PowerPoint® to accompany
Medical Assisting
Chapter 30
Second Edition
Ramutkowski • Booth • Pugh • Thompson • Whicker
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
1
The Respiratory System
Objectives
30-1 Explain the functions of the respiratory system.
30-2 Explain the difference between internal and external
respiration.
30-3 Describe how the larynx produces voice sounds.
30-4 List the structures contained within the lungs.
30-5 Describe the coverings of the lungs and chest cavity.
30-6 Describe the events that lead to the inspiration and expiration
of air.
30-7 Explain how the brain controls breathing and how normal
breathing patterns can be disrupted.
2
The Respiratory System
Objectives (cont.)
30-8 List and explain various respiratory volumes and tell how
they are used to diagnose respiratory problems.
30-9 Describe how oxygen is transported from the lungs to body
cells.
30-10 Describe how carbon dioxide is transported from body cells
to the lungs.
30-11 Describe the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatments of
various respiratory disorders and diseases.
3
The Respiratory System
 The major function of the respiratory system is
ventilation (breathing).
 This system also functions to deliver oxygen (O2) to
the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide (CO2)
from the bloodstream.
O2
O2
O2
Exchange of oxygen
and carbon dioxide
CO2
CO2
CO2
4
Organs of the Respiratory System
Organs of the respiratory system:
 Nose
 Pharynx
 Larynx
 Trachea
 Bronchial tree
 Lungs
5
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
The Nasal Cavity



Nasal septum divides
the cavity into right and
left portions
Nasal conchae extend
from walls of nasal
cavity
Mucous membrane
warms and moistens the
air and cilia helps
eliminate particles
The Paranasal Sinuses



These are air-filled spaces
within the skull bones
Serve to reduce weight of
the skull and give your voice
a certain tone
Skull bones with sinuses
include:




Frontal
Sphenoid
Ethmoid
Maxillae bones
6
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
 The Pharynx
 An organ of both the respiratory and digestive
system
 The Larynx
 Larynx also called the “voice box”
 Moves air in and out of the trachea, and produces
voice
 Composed of three cartilages:
 Thyroid
cartilage
 Epiglottic cartilage
 Cricoid cartilage
7
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
Vocal Cords
 Stretched between the
thyroid cartilage and the
cricoid cartilage
 Upper vocal cords are false
cords and lower vocal cords
are true vocal cords.
 The glottis is the opening
between the vocal cords
 The more vocal cords are
stretched, the higher the
voice pitch.
Posterior
Portion
of
Tongue
Glottis
False
Vocal
Cords
True
Vocal
Cords
8
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
Trachea
Trachea
 Referred to as the windpipe
 Tubular organ made of rings of cartilage
and smooth muscle
 Lined with cells possessing cilia
 Extends from the larynx to the bronchi.
Cilia moves mucus up to the
throat where it is swallowed.
Smoking destroys cilia.
9
Organs of the Respiratory System
(cont.)
• Cone-shaped organs
• Right lung has three lobes and the left
lung has two lobes
• The membranes surrounding the lungs is
called the pleura
The lungs contain connective tissue, the bronchial tree, nerves, lymphatic
vessels and blood vessels.
10
Apply Your Knowledge
Which of the following sites would be the most lethal if
obstructed by a foreign body?
a. Right bronchus
b. Left bronchiole
c. Trachea
11
Apply Your Knowledge - Answer
Which of the following sites would be the most lethal if
obstructed by a foreign body?
a. Right bronchus
b. Left bronchiole
c. Trachea
12
Snoring
 Occurs due to vibration of soft tissues when muscles of the
palate, tongue and throat relax.
 Affects approximately 50% of men and 25% of women over
the age of 40.
 Causes daytime sleepiness and may be associated with sleep
apnea.
Common Causes
• enlargement of tonsils or adenoids
• being overweight
• alcohol consumption
• nasal congestion
• deviated nasal septum
13
Snoring (cont.)
 Mayo Clinic’s Sleep Disorders Center rating
of snoring:
Heard from close proximity
Heard from anywhere in the bedroom
Heard from just outside the bedroom door
with door open
Heard outside the bedroom door with the
door closed
14
Snoring (cont.)

Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Snoring





Lose weight
Change sleeping position
Avoid using alcohol or medications that induce
sleep
Use nasal strips to widen the nasal passages
Use dental devices to keep airways open
Some patients may require surgery to remove excess soft
tissue or a portion of the soft palate.
15
The Mechanisms of Breathing
Inspiration
• Air rich in O2 enters the lungs
from the atmosphere
• The diaphragm contracts or flattens
• The intercostal muscles raise the
ribs
Expiration
• Air rich in C0 2 exits the lungs
• The diaphragm relaxes
• The intercostal muscles lower the ribs
Breathing or pulmonary ventilation, consist of inspiration (inhalation) and
expiration (exhalation). The medulla oblongata controls the rhythm and
depth of breathing and the pons controls the rate of breathing.
16
Respiratory Volumes
Tidal Volume
Reflects the amount of air that moves in
or out of the lungs during a normal
breath
Inspiratory
Reserve Volume
Amount of air that can be forcefully
inhaled following a normal inhalation
Expiratory
Reserve Volume
Amount of air that can be forcefully
exhaled following a normal exhalation
17
Respiratory Volumes
Residual
Volume
Vital Capacity
Total Lung
Capacity
Represents the volume of air that
always remains in the lungs even after
a forceful exhalation.
Amount of air that can be forcefully
exhaled after the deepest inhalation
possible.
This measure reflects the total amount
of air the lungs can hold.
18
The Transport of Oxygen and
Carbon Dioxide in the Blood
 Most of the body’s oxygen binds to
hemoglobin in the red blood cells. This
transport system is called oxyhemoglobin.
 When carbon dioxide gets into the
bloodstream bicarbonate ions are formed and
some carbon dioxide binds to hemoglobin.
 When bicarbonate ions reach the lungs, an
enzyme changes them back into carbon
dioxide and water.
19
Apply Your Knowledge
The medical assistant working for a general practitioner is taking the
medical history of a new patient. The patient states “Even after sleeping
8 to 9 hours I still feel really tired.” The patient’s spouse states, “Well you
sure snore loud, as if the sleep is so good.”
Which of the following is a possible cause for the excessive fatigue?
a. Periods of apnea
b. Depression
c. Tuberculosis
20
Apply Your Knowledge - Answer
The medical assistant working for a general practitioner is taking the
medical history of a new patient. The patient states “Even after sleeping 89 hours I still feel really tired.” The patient’s spouse states, “Well you sure
snore loud, as if the sleep is so good.”
Which of the following is a possible cause for the excessive fatigue?
a. Periods of apnea
b. Depression
c. Tuberculosis
21
Common Respiratory Conditions

Asthma is a condition in which the bronchial
tree becomes obstructed due to inflammation



Causes includes allergens, cigarette smoke,
pollutants, cold temperatures and exercise
Signs and symptoms include difficulty
breathing, wheezing, coughing, and a tight feeling
in the chest
Treatment include avoidance of allergens,
steroid inhalers, bronchodilators and stopping
smoking
22
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi



May be caused by viruses, gastroesophageal
reflux, exposure to cigarette smoke, pollutants
and fumes.
Signs and symptoms includes chills, fever,
difficulty breathing, coughing up yellow-gray or
green mucus, chest tightness, wheezing and
difficulty breathing
Treatment with rest, fluids, cough medicines,
humidifiers, inhalers and antibiotics for smokers
23
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Disease
Causes
Signs &
Symptoms
Treatments
Chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease
Cigarette smoke
and air pollution
Fatigue,
difficulty
breathing &
frequent
coughing
Lifestyle changes,
inhalers, stop
smoking
Emphysema
Cigarette smoke,
pollutants, dust
Chronic cough,
weight loss,
fatigue,
shortness of
breath
Stop smoking,
vaccinations,
antibiotics,
oxygen,
bronchodilators
24
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Disease
Causes
Signs and
Symptoms
Treatment
Influenza (Flu)
Numerous viruses
Runny nose, sore
throat, sneezing,
fever, chills,
diarrhea, loss of
appetite
Bed rest, fluids,
antiviral
medications
Laryngitis
Viruses, bacteria,
excessive talking,
allergies, smoking,
frequent use of
alcohol
Hoarse voice,
sore throat, dry
cough and throat
Antibiotics,
avoidance of
cigarettes and
alcohol
25
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Disease
Causes
Signs and
Symptoms
Treatment
Legionnaire’s
Disease
Bacteria that grows
in air conditioning
systems
Fever, fatigue,
difficulty breathing,
chest pain,
headache
Antibiotics,
respiratory
therapy and
supportive
therapy
Lung Cancer
Smoking, exposure
to radon, asbestos
and industrial
carcinogens
Cough, hemoptysis,
difficulty breathing,
weight loss,
chronic hoarseness,
wheezing
Depends on type
of cancer and
stage but
chemotherapy
and radiation are
common
26
treatments
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Disease
Causes
Signs and
Symptoms
Treatment
Pleuritis
Viruses,
pneumonia,
autoimmune
diseases such as
lupus, chest trauma
Fever or chills,
dry cough,
shortness of
breath, chest pain
during breathing
Pain medications,
antibiotics, antiinflammatory
drugs, removal of
fluid around the
lungs
Pneumonia
Bacteria, viruses,
fungi, parasites,
foreign matter
entering the lungs
Fever or chills,
headache, fatigue,
coughing up rustcolored, green or
yellow mucus
Rest, fluids,
antibiotics, overthe-counter pain
medications
27
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Disease
Causes
Signs and
Symptoms
Treatment
Pneumothorax
Chest trauma, and
unknown causes
Tightness in the
chest, sharp chest
pain, rapid heart
rate, shortness of
breath
Chest tube,
surgery
Pulmonary
Edema
Congestive heart
failure, heart attack,
cardiomyopathy, heart
valve disorders, lung
infections, chest
injuries and many
others
Shortness of
breath, wheezing,
weight gain, pink
mucus, pale skin,
sweating
Oxygen
therapy,
diuretics,
morphine
28
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Disease
Causes
Signs and
Symptoms
Treatment
Pulmonary
Embolism
Heart attacks,
fractured hips,
cancer, long
periods of
inactivity
Fainting, sudden
shortness of
breath,
hemoptysis,
wheezing,
tachycardia, chest
pain
Support
stockings, clotdissolving
medications, anticoagulants,
surgical filter
insertion
Severe Acute
Respiratory
Syndrome
Viruses
Fever, chills,
headache, dry
cough, muscle
aches
Rest, anti-viral
medications
29
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)
Diseases
Causes
Signs and
Symptoms
Treatment
Sinusitis
Bacteria, blockage Fever, cough,
Nasal decongestants,
of sinus openings sore throat,
nasal steroid sprays,
facial pain, nasal antibiotics
decongestion
Tuberculosis
Bacterium
Mycobacterium
tuberculosis
Cough lasting >3 TB testing, Drug
weeks, fever or
therapy
chills, weight
loss, night
sweats, pain
when breathing
30
Common Respiratory Conditions
(cont.)

Sudden infant death syndrome has no specific signs or
symptoms and no known causes.
Risk Factors
• More common in male infants
• Babies between the ages of 2 weeks and 6 months are most susceptible
• Premature or low birth weight babies are at risk
• Babies with a sibling that died of SIDS
• African American and Native American babies are at highest risk
• Babies who were prenatally exposed to cocaine, heroine, or nicotine
• Babies who sleep on their stomachs are three times more likely to die
from SIDS
31
Apply Your Knowledge
Which of the following diseases must all health care workers
be screened for annually?
a. Pneumonia
b. Tuberculosis
c. Legionnaire’s disease
32
Apply Your Knowledge - Answer
Which of the following diseases must all health care workers
be screened for annually?
a. Pneumonia
b. Tuberculosis
c. Legionnaire’s disease
33
End of Chapter
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