Respiratory System and Oxygenation in Nursing

• Oxygen is a clear, odorless gas essential for cellular function, making up 21% of the air we breathe.
• Respiration involves ventilation, alveolar gas exchange, oxygen and carbon dioxide transport, and systemic diffusion.
• The respiratory system is divided into upper (mouth, nose, pharynx, larynx) and lower (trachea, lungs, alveoli) parts.
• Pulmonary ventilation includes inspiration (air into lungs) and expiration (air out of lungs), influenced by factors like clear airways and intact CNS.
• Intrapleural pressure is negative to create suction for lung expansion, while intrapulmonary pressure equals atmospheric pressure during breathing.
• Tidal volume is around 500ml per inspiration in healthy adults, impacted by factors like lung compliance and recoil.
• Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension, aiding lung expansion, critical for premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
• Alveolar gas exchange involves oxygen diffusion into pulmonary vessels, while oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported between tissues and lungs by hemoglobin.
• Factors affecting oxygen transport include cardiac output, red blood cell count, and exercise, influencing tissue oxygen delivery.
• Alterations in respiratory function can occur due to airway obstructions, breathing pattern changes, diffusion impairments, or issues affecting oxygen transport.
• Nursing assessments involve history-taking, physical exams, and diagnostic tests to evaluate respiratory status and oxygenation.
• Possible nursing diagnoses include ineffective airway clearance, impaired gas exchange, and activity intolerance, among others.
• Nursing interventions for oxygenation problems include promoting deep breathing, hydration, medication administration, and using devices like humidifiers and incentive spirometers.
• Oxygen therapy is administered to increase oxygen in the blood, with methods including low-flow systems (cannula, masks) and high-flow systems (venturi mask, tracheostomy collar).
• Other interventions like mini nebulizer therapy, endotracheal intubation, and tracheostomy may be used for respiratory support.

Test your knowledge on the respiratory system and oxygenation in nursing, focusing on topics like respiration, pulmonary ventilation, alveolar gas exchange, and nursing assessments and interventions. Learn about oxygen transport, lung expansion, and factors influencing tissue oxygen delivery.