Respiratory Procedures, Airway Pressure Devices, and Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

Flashcards covering surgical procedures of the lungs and thorax, airway pressure ventilation devices, resuscitators, and supplemental oxygen administration techniques.

What is a pneumonectomy?

A pneumonectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of a lung.

What is a lobectomy?

A lobectomy is the surgical removal of a lobe of an organ, usually the lung, brain, liver, or thyroid gland.

What is a wedge resection?

A wedge resection is a surgery in which a small wedge shaped piece of cancerous lung tissue is removed along with a margin of healthy tissue around the cancer.

How does tissue removal in a wedge resection compare to a lobectomy?

A wedge resection removes less tissue than a lobectomy.

What is a thoracentesis?

A thoracentesis is a surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleural cavity.

What liquid, conditions, or substances is a thoracentesis performed to remove from the pleural cavity?

It is performed to remove liquid (pleural effusion), hemothorax, or air (pneumothorax) from the pleural cavity.

What is a thoracotomy?

A thoracotomy is a surgical incision into the chest wall to open the pleural cavity for biopsy or treatment.

Which organs can be accessed using a thoracotomy?

A thoracotomy is used to gain access to the lungs, heart, esophagus, diaphragm, and other organs.

What is video assisted thoracic surgery?

Video assisted thoracic surgery is the use of a thoracoscope to view the inside of the pleural cavity through very small incisions.

What is a thoracoscope and what procedures is it used for?

A thoracoscope is a specialized endoscope used for treating the thorax. It is used to remove small sections of cancerous tissue, obtain biopsy specimens to diagnose certain types of pneumonia, infections, or tumors of the chest wall, and treat repeatedly collapsing lungs.

What does CPAP stand for, and what is its medical purpose?

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is a non invasive ventilation device used in the treatment of sleep apnea.

How does a CPAP machine keep the airway open during sleep?

A face mask is connected to a pump that creates constant air pressure in the nasal passages, holding the airway open.

What are the primary therapeutic effects and limitations of a CPAP machine?

Although it does not cure sleep apnea, a CPAP machine reduces snoring and prevents dangerous apnea disturbances.

What does BiPAP stand for, and how does its pressure operation differ from a CPAP machine?

BiPAP stands for Bi Level Positive Airway Pressure. Unlike a CPAP machine, it can be set at a higher pressure for inhaling and a lower pressure for exhaling.

Which patient groups are typically treated using a BiPAP machine?

A BiPAP machine is used for sleep apnea on patients with neuromuscular diseases or those who find the CPAP machine uncomfortable.

What is an ambu bag or BVM, and how does it function?

An ambu bag or BVM stands for bag valve mask; it is an emergency resuscitator used to assist ventilation by squeezing a flexible air chamber to force air through a face mask into the lungs (a process referred to as bagging).

What is a ventilator and how does exhalation occur when it is used?

A ventilator is a mechanical device for artificial respiration used to replace or supplement the patient's natural breathing function by forcing air into the lungs. Exhalation takes place passively as the lungs contract.

Under what clinical condition is supplemental oxygen administered to a patient?

Supplemental oxygen is administered when the patient is unable to maintain adequate blood oxygen saturation level from breathing normal air.

What is a nasal cannula?

A nasal cannula is a small tube that divides into two nasal prongs used to deliver oxygen directly to the patient.

What is a rebreather mask and how much oxygen can it deliver?

A rebreather mask is a device that allows exhaled breath to be partially reused, delivering up to 60% oxygen.

What is the function of a non rebreather mask?

A non rebreather mask allows a higher level of oxygen to be added to the air taken in by the patient.

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy function to promote healing and fight infection?

It involves breathing pure oxygen in a special chamber that allows air pressure to be raised up to three times higher than normal, allowing the lungs and bloodstream to absorb more oxygen to be delivered throughout the body.

Besides promoting healing and fighting infection, what specific condition is treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also used for carbon monoxide poisoning.