LATEST OXYGENATION
SUMMARY
2025&2026
Your go-to hub for high-quality nursing
note,
summary and exam preps
, 1 Upper respiratory system -
OXYGENATION 2
The mouth, nose, pharynx, and larynx.
Lower Respiratory System
Course Outline - trachea and lungs, with the bronchi, bronchioles,
alveoli, pulmonary capillary network, and pleural
❖ INTRODUCTION membranes.
❖ ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM Air enters through the nose, where it is warmed, humidified,
and filtered. Inspired air passes from the nose through the
❖ PROCESS OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
pharynx. The epiglottis opens, allowing air to move freely into
❖ FACTORS AFFECTING RESPIRATORY FUNCTION
the lower airways. Below the larynx, the trachea leads to the
❖ ALTERATIONS IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION right and left main bronchi (primary bronchi) and the other
❖ OXYGEN THERAPY conducting airways of the lungs. Within the lungs, the primary
❖ OXYGEN DELIVERY SYSTEM bronchi divide repeatedly into smaller and smaller bronchi,
ending with the terminal bronchioles. Together these airways
INTRODUCTION are known as the bronchial tree. After air passes through the
trachea and bronchi, it enters the respiratory bronchioles and
Oxygen
alveoli where all gas exchange occurs. The alveolar and
capillary walls form the respiratory membrane (also known as
▪ It is a clear, odorless gas that constitutes approximately
the alveolar/capillary membrane)
21% of the air we breathe.
▪ It is necessary for proper functioning of all living cells.
The absence of oxygen can lead to cellular, tissue, and
organism death.
▪ Cellular metabolism produces carbon dioxide, which
must be eliminated from the body to maintain normal
acid–base balance.
▪ Delivery of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide require
the integration of several systems including the
hematologic, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.
▪ Oxygen is considered a drug and must be carefully
prescribed based on individual client conditions
Respiratory
▪ The process of gas exchange between the individual and
the environment and involves four components:
i. Ventilation or breathing, the movement of air in
and out of the lungs as we inhale and exhale
PROCESS OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
ii. Alveolar-capillary gas exchange, which involves the Pulmonary Ventilation
diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between
the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries ▪ The first process of the respiratory system.
iii. Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide between ▪ It is accomplished through the act of breathing:
the tissues and the lungs inspiration (inhalation) as air flows into the lungs and
iv. Movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between expiration (exhalation) as air moves out of the lungs.
the systemic capillaries and the tissues ▪ Adequate ventilation depends on several factors: 1 Clear
airways
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 2 An intact central nervous system (CNS) and
respiratory center
3 An intact thoracic cavity capable of expanding and
contracting
4 Adequate pulmonary compliance and recoil.
▪ In adults, approximately 500 mL of air is inspired and
expired with each breath. This is known as tidal volume.
▪ Lung compliance (the expansibility or stretchability of
lung tissue) tends to decrease with aging, making it more
difficult to expand alveoli and increasing the risk for
atelectasis (collapse of a portion of the lung).
▪ In contrast to lung compliance is lung recoil, the
continual tendency of the lungs to collapse away from
the chest wall. It is necessary for normal expiration.
▪ Surfactant, a lipoprotein produced by specialized alveolar
SUMMARY
2025&2026
Your go-to hub for high-quality nursing
note,
summary and exam preps
, 1 Upper respiratory system -
OXYGENATION 2
The mouth, nose, pharynx, and larynx.
Lower Respiratory System
Course Outline - trachea and lungs, with the bronchi, bronchioles,
alveoli, pulmonary capillary network, and pleural
❖ INTRODUCTION membranes.
❖ ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM Air enters through the nose, where it is warmed, humidified,
and filtered. Inspired air passes from the nose through the
❖ PROCESS OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
pharynx. The epiglottis opens, allowing air to move freely into
❖ FACTORS AFFECTING RESPIRATORY FUNCTION
the lower airways. Below the larynx, the trachea leads to the
❖ ALTERATIONS IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION right and left main bronchi (primary bronchi) and the other
❖ OXYGEN THERAPY conducting airways of the lungs. Within the lungs, the primary
❖ OXYGEN DELIVERY SYSTEM bronchi divide repeatedly into smaller and smaller bronchi,
ending with the terminal bronchioles. Together these airways
INTRODUCTION are known as the bronchial tree. After air passes through the
trachea and bronchi, it enters the respiratory bronchioles and
Oxygen
alveoli where all gas exchange occurs. The alveolar and
capillary walls form the respiratory membrane (also known as
▪ It is a clear, odorless gas that constitutes approximately
the alveolar/capillary membrane)
21% of the air we breathe.
▪ It is necessary for proper functioning of all living cells.
The absence of oxygen can lead to cellular, tissue, and
organism death.
▪ Cellular metabolism produces carbon dioxide, which
must be eliminated from the body to maintain normal
acid–base balance.
▪ Delivery of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide require
the integration of several systems including the
hematologic, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.
▪ Oxygen is considered a drug and must be carefully
prescribed based on individual client conditions
Respiratory
▪ The process of gas exchange between the individual and
the environment and involves four components:
i. Ventilation or breathing, the movement of air in
and out of the lungs as we inhale and exhale
PROCESS OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
ii. Alveolar-capillary gas exchange, which involves the Pulmonary Ventilation
diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between
the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries ▪ The first process of the respiratory system.
iii. Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide between ▪ It is accomplished through the act of breathing:
the tissues and the lungs inspiration (inhalation) as air flows into the lungs and
iv. Movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between expiration (exhalation) as air moves out of the lungs.
the systemic capillaries and the tissues ▪ Adequate ventilation depends on several factors: 1 Clear
airways
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 2 An intact central nervous system (CNS) and
respiratory center
3 An intact thoracic cavity capable of expanding and
contracting
4 Adequate pulmonary compliance and recoil.
▪ In adults, approximately 500 mL of air is inspired and
expired with each breath. This is known as tidal volume.
▪ Lung compliance (the expansibility or stretchability of
lung tissue) tends to decrease with aging, making it more
difficult to expand alveoli and increasing the risk for
atelectasis (collapse of a portion of the lung).
▪ In contrast to lung compliance is lung recoil, the
continual tendency of the lungs to collapse away from
the chest wall. It is necessary for normal expiration.
▪ Surfactant, a lipoprotein produced by specialized alveolar
