Gas Exchange Terms

dyspnea

breathing discomfort/ shortness of breath it is an individualized experience

orthopnea

dyspnea (shortness of breath) that happens during heart failure when someone lies flat.

paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

when people with cardiac or pulmonary disease wake up at night gasping for air

hemoptysis

coughing up blood, indicates infection or inflammation that damages bronchi

eupnea

normal breathing pattern

hypoventilation

co2 is being made at a faster rate than it’s expelled

hyperventilation

co2 is being exhaled faster than it’s produced

paO2

the pressure of co2 in our blood stream

the pressure of o2 not bound to hemoglobin in our plasma?

atelectasis

collapse of lung tissue

3 kinds of atelectasis

1. compression: external pressure, tumours, fluid, air, or abdominal distention.
2. absorption: removal of air from obstructed or hyperventilated alveoli or from inhalation of concentrated o2.
3. surfactant: decreased production of surfactant

what is the most common cause of pulmonary edema?

left sided heart failure

the cough reflex is stimulated by?

irritant receptors in the airway. they can be trigged by mucus, inflammation, or foreign bodies.

there are few of these receptors in the most distal bronchi and alveoli which means significant secretions without a cough being irritated, can lead to problems.

gas exchange

the process by which O2 moves into the body and Co2 exits.

cilia

in the airway, they keep out dust and debris

nose turbinates

warm and humidify the air

what percentage is atmospheric oxygen?

21%

where does gas exchange occur?

between the membranes of the capillaries and alveoli.

ventilation

process of air going in and out

diffusion

gases crossing the membranes high to low concentration

perfusion

how oxygen gets into the tissues,

well perfusion means oxygen is adequate getting in their tissues.

respiration

the process of what actually happens within the cells

what area of the brain regulates the rate and volume of ventilation

the respiratory control centre which consists of the medulla and pons

\-also lung receptors and chemoreceptors

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these are all responsible for slowing or speeding ventilation.

what substance is detected to increase ventilation?

when too much co2 is detected in the body.

compliance

the ability to expand/ elasticity

so if we say someone is non compliant it means the ability to expand is no longer present.

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ex: if someone has fluid in their lungs they wouldn’t be very compliant.