ABGs/Obs
This is the normal PaO₂ range for a healthy adult.
What is 11–14 kPa?
This structural lung change defines emphysema.
What is destruction of alveolar walls?
This breath sound is commonly heard with alveolar fluid.
What are crackles?
This is the primary goal of supplemental oxygen therapy.
What is improving tissue oxygenation?
This brain structure contains the primary respiratory control center.
What is the medulla oblongata?
This explains why SpO₂ may remain normal despite rising PaCO₂.
What is oxygenation and ventilation are separate processes?
This change in lung mechanics occurs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
What is decreased lung compliance?
This physical sign indicates increased work of breathing.
What is accessory muscle use, retraction, tachypnoea, nasal flaring?
This long-term strategy has the greatest impact on COPD disease progression.
What is smoking cessation?
These receptors respond to changes in cerebrospinal fluid pH.
What are central chemoreceptors?
This acid–base disorder best describes a COPD patient with pH 7.33, PaCO₂ 8.0 kPa, and HCO₃⁻ 32.
What is partially compensated respiratory acidosis?
This is the difference between Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis.
What is damage to alveoli vs. inflammation of airways?
This spirometry ratio is reduced in obstructive lung disease.
What is FEV₁/FVC?
This intervention is central to managing chronic sputum production in bronchiectasis.
What are airway clearance techniques (e.g. ACBT, adjuncts, manual techniques)?
This explains why chronic CO₂ retainers rely more on hypoxic drive.
What is reduced sensitivity of central chemoreceptors?
These are the three lines of defence that maintain acid–base balance in the body.
What are chemical buffering, the respiratory system, and the renal system?
This describes inadequate alveolar oxygenation with normal alveolar capillary blood flow.
What is shunt in V/Q mismatch?
These are common clinical signs of a lung infection.
What are worsening shortness of breath, fatigue, pleuritic chest pain, and sputum production (possibly hemoptysis)?
These 2 are contraindications to vibes and shakes.
What are severe bronchospasms, undrained pneumothorax, # ribs, chest surgery (incision) premature infants?
This drug class depresses the respiratory centers.
What are opioids?
This ABG change is most concerning in a drowsy COPD patient receiving high-flow oxygen.
What is rising PaCO₂ leading to respiratory acidosis (CO₂ narcosis)?
This chronic process leads to pulmonary hypertension in COPD.
What is chronic hypoxic vasoconstriction leading to vascular remodeling?
These findings suggest impending respiratory failure.
What are altered mental status, severe dyspnea, rapid/shallow breathing, rising PaCO₂ and cyanosis?
This surgical option may be considered in selected patients with severe emphysema.
What is lung volume reduction surgery?
This explains why CO₂ is a more powerful respiratory stimulus than oxygen.
What is its direct effect on central pH?