HLT 3400 Lecture 6: Respiratory A&P
Document Summary
The role of the respiratory system is to maintain homeostasis of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Clients with respiratory disorders are often anxious and fearful they may die. Nurses must be involved in preventing and providing care for these clients. These chapters will discuss the medications used to correct, prevent, or maintain respiratory function. Thoracic cage: provides protection a. posterior: 12 ribs. Inhalation: diaphragm (lies between thorax and abdomen, accessory muscles (scalene, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major and trapezius muscles) Exhalation: passive act with relaxed diaphragm, internal intercostals and abdominal muscles caused by increased levels of ventilation. Phrenic nerve (controls respiratory muscles): loss of function with: high spinal cord injury (c3-4, nutritional depletion, muscle wasting c. postoperative cardiac surgery (hypothermic condition, crushing trauma. Intrapulmonary pressure must be lower than atmosphere pressure for air to move into lungs. Inspiration: diaphragm flattens, chest expands; intrathroacic pressure < atmospheric pressure. Expiration: diaphragm moves upward, chest moves inward; intrathroacic pressure.
