REVISION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (ALREADY
GRADED A+) (2024 UPDATE) 100% GUARANTEED
Why does emphysema cause a barrel chest - ANSWER- increased AP dimensions - inspiration
is normal initially but tidal expiration effected so with every inspiration, expiration isn't complete,
leading to hyper inflation
What is the difference between a 'pink puffer' and a 'blue bloater' - ANSWER- pink puffer =
increased reliance on accessory muscles
Blue bloater = respiratory centre relaxes leading to low oxygen saturation and cyanosis appearance
What is the purpose of serus fluid - ANSWER- allow lungs to glide over thoracic wall during
breathing
What keeps pleura together - ANSWER- high surface tension - advantageous as when chest
expands, lungs do as well
Is intra-pulmonary pressure normally positive or negative - ANSWER- negative
In what part of the thoracic cavity is the heart and major vessels found - ANSWER-
mediastinum
Pulmonary ventilation = - ANSWER- inspiration + expiration
Another term for intra pulmonary pressure - ANSWER- intra alveolar pressure
,What does intra pleural pressure oscillate between - ANSWER- -7 mmhg on inspiration and -
4mmhg on expiration
What does Boyles law state - ANSWER- when temperature is constant, the pressure of a gas
varies inversely with its volume
What is closing volume - ANSWER- the volume of lung inflated when small airways in the
dependant part of the lung begin to collapse during expiration. I an healthy individual, closing
volume is < FRC
What happens if FRC falls below closing volume - ANSWER- a reduction is FRC predispose
patients to atelectasis and if closing capacity > FRC the alveoli collapse during expiration (normal
tidal breathing) trapping air and precipitating atelectasis
Causes of low lung volumes/altelectasis (post surgery) - ANSWER- abodominal or thoracic
surgery, where it occurs mainly as a result of pain and inhibition of diaphragm, causing shallow
breathing. (other causes include, consolidation, airway obstruction, age and respiratory muscle
dysfunction)
Why is atelectasis worse in an obese patient - ANSWER- fat prevents adequate lung expansion
by squishing the thorax. V/Q mismatch also occurs
Why is atelectasis worse in an elderly patient - ANSWER- inadequate lung expansion results
for elderly not having the strength to generate a strong and healthy breath. History of a respiratory
condition such as CF or COPD or Asthma may have damaged airway or mucus may obstruction
airway. Compliance is less in an elderly patient also.
, Name 1 internal (affects alveoli directly) cause of atelectasis - ANSWER- consolidation (most
frequently caused by lobar pneumonia)
Signs of low lung volumes - ANSWER- - poor lung expansion
- decreased tidal volume
- breathlessness
- increased work of breathing
- decreased exercise tolerance
- alveolar collapse
- decreased breath sounds
- sputum retention
What are the 4 types of atelectasis - ANSWER- - obstructive - foreign body (intrinsic) or
tumour (extrinsic)
- passive = shallow breathing
- compressive = pleural diseases
- adhesive = increased surface tension = presence of pus/fluid reduces surfactant coating
Inspiratory physiotherapy techniques - ANSWER- - sustained maximal inspirations with holds
and sniffs
- localisation of expansion to particular areas of lung
- positioning