Respiratory System

Body Systems Respiratory System
Respiratory overview

Respiratory System

Respiratory conditions, evidence, coding, tests, medications, and related nursing diagnoses.

Conditions

Major respiratory conditions

Respiratory 6 sections

COPD

COPD is a progressive airflow obstruction from emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Exacerbations drive hospitalizations. GOLD staging guides management.

COPD emphysema chronic bronchitis
Respiratory 6 sections

Asthma

Asthma is chronic reversible airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. Classified by severity and control. Status asthmaticus is a life-threatening emergency.

asthma bronchial asthma reactive airway disease
Respiratory 6 sections

PNA

Pneumonia is infection of the lung parenchyma. CAP (community-acquired), HAP (hospital-acquired), VAP (ventilator-associated). PSI/PORT or CURB-65 guides admission decisions.

pneumonia PNA CAP
Respiratory 6 sections

Resp Failure

Respiratory failure is inability to maintain adequate gas exchange. Type I (hypoxemic, PaO2 <60): V/Q mismatch, shunt. Type II (hypercapnic, PaCO2 >45): hypoventilation.

respiratory failure acute respiratory failure ARF
Respiratory 6 sections

ARDS

ARDS is diffuse lung injury causing severe hypoxemia (P/F ratio <300), bilateral infiltrates, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Low-tidal-volume ventilation (6 mL/kg IBW) is standard of care.

ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema
Respiratory 6 sections

Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is fluid accumulation in the pleural space. Light criteria differentiates exudate (infection/malignancy) from transudate (HF/cirrhosis). Thoracentesis for diagnosis and symptom relief.

pleural effusion hydrothorax exudative effusion
Respiratory 6 sections

PTX

Pneumothorax is air in the pleural space. Spontaneous (primary: tall thin males; secondary: underlying lung disease), traumatic, or tension. Tension PTX is a life-threatening emergency.

pneumothorax PTX collapsed lung
Respiratory 6 sections

TB

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Active TB: infectious, systemic symptoms, cavitary lung disease. Latent TB: positive test, no symptoms. RIPE therapy for active disease.

TB tuberculosis mycobacterium tuberculosis
Respiratory 6 sections

OSA

OSA is repetitive upper airway collapse during sleep causing hypoxia and sleep fragmentation. Major risk for HTN, AF, stroke, metabolic syndrome. CPAP is first-line treatment.

OSA sleep apnea obstructive sleep apnea
Respiratory 6 sections

Mech Vent

Mechanical ventilation provides respiratory support via endotracheal tube or tracheostomy. Modes: AC/VC, PRVC, SIMV, PSV. Lung-protective strategy: TV 6 mL/kg IBW, plateau pressure ≤30 cmH2O.

mechanical ventilation intubation ventilator
Respiratory 6 sections

Vent Weaning

Ventilator weaning is systematic reduction of ventilatory support toward extubation. SBT (spontaneous breathing trial) with T-piece or low PSV. Assess: RSBI <105, adequate cough, follow commands.

ventilator weaning extubation SBT
Nursing diagnoses & care plans

Related nursing diagnoses

NANDA Care plans

Nursing Diagnoses & Care Plans

Open the NANDA tool to review nursing diagnoses and care-plan concepts related to respiratory conditions.