Trachea
*Airway
• Carries air through the neck and upper chest
• Divides the left and right main bronchi
Alveoli
Type 1: gas exchange
Type 2: produce surfactant to reduce surface tension to allow inflation
Pleura
• Reduces friction during respirations via serous secretions
Diaphragm
Pulmonary Ventilation: Inhalation
• Expansion of chest cavity and lungs creates negative pressure in lungs which draws air in
Pulmonary Ventilation: Exhalation
Respiration/Diffusion
Transport/Perfusion
* CO2 returning to lungs from blood
Where is Breathing Controlled?
RESPIRATORY CENTERS in brainstem that use feed back from:
• Chemoreceptors
• Lung receptors
Chemoreceptors
• Detect changes in blood pH, O2, and CO2
• Respiratory centers increase/decrease ventilation in response
*Blood CO2 levels= PRIMARY STIMULUS for breathing
*Low blood CO2= secondary stimulus
Lung Receptors
• Sensitive to breathing patterns, lung expansion/compliance, airway resistance, respiratory irritants
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Function: Developmental: Adults
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Function: Environmental
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Function: Lifestyle
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Function: Smoking
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Function: Medications
Impaired Gas Exchange: URIs, Influenza, Pneumonia
• URIs: sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, mild fever, tearing, cough
• Influenza: fever/high fever, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, nasal inflammation/discharge, headache, exhaustion (upper respiratory)
• Pneumonia: dyspnea, discolored sputum, fever, chills, cough, elevated WBC, malaise, pleural pain (lower respiratory infection)
-Treatment: anti-pyretics, expectorants, rest, humidity, hydration
Impaired Gas Exchange: Structural Pulmonary Abnormalities
* Lungs cannot expand/inflate
Impaired Gas Exchange: Airway Inflammation and Obstruction
* Food, object, spasms, swollen tonsils/epiglottis
Impaired Gas Exchange: Alveolar-Capillary Membrane Disorders
* Pulmonary edema/fibrosis, ARDS
Impaired Gas Exchange: Pulmonary Embolus and Pulmonary Hypertension
*poor blood flow (pulmonary circulation)=impaired gas exchange
• Embolus: obstruction (clot, air, fat)
• Hypertension: ↑ pressure= ↑ workload–>right sided heart failure
Impaired Gas Exchange: CNS and Neuromuscular Abnormalities
*CNS problem–> messes with breathing–> impaired gas exchange
• Stroke, trauma
*NM problem–> messes with breathing/movement of muscles–> impaired gas exchange
• Stroke, trauma, spinal cord injury
Focused Assessment of Respiratory System: Cough
Focused Assessment of Respiratory System: Sputum Color