What do you mean?
What is the pharynx?
What does a Pulmonary Function Test look for?
Lung function and capacity
What is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and what does it cause?
A type of pneumonia where the lungs fill with fluid. Air can’t be exchanged effectively
Where are vocal cords found?
In the larynx
How is a throat culture obtained? (Only step 8)
A tongue depressor is used to hold the tongue down. A swab is inserted in the mouth of the patient and is rubbed along the tonsils and the back of the throat. The uvula should be avoided. Areas that are white of blistered should be swabbed.
Name the three types of respiration.
Internal, external, and cellular respiration
What can a sleep study reveal?
Sleep apnea
What can cause laryngitis?
Smoke and the overuse of the voice
Name the basic features of the respiratory system. (6 things)
Pharynx, larynx, lungs, trachea, bronchioles, bronchus (2).
How is peak expiatory flow rate measured with a peak flow meter? (Step 7 and 8)
The patient should take a deep breath, seal their lips around the mouthpiece and blow fast and hard. Afterwards, note the position of the marker.
What is pleura?
A two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs.
What equipment might an MA assist a patient with? (At least three)
Metered dose inhalers, spacers, nebulizers, and oxygen therapy equipment
What is bronchiectasis and what does it lead to? (Mention at least three symptoms)
This is a condition where the bronchial tubes are abnormally large. This leads to chronic coughing, thick sputum, recurrent pneumonia, and weight loss.
By which mechanism does inhalation occur through?
Expansion of the rib cage caused by the diaphragm flattening.
Name some guidelines an MA can educate a patient on in relation to the respiratory system. (At least 4)
Proper nutrition and hydration, exercising regularly, usage of respiratory hygiene, avoiding toxins, limiting outdoor activities when poor air quality is present, no smoking or vaping.
What is tidal volume?
This is the amount of air that goes in and out of the lungs during respirations.
What can a CPAP machine, in conjunction with lifestyle changes (among other things), be used for?
Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea
What is lung cancer, how is it diagnosed, and what are its symptoms?
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells or tumors grow/develop in the lungs. It's diagnosed through a chest X-Ray and sputum analysis. Lung cancer causes chronic coughing, shortness of breath, and bloody sputum.
How does a fetus receive oxygen?
Through the placenta and umbilical cord
Name the guidelines for CPAP equipment.
The CPAP machine should remain consistently used while sleeping, regular maintenance by cleaning mask and tubing, along with using the correct detergent, cleaning the air filter and letting it dry, replacing the mask and tubing, and managing supply refills.
Name and describe the lung sounds.
Crackles/Rales (rattling sounds), Rhonchi (low-pitched snoring sounds), and Wheezes (high-pitched whistling sounds)
What might a provider’s examination of the respiratory system involve and why? (The “why” is for two specific ones)
Lung auscultation, pulse oximetry (for oxygen saturation), walking tests (for exercise tolerance), and checking respiratory effort and skin color)
What are OTC analgesics used for?
Bronchitis
At what age do the lungs fully mature and what is the lung capacity, in liters, for a healthy person at this age?
Mature at age 20-25 with a lung capacity of 6 liters
How does one perform a pulmonary function test? (Only steps 8-16 after attaching mouthpiece to the spirometer)
8. Give a demonstration to the patient. Seal your mouth around the mouthpiece, take a deep breath, and then forcefully exhale into the mouthpiece for as long as you can.
9. Remove and discard the mouthpiece.
10. Remove glove and wash hands
11. Put new, clean gloves
12. Attach a new mouthpiece to the spirometer
13. Apply a nose clip to the patient's nose and instruct them on how to seal their mouth around the mouthpiece.
14. Instruct the patient to take the deepest breath possible
15. Coach the patient so that they keep exhaling as much as possible
16. Check the spirometer to check if the reading was noted and accepted (or not)