NCLEX Review & Nursing School

The Respiratory System has the following basic functions:

• Movement of air in and out of the lungs
• Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Helping maintain acid-base balance

Diagnostic Tests:

• Bronchoscopy
• Pulmonary Angiography
• Thoracentesis
• Lung Biopsy
• Pulmonary Function Test

Respiratory Treatments:

• Chest Physiotherapy
• Giving Oxygen
• Mechanical Ventillation

COPD (Asthma, Bronchitis)

– Refers to respiratory conditions that causes obstruction in the airflow, such as:

• Asthma
• Emphysema
• Bronchitis

A complication of C.O.P.D is cor pulmonale (right sided heart failure).

Remember for NCLEX:

♣ NEVER give Beta Blockers to patient’s with asthma (causes bronchospasms.)

Emphysema

– enlargement and destruction of the alveolar tissue.

Assessment:

• Use of accessory muscles during respiration.
• Early symptom is dyspnea.

Bronchitis

• known as “Blue Bloaters” because of the dyspnea
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF)

– The lungs are unable to adequately exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide due to an insufficient ventilation.

Assessment:

• Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
• Use of accessory muscles when breathing
• Coughing
• Cyanotic

Pneumonia

– An infectious disease caused by several microorganisms.  Most common organism that cause this infection, includes: Staph. aureus, Strep. pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenza and etc.

Assessment:

• Cough w/ green rust colored sputum
• Rales or crackles
• Fever, Chills, Chest Pains
• Tachycardia, cyanosis

Nursing Interventions:

• Medication Regimen/ Antibiotic Therapy

Tuberculosis

– An infectious disease that is spread through an airborne route.

Assessment

• Weight Loss
• Blood Tinged Sputum
• Anorexia
• Night Sweats

Pulmonary Embolism

– An obstruction within the lungs due to a thrombus (blood clot) causing an impairment of gas exchange within the respiratory system.

• When a thrombus is loose and travels within the circulation, it is called an embolus.

Assessment:

• Dyspnea
• Tachycardia
• Chest Pain
• Tachypnea

Lung Cancer

Laryngeal Cancer

Pneumothorax

Lung Procedures

Respiratory Medications:

• Antihistamines
• Nasal Decongestants
• Expectorants & Mucolytic Agents
• Antitissives
• Tuberculosis Medications
• Bronchodilators
• Anticholinergics
• Glucocorticoids (Corticosteroids)