Respiratory Disorders and Alterations in Acid/Base Balance

Respiratory Disorders and Alterations in Acid/Base Balance

NR507

 

NR 507 DeVry Week 2 Discussions Latest

Week 2: Respiratory Disorders and Alterations in Acid/Base Balance,

Fluid and Electrolytes – Discussion Part One

This week’s graded topics relate to the following Course Outcomes (COs).

Analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

Differentiate the epidemiology, etiology, developmental considerations, pathogenesis, and clinical and laboratory manifestations of specific disease processes. (PO 1)

Examine the way in which homeostatic, adaptive, and compensatory physiological mechanisms can be supported and/or altered through specific therapeutic interventions. (PO 1, 7)

Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO1)

Describe outcomes of disruptive or alterations in specific physiologic processes. (PO 1)

Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO1)

Explore age-specific and developmental alterations in physiologic and disease states. (PO 1, 4)

Discussion Part One (graded)

A five-month-old Caucasian female is brought into the clinic as the parent complain that she has been having ongoing foul-smelling , greasy diarrhea. She seems to be small for her age and a bit sickly but, her parent’s state that she has a huge appetite. Upon examination you find that the patient is wheezing and you observe her coughing.

Write a differential diagnosis of at least five (5) disorders and explain why each might be a possibility and any potential weaknesses of each differential.

Why is it that the later in age this disease manifest itself, the less severe the disease is?

What tests would you run to clarify your differential and potentially come to a definitive diagnosis? If the same child was African in ancestry would this change your initial differential? Why or why not?

Week 2: Respiratory Disorders and Alterations in Acid/Base Balance, Fluid and Electrolytes

Discussion Part Two

This week’s graded topics relate to the following Course Outcomes (COs).

1 Analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

2 Differentiate the epidemiology, etiology, developmental considerations, pathogenesis, and clinical and laboratory manifestations of specific disease processes. (PO 1)

3 Examine the way in which homeostatic, adaptive, and compensatory physiological mechanisms can be supported and/or altered through specific therapeutic interventions. (PO 1, 7)

4 Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

5 Describe outcomes of disruptive or alterations in specific physiologic processes. (PO 1)

6 Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

7 Explore age-specific and developmental alterations in physiologic and disease states. (PO 1, 4)

Tammy is a 33-year-old who presents for evaluation of a cough. She reports that about 3 weeks ago she developed a “really bad cold” with rhinorrhea. The cold seemed to go away but then she developed a profound, deep, mucus-producing cough. Now, there is no rhinorrhea or rhinitis—the primary problem is the cough. She develops these coughing fits that are prolonged, very deep, and productive of a lot of green sputum. She hasn’t had any fever but does have a scratchy throat. Tammy has tried over-the-counter cough medicines but has not had much relief. The cough keeps her awake at night and sometimes gets so bad that she gags and dry heaves.

Write a differential of at least five (5) possible diagnosis’s and explain how each may be a possible answer to the clinical presentation above.

Remember, to list the differential in the order of most likely to less likely.

Based upon what you have at the top of the differential how would you treat this patient?

Suppose now, the patient has a fever of 100.4 and complains of foul smelling mucous and breath. Indeed, she complains of producing cups of mucous some days. She has some trouble breathing on moderate exertion but this is only a minor complaint to her. How does this change your differential and why?

Discussion Part Three

This week’s graded topics relate to the following Course Outcomes (COs).

Analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

Differentiate the epidemiology, etiology, developmental considerations, pathogenesis, and clinical and laboratory manifestations of specific disease processes. (PO 1)

Examine the way in which homeostatic, adaptive, and compensatory physiological mechanisms can be supported and/or altered through specific therapeutic interventions. (PO 1, 7)

Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states.

Describe outcomes of disruptive or alterations in specific physiologic processes. (PO 1)

Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO

Explore age-specific and developmental alterations in physiologic and disease states. (PO 1, 4)

A nursing student comes into your office because they are struggling with the concept of pulmonary function. They know you as an experienced FNP and so they are comfortable asking if you could clarify the terms residual volume (RV), functional reserve capacity (FRC), total lung capacity (TLC) inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), and expiratory reserve volume (ERV).

Give her a definition of each?

List three (3) disorders that can alter the residual volume and explain how they do so?

 

 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS 

Respiratory Disorders and Alterations in Acid/Base Balance

Introduction

Respiratory disorders are one of the most common causes of death. Respiratory diseases can be caused by a wide range of conditions including lung infections, lungworm infestations, airway inflammatory disorders and allergies. In this article we will examine how acid/base balance relates to these respiratory diseases.

Respiratory system disorders

Respiratory system disorders are common in acutely ill patients. They can be caused by other diseases or conditions, such as asthma, pneumonia or COPD.

The most common respiratory system disorder is pneumonia (bacterial lung infection). Pneumonia is usually a complication of another medical condition such as heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have a mild case of bronchitis then it will not cause any problems but if it gets worse then you may develop pneumonia.

Ventilation and perfusion disorders

• Ventilation and perfusion disorders

• Ventilation disorders are caused by a problem in the lungs or chest wall. These include:

• Diffuse lung disease (e.g., COPD)

• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

• Tuberculosis (TB)

Shunting; vascular obstruction

Shunting is a condition where blood bypasses the lungs. It can be caused by congenital heart defects, pulmonary embolism (blood clots in blood vessels), obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema, chronic bronchitis) or other problems with your circulatory system.

Disorders of the lungs

Respiratory disorders are conditions that affect your lungs. These include:

• Pneumonia – an infection of the lungs

• Bronchitis – inflammation of the bronchi (the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs)

• Asthma – an inflammation of one or both sides of the airway that makes breathing difficult and causes wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. If it persists for longer than 10 days it may result in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other lung diseases; it occurs when airflow is restricted in some way leading to permanent damage to your lungs.

Pathophysiologic changes of common pulmonary disorders

The pulmonary system is made up of the heart, lungs and air sacs. It provides essential oxygen to the body through respiration (breathing). When there are problems with this system, it can lead to respiratory diseases such as pneumonia or asthma.

In addition to these common disorders, there are also several other types of pulmonary disorders that may be present in your pet:

• Pulmonary edema – A buildup of fluid inside one or both lungs due to an increase in capillary pressure that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough oxygen reaching each cell. This condition may occur suddenly when you take your dog for a walk outside on a hot day; however if left untreated it could lead into heart failure later on down the road!

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – A narrowing (obstruction) of small airways resulting from long-term exposure over time which causes breathing difficulty due to excess mucus production by coughing up phlegm from deep within his lungs creating blockages along his bronchial tubes preventing adequate airflow through them causing him pain when trying breathe freely again!

Acid-base alterations in respiratory failure

Acid-base alterations are common in respiratory failure. They can be divided into two groups:

• Respiratory acidosis is a major problem in respiratory failure and causes an increase in the blood’s hydrogen ions (H+) concentration. This results in a drop in the pH of blood, which may lead to metabolic acidosis or even respiratory alkalosis.

• Respiratory alkalosis is caused by an excess of bicarbonate ions (HCO3−), which makes the pH rise above 7.35 mmol/L (7 mmol/L).

Takeaway:

• Hypoventilation is a condition in which the lungs do not have enough oxygen. This can occur due to a number of factors, including:

• Hyperventilation (excessively deep breathing)

• Shunting (when lung fluid flows through other body parts instead of going into the lungs).

• Obstructive lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Pulmonary edema, pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you to understand the underlying pathophysiology of respiratory disorders. In the event that you are ever faced with a respiratory disorder, we recommend seeking medical attention and treatment right away.