (passive)
Air Pressure Variances are a part of the mechanics of ventilation. Air flows
from a region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure.
Air Resistance
Resistance is determined by the radius or size of the airway through which
the air is flowing as well as lung volume and airflow velocity. Any process
that affects the bronchioles diameter or width affects airway resistance. With
increased resistance, greater than normal respiratory effort is required to
achieve normal levels of ventilation.
MECHANICS OF DIFFUSION
Pulmonary Diffusion is the process of which oxygen and carbon dioxide are
exchanged from areas of higher concentrations to areas of lower
concentration at the air-blood interface. The alveolar-capillary membrane is
ideal for diffusion because of its thinness and large surface area. Oxygen and
carbon dioxide travel across the alveolar capillary membrane without
difficulty because of the difference in gas concentration in the alveoli and
capillaries.
, Pulmonary Perfusion is the actual blood flow through the pulmonary
vasculature. Perfusion is the exchange of o2 and CO2 between the RBCs and
the body tissues. It is influenced by alveolar pressure. The pulmonary
capillaries are sandwiched between adjacent alveoli.
If alveoli pressure is high-----capillaries are squeezed.
Pulmonary artery pressure, gravity and alveolar pressure determine the
patterns of perfusion. In lung disease these factors vary, and the perfusion of
the lung may become abnormal.
VENTILATION-PERFUSION IMBALANCES
Adequate gas exchange depends on an adequate ventilation-perfusion (V/Q)
ratio. In different areas of the lung the ratio varies.
Airway blockage, local changes in compliance(elasticity), and gravity
may alter ventilation.
Pulmonary artery pressure, alveolar pressure or gravity may alter
perfusion.
V/Q imbalances causes shunting of blood, resulting in hypoxia
Shunting of blood id the main cause of hypoxia after abdominal or
thoracic surgery. Also, in must types of respiratory failure.
When the shunting of blood exceeds 20% severe hypoxia develops.
DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS:
COMPREHENSIVE RESPIRATORY H & P ASSESSMENT
The health history initially focuses on the patients’ presenting problems and
associated symptoms.
Onset, location, duration, character, aggravating, alleviating factors,
radiation (if relevant) and timing of the presenting problem.
How do these factors impact the patients ADL’s, work and family
activities and quality of life?
The nurse must also explore non-pulmonary disease when evaluating
symptoms.
The physical examination includes the patient’s appearance (skin color,
clubbing of fingernails), inspection of the upper and lower respiratory airway
structures. Also, the observation of the breathing pattern and rate.
PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST (PFT’S)
Determine lung function and breathing difficulties.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller anyiamgeorge19. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $12.09. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
79650 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now