Podcast
Questions and Answers
What characterizes passive atelectasis?
What characterizes passive atelectasis?
Which of the following is NOT a sign of atelectasis?
Which of the following is NOT a sign of atelectasis?
What is an example of a condition associated with low lung compliance?
What is an example of a condition associated with low lung compliance?
What is the primary issue that absorption atelectasis causes?
What is the primary issue that absorption atelectasis causes?
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Which factor does NOT contribute to respiratory complications after upper abdominal and thoracic surgery?
Which factor does NOT contribute to respiratory complications after upper abdominal and thoracic surgery?
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What is measured when assessing dynamic lung compliance?
What is measured when assessing dynamic lung compliance?
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A patient with floppy lungs would likely experience what difficulty?
A patient with floppy lungs would likely experience what difficulty?
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Which respiratory complication is commonly associated with general anesthesia?
Which respiratory complication is commonly associated with general anesthesia?
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What occurs in passive atelectasis?
What occurs in passive atelectasis?
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Which of the following is a common sign of atelectasis?
Which of the following is a common sign of atelectasis?
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What characterizes low lung compliance?
What characterizes low lung compliance?
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Which patient profile is least likely to contribute to respiratory complications after surgery?
Which patient profile is least likely to contribute to respiratory complications after surgery?
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Which type of atelectasis is associated with a complete airway obstruction?
Which type of atelectasis is associated with a complete airway obstruction?
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What defines static lung compliance?
What defines static lung compliance?
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During which type of lung compliance is exhalation easier due to good recoil?
During which type of lung compliance is exhalation easier due to good recoil?
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Which respiratory complication is commonly associated with patients undergoing upper abdominal surgeries?
Which respiratory complication is commonly associated with patients undergoing upper abdominal surgeries?
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Study Notes
Lung Expansion Therapy
- Prevents or resolves atelectasis, the collapse of a lung or portion of a lung
- Caused by collapsed alveoli due to decreased functional residual capacity (FRC)
- Two types of atelectasis:
- Passive atelectasis (also known as relaxation atelectasis):
- Loss of negative pressure in the pleural space
- Lung relaxes back to its normal volume due to loss of pressure holding it against the chest wall
- Common after general anesthesia, particularly following upper abdominal and thoracic surgeries
- Absorption atelectasis:
- Complete airway obstruction prevents air intake into alveolar sacs
- Air is absorbed into the bloodstream
- Passive atelectasis (also known as relaxation atelectasis):
- Signs of atelectasis:
- Decreased SpO2/PaO2 (oxygen saturation/partial pressure of oxygen)
- Late inspiratory crackles due to alveoli "popping open"
- Increased work of breathing (WOB) and shortness of oxygen (SOA)
Patient Profiles at Risk for Respiratory Complications
- Obesity:
- Increased abdominal pressure, reducing lung volume
- Lower respiratory muscle strength
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):
- Recurring pauses in breathing during sleep
- Smoking:
- Damages lung tissue, reducing airflow and increasing risk of infections
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease):
- Long-term lung disease causing airflow obstruction
- Other prior respiratory complications:
- Increased susceptibility to lung infections and difficulty breathing
- Diabetes:
- Increased risk of infections and poor wound healing
- Hypertension:
- Increased strain on the heart, potentially leading to respiratory complications
Lung Compliance
- Lung compliance refers to the lungs' ability to stretch and expand.
- Two types of compliance measurements:
- Static: Measures compliance when air is not moving
- Dynamic: Measures compliance when air is moving
- Low compliance (Stiff Lungs):
- Difficult to inspire, requiring higher pressures for inhalation
- Easy exhalation due to good lung recoil
- Examples: Fibrosis, Pneumonia
- High Compliance (Floppy Lungs):
- Normal or nearly normal air entry during inspiration
- Difficult exhalation due to lack of recoil
- Examples: COPD, Asthma
Lung Expansion Therapy
- Atelectasis: Collapse of lung or lung portion, caused by collapsed alveoli and decreased functional residual capacity (FRC).
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Types of Atelectasis:
- Passive: Relaxation atelectasis, occurs from loss of negative pressure in pleural space. Loss of negative pressure causes lung to relax to normal volume, commonly seen after general anesthesia, especially following upper abdominal and thoracic surgeries.
- Absorption: Complete airway obstruction prevents air intake into alveoli, allowing air absorption into blood stream.
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Signs of Atelectasis:
- Decreased SpO2/PaO2
- Late inspiratory crackles due to alveoli "popping open"
- Increased work of breathing (WOB) / shortness of air (SOA)
Patient Profiles at Risk
- Patients undergoing upper abdominal and thoracic surgeries are at risk for respiratory complications due to factors such as:
- Obesity
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Smoking
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other prior respiratory complications
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
Lung Compliance
- Definition: Ability of lungs to stretch and expand.
-
Types of Lung Compliance:
- Static: Compliance when air is not moving.
- Dynamic: Compliance when air is moving.
Low Lung Compliance
-
Characteristics:
- Lungs are stiff, making inspiration difficult and requiring higher pressures.
- Lungs recoil well, making exhalation easier.
- Examples: Fibrosis, Pneumonia
High Lung Compliance
-
Characteristics:
- Air enters normally, or nearly so.
- Exhalation difficult due to lack of recoil.
- Examples: COPD, Asthma
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of lung expansion therapy, focusing on its role in preventing and resolving atelectasis. Topics include types of atelectasis, signs, and patient profiles at risk for respiratory complications. Test your understanding of how lung dynamics affect patient care.
