Anatomy and Physiology

Chest, lungs, and conducting airways Two parts:

Upper respiratory system consists of nose, mouth, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx

Lower respiratory system consists of trachea, bronchi, and broncioles

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Anatomy and Physiology

Alveoli - place of carbon dioxide-oxygen exchange

Inhalation and Exhalation - air movement in and out of lungs

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Common Signs and Symptoms Dyspnea Orthopnea Apnea Wheezing Coughing Nasal discharge

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Diagnostic Tests

Auscultation: breathing quality and rateTachypnea - rapid respirationsRales - musical sounds heard on inhalation

and often called “crackles”Rhonchi - rattling sounds in bronchi due to

obstruction

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Diagnostic Tests

Chest X-ray Sputum culture Tissue biopsy Bronchoscopy Arterial blood gases Pulmonary function tests

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Common Diseases of the Respiratory System

Most disorders of upper respiratory system are not life threatening

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)Most commonly caused by the rhinovirus

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Common Diseases of the Respiratory System

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)Treatment:

○ Rest○ Fluids○ Antipyretics and analgesics○ Antibiotics for secondary infections

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Common Diseases of the Respiratory System

Common Cold (acute rhinitis) Hay Fever (allergic rhinitis) Sinusitis Pharyngitis Laryngitis

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Diseases usually more severe than URIs

Many can be life threatening

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Acute Bronchitis - inflammation of lining of the bronchusShort term following URISymptoms include fever, tight feeling behind

sternum, productive cough

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Acute Bronchitis Treatment:

○ Rest○ Increased fluids○ Cough syrup○ Antipyretics○ Analgesics and antibiotics for secondary

infections

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Influenza - highly contagious respiratory infectionSymptoms:

○ Onset of fever, chills, headache○ Back and muscle pain○ Cough, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing○ Hoarseness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

InfluenzaViral and spread by coughing of respiratory

secretions

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Treatment for influenza is symptomaticRestAnalgesicsAntipyreticsAntibiotics only if secondary infection

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Group of pulmonary diseases due to cigarette smoking

Two most common types of COPD:Chronic bronchitis Emphysema

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Diagnosis:History and physical (Chest x-rays)Pulmonary function testsArterial blood gases

No cure

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Symptomatic treatment:Bronchodilator medicationsInhalersMucolyticsCough medications

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Symptomatic treatment:Avoid people with URIsFlu shotsPrognosis is poor

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

AtelectasisCollapse or airless state of all or part of lungCauses:

○ Surgical pain○ Fractured ribs○ Blockage of airway by mucus plug

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

AtelectasisTreatment:

○ Analgesics for pain○ Ambulation○ Frequent deep breathing and coughing

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

PneumoniaInflammation of bronchioles and alveoli due

to infection by bacteria, virus, or other pathogens

Pneumonitis is inflammation without infection

Symptoms related to area and tissue involved

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

PneumoniaDiagnosis is made after chest X-ray, history

and physical, and sputum cultureTreatment depends on cause

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Pulmonary AbscessCollection of infectious material within a

capsuleMay be complication of bacterial

pneumonia, aspiration of food, or a foreign body

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Pulmonary AbscessSymptoms: chills, fever, chest pain, coughTreatment includes long-term antibiotic

therapySurgical resection if area is large or

antibiotic therapy is unsuccessful

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)Infection caused by Mycobacterium

tuberculosisAcquired by breathing air infected with

bacteria or by coughing and sneezingDiagnosed by skin testing, chest X-ray,

sputum cultureExtended antibiotic therapy

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)Follows episode of severe traumaCauses acute respiratory failure needing

mechanical ventilationHigh mortality rate even with proper

treatment

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Diseases of the Bronchi and Lungs

Lung CancerLeading cause of cancer deaths in United StatesOften asymptomatic until it metastasizes to

brain, bone, and liverMost often caused by cigarette smokingSymptoms are dyspnea, coughing, hemoptysisDiagnosis: X-ray and tissue biopsyTreatment: chemotherapy, radiation, surgery

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Diseases of Pleura and Chest May be caused by infection, trauma,

other diseases Common symptoms: pain and shortness

of breath

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Diseases of Pleura and Chest Common diseases:

Pleurisy (pleuritis)Pneumothorax - air in pleural cavityHemothorax - blood in chest cavityPleural Effusion (Hydrothorax) - fluid in

chestEmpyema - pus in chest cavity

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Diseases of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) - sudden blockage of an artery by an embolism

Suffocation - not breathing to the point that the individual loses consciousness and eventually dies

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Diseases of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Suffocation Possible causes:

AspirationStrangulationDrowning

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Rare Diseases

Pneumoconiosis - environmentally induced diseases causing progressive, chronic inflammation and infection

Causes include:AsbestosisAnthracosis - Coal miner’s disease; black

lungSilicosis

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Rare Diseases

Fungal DiseasesCaused by inhaling an airborne fungusTwo forms

○ Histoplasmosis○ Coccidioidomycosis - Desert fever and valley

fever

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Rare Diseases

Legionnaire’s DiseaseBacterial pulmonary infectionNot limited to pulmonary systemMay cause liver damage and renal

dysfunction

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