NSB103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Bronchiole, Airway Obstruction, Shortness Of Breath
Week 6: Respiratory Assessment
Respiratory System
- Purpose: to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood which then supports cellular
function
- Function: supply oxygen, exhale carbon dioxide, gas exchange
Anatomy
- Upper Respiratory Tract:
o Nose
o Mouth
o Throat (Pharynx)
o Larynx
- Lower Respiratory Tract:
o Trachea
o Thorax
o Ribs
o Lungs – Right lung has 3 lobes; Left lung has 2 lobes (smaller because of heart
position)
▪ Bronchi
▪ Bronchioles
▪ Alveoli
▪ Pleurae
Respiratory Pathway:
- Nose -> Pharynx -> Larynx -> Trachea -> Main Bronchi -> Left and right main bronchi -> Lobar
bronchi -> Segmental bronchi -> Terminal bronchioles -> respiratory bronchioles -> Alveolar
ducts -> Alveoli sacs -> alveoli
Airway Complications
- Dyspnoea
o Airway obstruction
o Gas exchange
o Cardiac failure (reduced blood flow)
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o Reduce haemoglobin (reduced RBC count)
- Cough (infection, obstruction, inflammation)
o Dry and hacking
o Moist and productive
o Painful
- Sputum
o Clear
o Coloured (yellow/green/rust/blood stained)
- Chest pain
o Pleuritis
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
o Heartburn
o Frequent hiccups
o Chronic cough
Focused Health Assessment of Respiratory System
- General survey (appearance)
- Subjective data (Health history)
- Assessment of airway entry (rapid Primary survey: A, B)
- Subjective and Objective data
- Vital signs (Respirations)
- Oxygen saturation (O2 sats)
Vital Signs
- Breathing is measured per minute – one respiratory cycle is one inhalation and one
expiration (between 12-20)
- Look out for symmetry, audibility, patient position, mode of breathing
- Oxygen Saturation: normal is about 95%, pulse oximeter measures oxygen and goes on
fingers, toes, ears
Diagnosis
- Eupnoea: 12–20 breaths per minute
find more resources at oneclass.com
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Document Summary
Purpose: to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood which then supports cellular function. Function: supply oxygen, exhale carbon dioxide, gas exchange. Upper respiratory tract: nose, mouth, throat (pharynx, larynx. Lower respiratory tract: trachea, thorax, ribs, lungs right lung has 3 lobes; left lung has 2 lobes (smaller because of heart position, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleurae. Nose -> pharynx -> larynx -> trachea -> main bronchi -> left and right main bronchi -> lobar bronchi -> segmental bronchi -> terminal bronchioles -> respiratory bronchioles -> alveolar ducts -> alveoli sacs -> alveoli. Dyspnoea: airway obstruction, gas exchange, cardiac failure (reduced blood flow, reduce haemoglobin (reduced rbc count) Cough (infection, obstruction, inflammation: dry and hacking, moist and productive, painful. Gastrointestinal symptoms: heartburn, frequent hiccups, chronic cough. Assessment of airway entry (rapid primary survey: a, b) Breathing is measured per minute one respiratory cycle is one inhalation and one expiration (between 12-20) Look out for symmetry, audibility, patient position, mode of breathing.
