1. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Unit 39 Respiratory System

2. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives Spell and define terms. Review the location and function of the respiratory organs. Describe some common diseases of the respiratory system.

3. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives List five diagnostic tests used to identify respiratory conditions. Describe nursing assistant actions related to the care of patients with respiratory conditions. Identify patients who are at high risk of poor oxygenation.

4. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives Describe the care of patients with a tracheostomy, laryngectomy, and chest tubes. List five safety measures for the use of oxygen therapy.

5. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Introduction Life cannot be maintained without oxygen, and carbon dioxide must be eliminated from the body. Diseases of the respiratory tract that interfere with this vital exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide bring acute distress.

6. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Introduction Nursing care is directed toward making patients’ breathing easier and preventing the transmission of infection.

7. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Structure and Function The respiratory system is sometimes called the lifeline of the body. It extends from the nose to the tiny air sacs that make up the bulk of the lungs.

8. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Patients at Risk of Poor Oxygenation Hypoxemia –Condition in which there is insufficient oxygen in the blood. –Many of the patients who are at high risk for developing hypoxemia are not in the intensive care unit, where monitoring is routine.

9. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Patients at Risk of Poor Oxygenation They are in medical and surgical units, in the long-term care facility, or in other patient care areas.

10. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Upper Respiratory Infections An upper respiratory infection (URI) –Follows invasion of the upper respiratory organs by microbes –The upper respiratory organs include the nose, sinuses, and throat

11. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Upper Respiratory Infections The common cold, which is caused by a virus, is an example of an upper respiratory infection. It is one of the most ordinary illnesses found in people.

12. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD is also called chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) –Conditions that result in chronic blockage or obstruction of the respiratory system –Not reversible

13. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Surgical Conditions Most respiratory problems are not treated with surgery. However, several problems do require surgical correction to ensure uninterrupted air flow.

14. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Special Therapies Related to Respiratory Illness Nursing assistants aid patient breathing through proper positioning and by helping provide moisture and oxygen They also are assigned to collect sputum specimens for examination.

15. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Collecting a Sputum Specimen You may need to collect a sputum specimen from a patient. –Sputum is matter that is brought up from the lungs. –A culture of the specimen identifies the cause of an infection.