RESPIRATIONS

• What is the act of breathing called?

  Respiration
• What are the three processes involved in respiration?

  • Ventilation: movement of air in and out of the lungs
  • Diffusion: exchange of gases from higher pressure to lower pressure at the alveolocapillary membrane
  • Perfusion: availability and movement of blood for gas transport
• What is ventilation in the context of respiration?

  Movement of air in and out of the lungs
• What are the two phases of ventilation?

  Inhalation (inspiration) and exhalation (expiration)
• What is diffusion in respiration?

  Exchange of gases from higher pressure to lower pressure
• Where does diffusion occur in the respiratory system?

  At the alveolocapillary membrane
• What is perfusion in the context of respiration?

  Availability and movement of blood for transport of gases
• What are the two types of breathing?

  • Costal (thoracic): involves external intercostal muscles and accessory muscles
  • Diaphragmatic (abdominal): involves contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm
• What is the primary respiratory center in the brain?

  Medulla Oblongata
• What is the primary chemical stimulus for breathing?

  CO2 (carbon dioxide)
• What is the role of the pons in respiration?

  It contains the pneumotaxic center for rhythmic breathing and the apneustic center for deep prolonged inspiration
• What do the carotid and aortic bodies contain?

  Pheripheral chemoreceptors sensitive to O2 and CO2 levels in the blood
• What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?

  12-20 breaths per minute
• How is the depth of respiration assessed?

  Through the movement of the chest, described as normal, deep, or shallow
• What does the rhythm of respiration refer to?

  The regularity of expirations and inspirations
• What does the quality or character of respiration refer to?

  Respiratory effort and sound of breath
• What are some factors that affect respiratory rate?

  Exercise, stress, environment, increased altitude, and medications
• What is tachypnea?

  Quick, shallow breaths (>20 cpm)
• What is bradypnea?

  Abnormally slow breathing (<12 cpm)
• What does apnea refer to?

  Cessation of breathing
• What is hyperventilation?

  Rapid, deep breathing
• What does hypoventilation mean?

  Shallow respirations
• What characterizes Cheyne-Stokes respiration?

  Very deep to very shallow breathing followed by temporary apnea
• What is Kussmaul's breathing pattern?

  Rapid, deep, and labored breathing
• What does dyspnea refer to?

  Difficult and labored breathing
• What is orthopnea?

  Ability to breathe only in an upright sitting or standing position
• What does stridor sound like?

  A shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration
• What is stertor?

  Snoring or sonorous respiration
• What does wheeze refer to?

  A high-pitched musical squeak or whistling sound occurring on expiration
• What does bubbling refer to in respiratory terms?

  Gurgling sounds heard as air passes through moist secretions in the respiratory tract
• What are Biot's (cluster) respirations?

  Shallow breaths interrupted by apnea