Gas Exchange

Flashcards about Gas Exchange, Nursing Actions, Vital Signs, Altered Perfusion and related terms.

Gas Exchange

Process by which oxygen is transported to cells and carbon dioxide is transported from cells.

Nursing Actions (Primary Level of care)

Promote Individuals’ healthy behaviors to optimize Gas Exchange

Nursing Actions (Secondary Level of Care)

Identify individuals at risk for impaired perfusion Gas Exchange

Nursing Actions (Secondary Level of Care)

Recognize when an individual is impaired

Nursing Actions (Tertiary Level of Care)

Respond with appropriate interventions

Problem-Based History

Onset, location, duration, severity, description, factors that alleviate, aggravate, other symptoms, and actions taken by the patient.

Vital Sign Interpretation

Breathing is quiet and effortless at a rate appropriate for age. Oxygen saturation (SaO2) is between 95% and 100%. Skin, nail beds, and lips are appropriate colors for the patient’s race.

Signs and Symptoms of altered perfusion

Cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain with breathing.

Arterial Blood Gases

PH, SaO2, PAO2, PACO2, HCO3

Upper Airway Medication

Antihistamines, decongestants

Ventilation Conditions

Narrow airways, poor diffusion in alveoli, inadequate tissue function

Transport Conditions

Availability of hemoglobin and the ability to transport oxygen.

Perfusion Conditions

Decrease in Cardiac output and tissue perfusion

Ventilation examples

Asthma, COPD, Premature birth

Transport examples

Anemia, blood loss, sickle cell

Interruption of Gas Exchange Common Causes

Congenital, Genetic, Injury, Inflammation, Infection, Life Style

Normal Process

Neurological System, Respiratory, Cardiovascular Systems

Results of Impaired Gas Exchange

Hypoxia, Ischemia, Infarct, Anoxia, Cellular Death

Age-Related Changes (Infancy)

Development of Surfactant Small airways and nose breathers

Age-Related Changes (Older Adults)

Stiffening and Thickening of Tissue, Decrease in elasticity of arterial walls of alveoli