1. Introduction to Nursing
TOPIC 1: Introduction to Nursing
Learning Goal C: Identify the systems of a healthy body
HLT33115 Unit: HLTAAP001 - Recognise healthy body systems
Related Assessment: Task C

2. Recap -

3. Respiratory system
Responsibility for
Cellular respiration - take oxygen into your body and get rid of carbon dioxide.
Oxygen homeostasis - maintain amount of Oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body – which results in overall acidity level.

4. Cells: epithelial cells, muscle cells, blood cells.
Respiratory Systems
Organs/Structures: Lungs, Trachea, Mouth, Nose, Pharynx, Larynx, Diaphragm.
Tissue: Connective tissue, muscular tissue, epithelial tissues, nervous tissue
Cells: epithelial cells, muscle cells, blood cells.
Molecules: oxygen, carbon dioxide

5. Nose- air enters, warms the air and removes dust particles.
Key Structures:
Upper Respiratory
Nose- air enters, warms the air and removes dust particles.
Mouth- larger amounts of air can enter
Pharynx - upper aspect of the throat.
Epiglottis - Blocks the trachea from getting food in it.
Larynx - voice box
Trachea - large cartilage area which air enters the lungs.
Bronchial – Left and right - Large tubes which enter the lungs

6. Lungs (Lower respiratory) Left Lung (upper and lower lobes)
Key Structures
Lungs (Lower respiratory)
Left Lung (upper and lower lobes)
Right Lung (upper, middle and lower lobes)
Bronchus - Branches of cartilage into the lungs after the Bronchial
Alveoli - Small branches in the lobes where oxygen diffusion occurs
Pulmonary Artery - takes deoxygenated blood to the lungs
Pulmonary Vein - takes oxygenated blood to the heart.

8. Diaphragm - muscle that causes major breathing
Key Structyres
Parietal Pleura (outer) - Outer layer of connective tissue around the lung
Visceral Pleura (inner) - Inner layer of connective tissue around the lung with fluid layer to allow for expansion of the lung.
Diaphragm - muscle that causes major breathing
Abdominal muscles - supporting muscles that support breathing if needed.
Ribs - protect and line lungs.

9. Key Points:
Lungs take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide through diffusion.
Lungs should be clear and diffuse appropraitely.
Nursing assessments:
Listen to the lungs rate and depth.

10. Key Points:
gas exchange occurs within the lungs to gain oxygen and remove Carbon dioxide onto the hemoglobin in red blood cells.
This is then diffused to parts of the body.
Nursing assessment:
Oxygen Saturations
Colour

11. A healthy respiratory system:
Lungs are clear and fill with nil effort.
Respiratory rate is between at rest
Oxygen saturation is between % on room air.
Good colour.
Patient is not dizzy and breathless.

12. Nursing Assessments to assess the cardiovascular system and respiratory system: (i.e. Vital Signs)
Respiratory Rate (respiratory system)
Saturation of oxygen (respiratory system)
Pulse (cardiovascular system – we will look at these next lesson)
Blood Pressure (cardiovascular system – we will look at these next lesson)

13. Respiratory Rate:
- The normal adult Respiratory Rate (RR) is breaths/minute. - The RR should be counted for 30 seconds.
- If the patient’s RR falls outside the normal adult RR parameters then the RR must be counted for a full minute to ensure accuracy.
- The RR should be counted while palpating the patient’s radial pulse so that the patient is not aware that you are observing them.
- The RR should be immediately charted on the General Observation Chart
- In general a Clinical Emergency call must be made for a RR of < 8 or > 24 unless modified on the General Observation Chart
- A Clinical Emergency call must be made if oxygen requirements have increased to maintain a patient’s respiratory rate.

14. Pulse Oximitry (Oxygen Saturations)
Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturations in the patient’s blood. Altered oxygen saturations are a late sign of respiratory distress. Initially the body will try and compensate for hypoxia by increasing the rate and depth of respirations. By the time the oxygen saturations are decreasing the patient is usually very compromised.
- Normal oxygen saturations are between %
. - Oxygen saturations < 90% correlate with very low blood oxygen levels and require urgent medical review. If your patient’s oxygen saturations are low you will usually notice other signs that the patient is short of breath such as increased respiratory rate and effort.
- In general Clinical Emergency call must be made for oxygen saturations < 90% unless otherwise modified on the General Observation Chart

15. So What. Summary Key Terms- these are taken from our discussions
So What? Summary Key Terms- these are taken from our discussions. Please note these are not exact definitions but provide a general understanding.
Key Structures:
Upper Respiratory
Nose- air enters, warms the air and removes dust particles.
Mouth- larger amounts of air can enter
Pharynx - upper aspect of the throat.
Epiglottis - Blocks the trachea from getting food in it.
Larynx - voice box
Trachea - large cartilage area which air enters the lungs.
Bronchial – Left and right - Large tubes which enter the lungs
Lungs (Lower respiratory)
Left Lung (upper and lower lobes)
Right Lung (upper, middle and lower lobes)
Bronchus - Branches of cartilage into the lungs after the Bronchial
Alveoli - Small branches in the lobes where oxygen diffusion occurs
Pulmonary Artery - takes deoxygenated blood to the lungs
Pulmonary Vein - takes oxygenated blood to the heart.
Parietal Pleura (outer) - Outer layer of connective tissue around the lung
Visceral Pleura (inner) - Inner layer of connective tissue around the lung with fluid layer to allow for expansion of the lung.
Diaphragm - muscle that causes major breathing
Abdominal muscles - supporting muscles that support breathing if needed.
Ribs - protect and line lungs.
Respiratory System: Responsible for:
cellular respiration - take oxygen into your body and get rid of carbon dioxide. Homeostasis - maintain amount of Oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body – which results in overall acidity level.
Organs: Lungs
Tissues: Epithelial tissues, Muscular Tissues, Connective Tissues, Nervous Tissues
Cells: Epithelial Cells, blood cells
Molecules: Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen
Key Terms
Bulk Flow (inhalation and expiration)
Inhalation– Bringing air into the lungs through diaphragm contracting.
Expiration – Expelling air out of lungs through diaphragm relaxing
Breath – inhalation and exhalation
Simple Diffusion – Movement of molecules (oxygen or carbon dioxide) across a cell membrane into a cell.
Osmosis – movement of molecules via diffusion from most concentrated to least concentrated space.
Oxygenation – To have oxygen
Deoxygenated – To not have oxygen
Saturation -
Healthy respiratory system:
Lungs are clear and fill with nil effort.
Resp rate is between at rest
Oxygen saturation is between % on room air.
Good colour.
Patient is not dizzy and breathless.
Nursing Observations:
Respiratory Rate – breaths per minute
Saturation of oxygen - saturation of blood in body with oxygen