Respiratory Therapy Notes Review

These flashcards cover essential terms and concepts related to respiratory therapy and patient care.

Atelectasis

Collapse or closure of a lung resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange.

Clinical signs of retained secretions

Loose ineffective cough, coarse crackles, decreased breath sounds, tachypnea, tachycardia, fever.

Inspiratory Capacity (IC)

The maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal exhalation.

Pressure-cycling

Breath ends when preset pressure is reached, used for controlling mechanical ventilation.

Benefits of using CPAP

Recruits alveoli, improves oxygenation, increases functional residual capacity (FRC).

Cough assist indications

Patients with neuromuscular disease or weak cough, such as quadriplegia or muscular dystrophy.

Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)

Provides pressure to keep alveoli open at the end of expiration.

Description of postural drainage

Use of gravity to drain specific lung segments by positioning.

Optimal particle size for therapeutic aerosols

1–5 microns.

Main hazard of therapeutic aerosols

Potential reaction to the drug being aerosolized.

Huffing technique

Forceful exhalation through open glottis to move secretions.

Self-inflating BVM device

Refills automatically and does not need a gas source.

PEP therapy description

Patient exhales against fixed resistance to prevent airway collapse and mobilize mucus.

Indications for cough assist

Used for patients with weak coughing ability to assist in mucus clearance.

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) function

Provides mild positive pressure, improves oxygenation and humidity.

Recommended PEP use frequency

10–20 breaths, followed by cough.

Flutter advantages

Portable, self-administered, easy to use, no caregiver required.

MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler) instructions

Inhale slowly and deeply; hold for 10 seconds.

Description of IPV (Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation)

Pneumatic device delivering rapid, pressurized mini-bursts of gas.

Charting requirements for CPT

Record pre/post breath sounds, sputum characteristics, patient tolerance, and therapy outcome.

Contraindications for postural drainage

ICP > 20 mmHg, unstable cardiovascular status, recent facial or ear surgery.

Patient conditions benefiting from CPT

Cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, atelectasis from mucus plugging.