Chapter 8
Diseases of the Respiratory System
Structure and Function
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Air enters Nasal Cavity, pharynx
Larynx to trachea
Bronchi – each lung then bronchioles,
alveoli
Exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide,
expel carbondioxide, oxygen flows into
blood system.
Diaphragm and muscles between ribs help
air to enter and exit lungs.
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Terms
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Dyspnea
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Tachypnea
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Hemoptysis – coughing what?
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Cyanosis
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Common Signs and Symptoms
of respiratory disease
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Dyspnea
Tachypnea, Wheezing
Dry cough or hemoptysis
Cyanosis
Fever
Fatigue
Pain- where? Weakness – muscles and
voice
Sinus drainage
Elsevier items and derived items © 2009 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Diagnostic Procedures
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Sprirometer – tests vital capacity volume,
draw in as much air as possible then expel
as much as possible.
FEV – forced-expiratory volume. Maximum
air expelled in one second of time.
Oscillometry – Breathe normally for 20-30
seconds, then it shoots sound waves into
the air passages and measures echo.
Arterial blood gases – evaluate levels of
oxygen and carbon dioxide and blood pH
Elsevier items and derived items © 2009 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
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Diagnostic Procedures
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Chest x-rays
Bronchoscopy
Flouroscopy – visualize lungs and
diaphragm during respiration
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Upper Respiratory Disease
Signs and symptoms
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Common cold – swelling of mucous
membranes, low fever, nasal congestion,
cough
Sinusitis – inflammation of mucous
membranes, pressure, headache, sinus
pain, fever
Nasal polyps – nasal drainage, lack of
smell, sleep apnea
Influenza – sudden onset, chills, fever,
aches, cough, sore throat, GI disorders
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Upper Respiratory Disease
Signs and symptoms
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Snoring/sleep apnea – postnasal drip,
exaggerated breathing sounds, inflamed
sinuses, nasal congestion, sleep
interruption or hesitation in breathing
Hay fever – Runny nose, congestion,
tearing, itching
Tonsillitis, Pharyngitis, Laryngitis –
difficulty swallowing, redness in throat,
pain, nasal congestion, loss of voice or
hoarseness
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Lower Respiratory Disease
Signs and symptoms
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COPD – includes bronchitis, asthma,
emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia
 Bronchitis – chest pains, dyspnea, cough,
fever, chills, hypoxia
 Asthma – breathlessness or panting,
wheezing,
 Emphysema – suffocating feeling, distressed
breathing, collapsed lung
 Cystic Fibrosis – inherited, dyspnea, wheezing,
persistent cough, thick sputum
 Pneumonia – dyspnea, fever, chest pain,
productive cough
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Lower Respiratory Disease
Signs and symptoms
Pleurisy – Painful breathing – complication of
pneumonia
 Legionnaire’s disease – fatigue, coughing,
sob, neuromuscular impairments, collapsed
lung
 Primary atypical pneumonia (walking) – flu-like
symptoms, fatigue, fever, weakness,
headache, sore throat, GI disorders – can
become worse, but generally can function
among others with this disease
 Primary TB – Cough with sputum, difficult to
diagnose without know contact
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