RC 110 second half

Communication with Patients

• Different patients communicate differently

  • Some are very open, while others may be closed off

• Importance of evaluating not just the words, but the underlying condition

  • Example: An elderly man may dismiss serious health issues (e.g., leg loss)

Recording Lectures

• The instructor does not record lectures

• Students are permitted to take their own recordings if desired

Vital Signs Overview

• Importance of understanding vital signs

  • Vital signs include temperature, respirations, blood pressure (BP), pulse, and pulse oximetry (SpO2)

• Normal vital sign values are critical for recognizing abnormalities

  • Normal Respirations: 12-20 breaths per minute

  • Tachypnea indicates more than 20 breaths per minute

Variability in Normal Values

• Different sources may have slightly different normal ranges for vital signs

• The instructor will provide questions that are clear and outside the expected range for clarity

Focus Areas for the Exam

Terminology and Communication

• Knowledge of medical terminology is crucial for effective communication

  • Understand terms like pyrexic, tachycardic, hypertensive, etc.

• Focus on understanding terminology related to the cardiopulmonary system

Respiratory and Cardiac Terms

• Emphasis on conditions and terms related to lungs and heart for exams

  • Know respiratory patterns, breath sounds, and heart sounds well

• Example terms to know: febrile, wheezing, crackles, and stridor

Lung Sounds and Assessment

Breath Sound Identification

• Recognizing abnormal lung sounds

  • Wheezing: Narrowed airways (often due to bronchoconstriction)

  • Coarse crackles: Often due to mucus in the airways

  • Stridor: High-pitched sound indicating upper airway obstruction

• Fine crackles: Sign of atelectasis, indicative of alveoli collapsing

Importance of Assessment Techniques

• Auscultation should be thorough; assess all lung fields

• Recognize significance of different sounds in patient care

Gas Exchange and Oxygenation

Understanding PAO2 and PO2

• PAO2: Arterial blood oxygen pressure, the gold standard for assessing oxygenation

• SpO2: Non-invasive but has potential inaccuracies

• Students should know both PAO2 and SP02 values for testing

Calculating Lung Compliance and Airway Resistance

Lung Compliance

• Refers to the lungs’ ability to stretch and expand

  • Normal compliance is about 0.2 liters/cm of H2O

• Stiff lungs: Decreased compliance (harder to breathe in)

• Elastic lungs: Increased compliance (easier to breathe in, harder to breathe out)

Airway Resistance

• Increased resistance due to constriction or obstruction in the airway

• Important formula: Resistance = change in pressure / flow

  • Understand influences on resistance (e.g., size of the airway and secretions)

Summary of Key Values for Testing

• Bristol Blood Pressure: Normal 120/80 mmHg

• Respiratory Rates: 12-20 breaths per minute for adults

• Oxygen Saturation: Maintain awareness of normal and abnormal ranges

Resources and Next Steps

• Review of the syllabus and preparation for upcoming assessments

• Encourage forming study groups and seeking help when needed

• Q&A format available for further clarification during sessions

General Tips for Success

• Understand core concepts rather than memorizing answers

• Engage actively with instructors and materials to clarify uncertainties

• Utilize available resources, such as study groups and recorded lectures (when available) for additional learning support.