Medical-Surgical Nursing: Oxygenation Problems

Study Notes

Classroom Rules for Medical-Surgical Nursing

15 minutes late results in absence; 3 consecutive lates equal 1 absence.
3 unexcused absences lead to drop-out status.
Special exams must be taken within 3 days of the original examination date.
No cellphones permitted during class sessions.
No exit from the room once class has commenced.
Use the restroom before class begins.
Post tests administered within the first 15 minutes of class.
No photography of slides; students must take notes from provided PowerPoint.
Notebooks will be checked at the end of each period for grading.
An assignment notebook is mandatory for all students.

Grading System Overview

Long exam contributes 50% to total score.
Short exam accounts for 20% of the total.
Participation and requirements make up 25%.
Attendance and behavior contribute 5%.
Total score combines these components for 100%.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System

Respiratory system includes upper and lower tracts, crucial for airflow in the lungs.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Functions to warm and filter air for effective gas exchange in the lower tract.
Comprises nose, paranasal sinuses (frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, maxillary), pharynx, larynx, and trachea.
Gas exchange transmits oxygen to tissues and expels carbon dioxide.

Components of Upper Respiratory Tract

Nose: Air passageway that filters impurities and humidifies air.
Paranasal Sinuses: Assist in speech resonance and are common infection sites.
Pharynx: Connects nasal and oral cavities to larynx and serves both respiratory and digestive systems.
Larynx: Known as the voice box; crucial for vocalization and protecting the lower airway.
Trachea: The windpipe that connects larynx to bronchi entering the lungs.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Comprises lungs with bronchial structures essential for gas exchange.
Lungs are elastic structures within the thoracic cage and are divided into lobes (right lung: upper, middle, lower; left lung: upper, lower).

Pleura

Serous membrane lining the lungs (visceral pleura) and thoracic cavity (parietal pleura).
Pleural fluid allows smooth lung movement during breathing.

Additional Structures

Mediastinum: Central compartment in the thorax.
Bronchi: Main airways that branch from the trachea into each lung.
Alveoli: Tiny air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs.

Functions of the Respiratory System

Oxygen Transport: Transfers oxygen and removes carbon dioxide via circulating blood.
Respiration: Gas exchange between atmospheric air, blood, and body cells.
Ventilation: Movement of air through the respiratory tract (inhalation and exhalation).
Pulmonary Diffusion: Gas exchange between areas of high and low concentration.
Pulmonary Perfusion: Blood flow through pulmonary vasculature powered by right ventricle.

Assessment in Respiratory Care

Health History: Involves evaluating common symptoms, past health, social, and family history.

Common Symptoms

Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Cough
Sputum production
Chest pain
Wheezing
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)

Diagnostic Evaluations

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): Assess respiratory function and degree of dysfunction.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): Evaluate lungs' ability to deliver oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide.

Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to problems in oxygenation within the context of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Prepare to answer questions that assess your understanding of the challenges faced in maintaining effective oxygenation in patients. It serves as a critical review to enhance your nursing knowledge and practice.