Antomical Dead Space and Frc

FEV 1 (%) will decrease as the airway radius is decreased. FEV 1 (%) is

Nitrogen oxide, when exposed over a long duration of time, can decrease lung function and also increase the chance of getting bronchitis, cough or phlegm, which is more likely to come into

1. What can you infer about the surface area and/or diffusion distance for gas exchange in Sam’s lungs?

Both rapid, shallow breathing patterns and hypoventilation effect gas exchange. Arterial blood gases will be monitored and changes discussed with provider. Alteration in PaCO2 and PaO2 levels are signs of respiratory failure. Patient’s body position will be properly aligned for optimum respiratory excursion, this promotes lung expansion and improved air exchange. Patient will be suctioned as needed to clear secretions and maintain patent airways. The expected outcome is that the patient’s airway and gas exchange will be maintained as evidence by normal arterial blood gases (Herdman,

The presence of fluid in the alveolar space could potentially cause the lung capacity to be effected as well.

The Ventilatory threshold was reached at 5 minutes or stage 3 for patient 92 C. The ventilatory threshold is important because it indicates the point at which the blood lactate acid increases non-linearly. It indicates that there is an increase in the lactate acid level in the blood as well as the excess carbon dioxide (Kenny et al., 2015). The increase in carbon dioxide will stimulate chemoreceptors to increase ventilation. The ventilatory threshold is related to the anaerobic threshold which refers to the increase in carbon dioxide and indicates that the body has shifted towards anaerobic metabolism (Kenny et al., 2015).

-Ask yourself- what is altered ventilation and diffusion? Then compare and see what the differences are. Why is this important in relation to Mr Hunter’s pneumonia?

The respiratory system consists of the lungs and air passages. The system functions to bring in air and extract oxygen and remove carbon dioxide*. The body can hold 4 to 6 minutes worth of oxygen so the respiratory system must work at all times to prevent death. There are multiple parts to the respiratory system for example, the nose has nostrils or nares. It contains a nasal septum which divides the nose into hollow spaces called nasal cavities. The nose filters the air with the mucus produced. Also located in the nose are the olfactory receptors, and nasolacrimal ducts. The sinuses which are resonating chambers of cavities located in the skull. A larger part of the respiratory system is the pharynx also known as the throat. It is located directly behind the nasal area, divided into three parts; nasopharynx(upper portion), Oropharynx(middle portion), Laryngopharynx (lower portion). The larynx also known as the “voice box” located between the trachea and pharynx. Trachea also known as the windpipe extends from the larynx to the center of the chest; its functions to carry air between the pharynx and bronchi. The bronchi function to carry air to the lungs. The right bronchus is more vertical, shorter, and wider compared to the left.Bronchi continue to branch off into smaller bronchioles, the smallest is called terminal bronchioles which deliver air to the alveoli. 500 million alveoli, which have a rich network of capillaries needed for exchange of oxygen and CO2( taken place

This "dead space" of air needs to stay in your lungs constantly; otherwise the lung will completely deflate. If the lung has every bit of air sucked out of it, it will collapse and need to be re-inflated.

Small air sacks called alveoli are at the tips of the bronchioles. When air reaches them, the oxygen concentration is high, which causes diffusion into red blood cells travelling through pulmonary capillaries (7). The red blood cells then distribute the new oxygen to the rest of the body. When they reach the alveoli again, they exchange carbon dioxide (a form of cell waste) for new oxygen, and repeat the process. The carbon dioxide is moved through the bronchioles, bronchi, and trachea in the form of exhalation.

Capnography provides a quantitative reading and a graphic waveform that measures the patient’s exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2). The byproduct of metabolism in the human body is carbon dioxide; it is diffused into the blood and transported to the lungs. The alveoli in the lungs eliminate it from the body. This process provides the healthcare provider with valuable information on the health status of the individual. Capnography provides quick and accurate information on the ventilator, circulatory and metabolic function of the patient in real-time (Brandt, 2010).

For instance, the majority of nurses were taught to measure the tube, check for gastric aspirate, and listen for air for proper placement. However, evidence-based practice confirms this is not the most reliable method for verifying correct placement. Radiographic confirmation with an X-ray is the most accurate method for verification of nasogastric tube placement. X-ray visualizes an entire length of tube and ensures the tube is in the desired position. It is recommended to obtain X-ray confirmation before starting feeding or medication administration. Although widely used in practice, supporting evidence shows the auscultatory method is not effective for distinguishing between respiratory and gastrointestinal placement, such as trachea, esophagus, or stomach. An alternate research-based method for checking tube placement is measuring the pH. Gastric secretions have a pH five or less. Respiratory and small-bowel secretions usually have a pH of six or greater. Since trying to differentiate between gastric and respiratory secretions visually is confusing, assessing an aspirate appearance for color is no longer a standard. Monitoring signs of respiratory distress during nasogastric tube insertion is important. If a nasogastric tube accidently positioned in the airway, signs of respiratory distress, such as coughing, choking, or dyspnea are noticed. In this case, a nasogastric tube should be removed and a new insertion attempted (Metheny,

There is also a large increase in airway resistance and a collapse of the lower airways during expiration and a decrease in the elastic recoil of the

This refers to the process of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide moving between the lungs and blood. Diffusion occurs when molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. This occurs during gaseous exchange as the blood in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli has a lower oxygen concentration of Oxygen than the air in the alveoli which has just been inhaled. Both alveoli and capillaries have walls which are only one cell thick and allow gases to diffuse across them. The same happens with Carbon Dioxide. The blood in the surrounding capillaries has a higher concentration of CO2 than the inspired air due to it being a waste product of energy production. Therefore CO2 diffuses the other way, from the capillaries, into the alveoli where it can then be

Spirometry is the most popular lung function test. The patient performs a maximal inhalation and then forcefully exhales as quickly and as long as they are able. The spirometer measures the volume of the air exhaled by patients. These measurements are taken at two intervals. The first measurement is the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), records the volume of air exhaled after one second. The second measurement is taken at the point where the patient has fully exhaled the volume of inhaled air; this measurement is the forced vital capacity (FVC) (Harpreet Ranu et al.,