Respiratory System Overview

The process of gas exchange between the body and the environment; taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.

The act of moving air into and out of the lungs. This includes inhalation and exhalation.

The movement of gases from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure, crucial for gas exchange in the lungs.

The flow of blood through the capillaries surrounding the alveoli, delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.

The part of the respiratory system from the nose to the larynx; helps protect the lower airways and humidify the air.

The part of the respiratory system from the trachea down to the alveoli; includes bronchi and bronchioles and is involved in gas exchange.

Difficult or labored breathing.

Openings of the nose, leading to the nasal vestibule.

Hairs in the nasal vestibule that filter pollutants.

Air-filled spaces in the skull, lined with mucus membranes, aiding phonation.

Funnel-shaped tube connecting nose/mouth to larynx/esophagus, shared by respiratory and digestive systems.

Cartilage flap that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the lungs.

Windpipe, a tube connecting the larynx to bronchi.

Substance that reduces surface tension in alveoli, preventing collapse.

Amount of air inhaled and exhaled during a normal breath.

Air remaining in the lungs after forceful exhalation, preventing lung collapse.

A test done on sputum (mucus from the lungs) to identify the bacteria causing an infection and determine which antibiotics are most effective against it.

A procedure where a small sample of lung tissue is taken during a bronchoscopy (examining the airways).

Lung tissue sample taken with a needle, often near the side of the lungs.

Surgical procedure to obtain a large lung tissue sample, a whole lobe or lung.

A lung function test that measures the amount of air inhaled and exhaled.

The greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after maximum inhalation.

A test done to check the blood flow in the hand before taking blood from the radial artery.

A blood test to assess the level of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) and acid-base balance in the blood, specifically, the blood coming from the artery.

A medical device inserted into the chest cavity to drain fluid, air, or blood and help re-expand the lung.

A condition where air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse.

A system used to drain fluids from the chest with two bottles, one for drainage and the other for water seal.

A bottle in a chest tube system that prevents air from entering the chest cavity.

A bottle in a chest tube system that regulates the suction applied to the chest.

A chest drainage system using three bottles: one for drainage, one for water seal, and one for suction.

Squeezing the chest tube to help remove fluid or clots.

Closing off the chest tube to prevent air leakage or fluid drainage.

A condition where the nasal septum, the wall between the nostrils, is bent or displaced.

Surgical procedure to correct a deviated septum.

A break in the bones of the nose.

A type of bruising, often caused by trauma.

Nosebleed.

Inflammation of the sinus cavities, often caused by infection.

Sinus cavities located in the forehead, above the eyebrows.

The breakdown or destruction of red blood cells, usually caused by physical damage or chemical reactions.

The percentage of oxygen carried by red blood cells in the blood. A normal range is typically 95% to 100%.

An abnormal buildup of fluid in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall.

A condition where fluid builds up in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

A legal process where a patient is given information about a medical procedure and then agrees to it voluntarily.

A sitting position where the patient leans forward with their arms supported on a table or bedside table, used to improve breathing by expanding the chest.

A medical device that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood, often used to monitor breathing problems.

A type of pulse oximetry where the oxygen saturation is measured constantly, providing a continuous stream of data.

A procedure that involves using a suction catheter to remove mucus or other secretions from the airway.

A combination of techniques, including postural drainage, percussion, and vibration, used to help clear mucus from the lungs.

Using gravity to help drain mucus from the lungs by positioning the patient so that the affected area is lower than the trachea.

A tube inserted into the chest cavity to drain air or fluid from the pleural space, often used after surgery or to treat collapsed lungs.

When blood thickens and forms a clot, often in surgical procedures. Coagulants are used to speed up clot formation in cases where clotting takes longer than usual.

After surgery, patients may need to be positioned in a way that promotes breathing and prevents complications. Common post-operative positioning includes lateral or prone with a pillow under the chest and head tilted to one side.

After surgery, close attention is paid to ensuring a clear airway and safe breathing. This includes observing for signs of hemorrhage, like coughing and vomiting blood.

This means the patient has difficulty regulating their body temperature, often seen after surgery due to anesthesia and other factors.

Pain management after surgery is critical. This includes pain relievers, oral care and avoiding foods that could irritate the throat.

A condition where the lungs, or parts of the lungs, collapse. This happens when tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) don't inflate properly.

Tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli don't inflate correctly, causing atelectasis (lung collapse).

Atelectasis can be caused by factors like trauma, lung compression, airway obstruction, and inadequate surfactant production.

Restlessness is a common early sign of hypoxia (low oxygen levels) in patients with atelectasis.

These include medications, deep breathing exercises, and encouraging mobility to prevent further lung problems.

One classic sign of pulmonary edema is pink, frothy sputum (mucus), which is a mix of blood and fluid from the lungs.

These include medication, staying with the client, and encouraging deep breathing exercises. Calmness is essential.

Various interventions aim to improve the heart's function in pulmonary edema. These include oxygen therapy, medications, fluid management, and positioning.

A dangerous condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, often caused by factors like surgery or immobility.

These include chest pain, shortness of breath, restlessness, and sometimes crackles in the lungs.