NCLEX Review & Nursing School

RESPIRATORY TREATMENTS:

Chest Physiotherapy

•  – a technique used to mobilize or loose secretions in the lungs and respiratory tract.
• – usually is done to patients with Cystic Fibrosis disorders.

This is especially helpful for patients with large amount of secretions or ineffective cough.
Chest physiotherapy consists of:

– chest percussion
– postural drainage
– vibration

Oxygenation

Methods:

• Low flow systems: includes standard mask, nasal cannula & nonrebreather mask.
• High Flow Systems: Includes Ventura mask

Mechanical Ventillation:

Patients with pneumothorax (air in the lungs) would usually have SOB and chest pain.
The patient can also have tachypnea, cyanosis and have diminished breath sounds.

Assist Control (ACV)= the patient can initiate the cycle with respiration.

Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)= Increases the intrathoracic pressure.  Maintains positive pressure at intrathoracic level.

Continous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)= Would usually be used to wean patient off from ventillators.

SUCTIONING PATIENTS:

Remember:

• If client’s airway is not occluded, then hyperoxygenate patient.
• Each suctioning should not exceed 10-15 seconds in duration.
• Apply intermittent suction as you gently rotate the catheter when removing.

Complication of Suctioning:

• Discontinue suctioning if the heart rate drops to 20 bpm. or if the SaO2 drops below 90%.