Respiration Part 1 - NURS 4043

Movement of O2 and CO2

• Lungs primarily function to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Inhaled air contains approximately 21% oxygen, which is transferred to cells via arteries.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2), typically in the range of 35-45 mmHg, is exhaled after being transferred from body cells to lungs through veins.
• Gas exchange occurs at the alveolar level, where oxygen and CO2 diffusion takes place.

Oxygen Transportation

• Oxygen is transported in two main forms:
  • Dissolved in plasma, measured as partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2).
  • Bound to hemoglobin, which is the most common transportation method.

Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve

• The curve illustrates the relationship between dissolved oxygen and hemoglobin-bound oxygen:
  • A left shift indicates higher hemoglobin affinity for oxygen.
  • A normal curve reflects typical hemoglobin function.
  • A right shift indicates lower affinity for oxygen and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.
• The steep lower portion indicates significant oxygen withdrawal by peripheral tissues, while the flat upper portion shows high hemoglobin saturation despite declining PaO2.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Bronchoscopy: Fiberoptic examination of bronchioles for diagnostic purposes, washouts, biopsies, and foreign body removal, performed under sedation.
• Thoracentesis: Procedure for fluid removal from the pleural space for diagnostic testing, which may include infection, cancer, or pneumonia.

Components of Pulmonary Function Tests

• Four key elements:
  • Lung Volume
  • Mechanics of Breathing
  • Diffusion
  • Arterial Blood Gases
• Not all elements are measured in critically ill patients.

Lung Volumes and Capacities

• Tidal Volume (VT): Air exhaled during passive breathing; normal volume is about 500 ml.
• Minute Ventilation: Calculated by multiplying tidal volume by the respiratory rate.
• Vital Capacity (VC): Maximum air that can be exhaled after maximum inhalation; normal range is 4600-4800 ml.

Dynamic vs Static Compliance

• Dynamic Compliance: 46-66 ml/cm H2O, measured during breathing; decreased by airway resistance and bronchial spasms.
• Static Compliance: 57-85 ml/cm H2O, measured at rest; decreased due to conditions such as pneumothorax and pulmonary edema.

Ventilation vs Perfusion

• Ventilation: The act of breathing, managing gas exchange in the lungs.
• Perfusion: Blood circulation reaching the lungs for effective gas exchange; normal ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) ratio is approximately 1:1.

V/Q Mismatch

• Occurs when either ventilation or perfusion is obstructed:
  • Ventilation Issues: Decreased oxygen delivery to alveoli leads to increased CO2 and decreased oxygen levels (hypoventilation).
  • Perfusion Issues: Intrapulmonary shunting returns deoxygenated blood to the left heart; can be physiological (small amount) or pathological (large amount) leading to low PaO2.

Summary of V/Q Mismatch

• Differentiates between pulmonary shunt (issues with ventilation) and dead space (issues with perfusion), highlighting the complexities of respiratory function.

Movement of O2 and CO2

• Lungs primarily function to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Inhaled air contains approximately 21% oxygen, which is transferred to cells via arteries.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2), typically in the range of 35-45 mmHg, is exhaled after being transferred from body cells to lungs through veins.
• Gas exchange occurs at the alveolar level, where oxygen and CO2 diffusion takes place.

Oxygen Transportation

• Oxygen is transported in two main forms:
  • Dissolved in plasma, measured as partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2).
  • Bound to hemoglobin, which is the most common transportation method.

Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve

• The curve illustrates the relationship between dissolved oxygen and hemoglobin-bound oxygen:
  • A left shift indicates higher hemoglobin affinity for oxygen.
  • A normal curve reflects typical hemoglobin function.
  • A right shift indicates lower affinity for oxygen and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.
• The steep lower portion indicates significant oxygen withdrawal by peripheral tissues, while the flat upper portion shows high hemoglobin saturation despite declining PaO2.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Bronchoscopy: Fiberoptic examination of bronchioles for diagnostic purposes, washouts, biopsies, and foreign body removal, performed under sedation.
• Thoracentesis: Procedure for fluid removal from the pleural space for diagnostic testing, which may include infection, cancer, or pneumonia.

Components of Pulmonary Function Tests

• Four key elements:
  • Lung Volume
  • Mechanics of Breathing
  • Diffusion
  • Arterial Blood Gases
• Not all elements are measured in critically ill patients.

Lung Volumes and Capacities

• Tidal Volume (VT): Air exhaled during passive breathing; normal volume is about 500 ml.
• Minute Ventilation: Calculated by multiplying tidal volume by the respiratory rate.
• Vital Capacity (VC): Maximum air that can be exhaled after maximum inhalation; normal range is 4600-4800 ml.

Dynamic vs Static Compliance

• Dynamic Compliance: 46-66 ml/cm H2O, measured during breathing; decreased by airway resistance and bronchial spasms.
• Static Compliance: 57-85 ml/cm H2O, measured at rest; decreased due to conditions such as pneumothorax and pulmonary edema.

Ventilation vs Perfusion

• Ventilation: The act of breathing, managing gas exchange in the lungs.
• Perfusion: Blood circulation reaching the lungs for effective gas exchange; normal ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) ratio is approximately 1:1.

V/Q Mismatch

• Occurs when either ventilation or perfusion is obstructed:
  • Ventilation Issues: Decreased oxygen delivery to alveoli leads to increased CO2 and decreased oxygen levels (hypoventilation).
  • Perfusion Issues: Intrapulmonary shunting returns deoxygenated blood to the left heart; can be physiological (small amount) or pathological (large amount) leading to low PaO2.

Summary of V/Q Mismatch

• Differentiates between pulmonary shunt (issues with ventilation) and dead space (issues with perfusion), highlighting the complexities of respiratory function.

Movement of O2 and CO2

• Lungs primarily function to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Inhaled air contains approximately 21% oxygen, which is transferred to cells via arteries.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2), typically in the range of 35-45 mmHg, is exhaled after being transferred from body cells to lungs through veins.
• Gas exchange occurs at the alveolar level, where oxygen and CO2 diffusion takes place.

Oxygen Transportation

• Oxygen is transported in two main forms:
  • Dissolved in plasma, measured as partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2).
  • Bound to hemoglobin, which is the most common transportation method.

Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve

• The curve illustrates the relationship between dissolved oxygen and hemoglobin-bound oxygen:
  • A left shift indicates higher hemoglobin affinity for oxygen.
  • A normal curve reflects typical hemoglobin function.
  • A right shift indicates lower affinity for oxygen and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.
• The steep lower portion indicates significant oxygen withdrawal by peripheral tissues, while the flat upper portion shows high hemoglobin saturation despite declining PaO2.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Bronchoscopy: Fiberoptic examination of bronchioles for diagnostic purposes, washouts, biopsies, and foreign body removal, performed under sedation.
• Thoracentesis: Procedure for fluid removal from the pleural space for diagnostic testing, which may include infection, cancer, or pneumonia.

Components of Pulmonary Function Tests

• Four key elements:
  • Lung Volume
  • Mechanics of Breathing
  • Diffusion
  • Arterial Blood Gases
• Not all elements are measured in critically ill patients.

Lung Volumes and Capacities

• Tidal Volume (VT): Air exhaled during passive breathing; normal volume is about 500 ml.
• Minute Ventilation: Calculated by multiplying tidal volume by the respiratory rate.
• Vital Capacity (VC): Maximum air that can be exhaled after maximum inhalation; normal range is 4600-4800 ml.

Dynamic vs Static Compliance

• Dynamic Compliance: 46-66 ml/cm H2O, measured during breathing; decreased by airway resistance and bronchial spasms.
• Static Compliance: 57-85 ml/cm H2O, measured at rest; decreased due to conditions such as pneumothorax and pulmonary edema.

Ventilation vs Perfusion

• Ventilation: The act of breathing, managing gas exchange in the lungs.
• Perfusion: Blood circulation reaching the lungs for effective gas exchange; normal ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) ratio is approximately 1:1.

V/Q Mismatch

• Occurs when either ventilation or perfusion is obstructed:
  • Ventilation Issues: Decreased oxygen delivery to alveoli leads to increased CO2 and decreased oxygen levels (hypoventilation).
  • Perfusion Issues: Intrapulmonary shunting returns deoxygenated blood to the left heart; can be physiological (small amount) or pathological (large amount) leading to low PaO2.

Summary of V/Q Mismatch

• Differentiates between pulmonary shunt (issues with ventilation) and dead space (issues with perfusion), highlighting the complexities of respiratory function.

Explore the fundamental processes of respiration in this quiz. Focus on the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide, highlighting lung function, diffusion, and gas exchange at the alveolar level. Perfect for students in NURS 4043 seeking to solidify their understanding of respiratory physiology.