Alterations in Pulmonary Function

Cough, dyspnea, pain, abnormal sputum, hemoptysis, abn breathing patterns, hypo & hyperventilation, Cyanosis, & clubbing

*important reflex that helps clear the airways of large amounts of inhaled material, excessive secretions, or abnormal substances, such as edema or pus. *inability to cough- at greater risk for pneumonia *acute * chronic

cough that resolves within 2 to 3 weeks of the onset of illness or resolves with treatment of the underlying condition. It is most commonly the result of upper respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolus, or aspiration.

Has persisted for more than 3 weeks, although some researchers have suggested that 7 or 8 weeks is a more appropriate timeframe because acute cough and bronchial hyperreactivity can be prolonged in some cases of viral infection

*feeling of unable to get enough air- breathlessness, air hunger, shortness of breath, labored breathing, & preoccupation with breathing *DOE, orthopnea, & PND

*originates in the pleurae, airways, or chest wall. *most common pain caused by pulmonary disease and is usually sharp or stabbing in character *infection & inflammation

*coughing up of blood or bloody secretions. *Blood that is usually bright red, has an alkaline pH, and is mixed with frothy sputum

rate, depth, regularity, and effort of breathing undergo characteristic alterations in response to physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. Patterns of breathing automatically adjust to minimize the work of respiratory muscles

*induced by strenuous exercise or metabolic acidosis *characterized by a slightly increased ventilatory rate, very large tidal volume, and no expiratory pause

*characterized by alternating periods of deep and shallow breathing. *Apnea lasting 15 to 60 seconds is followed by ventilations that increase in volume until a peak is reached, after which ventilation (tidal volume) decreases again to apnea. *result from any condition that slows the blood flow to the brainstem

*inadequate alveolar ventilation in relation to metabolic demands *caused by alterations in pulmonary mechanics or in the neurologic control of breathing *CO₂ removal does not keep up with CO₂ production and Paco₂ increases, causing hypercapnia (Paco₂ greater than 44 mmHg)

*alveolar ventilation that exceeds metabolic demands. *lungs remove CO₂ at a faster rate than it is produced by cellular metabolism, resulting in decreased Paco₂ or hypocapnia (Paco₂ less than 36 mmHg). Hypocapnia results in a respiratory alkalosis

*bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by increasing amounts of desaturated or reduced hemoglobin (which is bluish) in the blood *generally develops when 5 g of hemoglobin is desaturated, regardless of hemoglobin concentration *insensitive measure of disease: pulmoney dis, cardiac dis, cold, & anxiety

*selective bulbous enlargement of the end (distal segment) of a digit (finger or toe) *graded from 1 to 5 *painless *commonly associated with diseases that interfere with oxygenation

*increased CO₂ in the arterial blood (increased Paco₂), is caused by hypoventilation of the alveoli *result of decreased drive to breathe or an inadequate ability to respond to ventilatory stimulation