Respiratory Emergencies

irreversible and progressive leading to reduced ability to inhale and exhale adequately resulting in dyspnoea on minimal exertion and chronic cough

progressive and includes: destruction of alveoli failure to maintain alveolar integrity enlargement of air spaces beyond terminal bronchioles

reduced:: vascular surface area for gas exchange, elasticity and air trapping increased:: residual volume, resistance to blood flow chronic SOB and increased WOB barrel chest

inflammatory changes within the lungs excessive production of mucous caused by prolonged exposure to irritants lumen of bronchi becomes narrower as excessively mucous filled

severe reversible airways disease with increased airway resistance caused by bronchospasm, swelling of mucosal membranes of bronchial walls and hypersecretion of sputum that impedes air flow

alveolar hypoventilation ventilation oerfusion mismatch co2 retention

infeciton of lung may be bacterial, viral or fungal

droplet contact contact with infected persons aspiration of bacteria from nasopharynx

resp failure with acute lung inflammation, diffuse alveolar capillary injury

lungs wet, heavy, congested, stiff reduced alveolar perfusion

air collect in pleural space may be caused by trauma, intrinsic factors or may be spontaneous if air continues to collect in this space, the lung will not be able to fill adequately

dyspnoea tachypnoea chest pain pallor diaphoresis

inflammation of parietal pleura

exudate in the pleural space dyspnoea stabbing chest pain restricted breathing spasms on affected side friction rub

pneumonia pulmonary infarction tuberculosis an abcess of the lung or chest wall bronchial carcinoma

an excessive collection of fluid or exudate in pleural space fluid may be high or low protein content and this is used to classify condition

trauma death of pulmonary tissue (infarction) cancerous growth infections such as tuberculosis

common infectious bacterial disease often attacks lungs creates tubercules in lungs (pus filled areas)

occurs when pulmonary artery is blocked by a blood clot or other foreign matter

venostasis venous injury increased coagulability pregnancy multiple trauma

chest pain dyspnoea thoracic trauma

lung parenchyma cardiac size mediastinal size bony structures of chest wall

xray tube containing a cathode and anode emits an xray beam which passes through the body ionised radiation is absorbed by body’s tissues

beam passes through anterior surface first then through posterior