ADN 578: Assessment & Pathophysiology
Learning Unit 5: Handout
Exam Study Guide and Worksheet – Respiratory System
Review the respiratory defense mechanisms. Complete the following table to help you in this review.
Respiratory
System Defense
Mechanism
Primary Protective
Mechanism
Factors which impair
these defenses
Potential
Respiratory
Complication/
Condition
Air Filtration
Mucociliary
Clearance
Cough Reflex
Reflex
Bronchoconstriction
Alveolar
Macrophages
Review the concepts and pathophysiology of the following respiratory conditions.
Flail Chest
Pneumothorax Tension
Pneumothorax
Etiology (causes)
Risk Factors
Signs/Symptoms
Medical
Treatment
Priority
Nursing Diagnoses
Medication Used
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Pulmonary
Embolism
ADN 578: Assessment & Pathophysiology
Learning Unit 5: Handout
Review the table in your textbook; differentiate between the various types of breath sounds (crackles,
wheezes, pleural friction rub, stridor) and breathing patterns.
Identify the following assessment techniques and terminology; discuss their purpose and/or their
meaning if abnormalities are found; tactile fremitus, fremitus, egophony, bronchophony, percussion.
Identify the two primary drugs used in treatment for pulmonary embolism; which drug is used initially,
therapeutic levels and antidotes.
Identify patient teaching measures to prevent the recurrence of pneumonia.
Identify treatment measures for epistaxis.
Identify treatment measures to prevent a tension pneumothorax.
Discuss chest physiotherapy. Identify when it would be performed, procedures involved, and the steps
that complete.
Review the following diagnostic labs and tests. Complete the table to assist in your review. Identify the
purpose of the test; primary conditions used to diagnose; nursing indications for patient preparation;
and post-procedure monitoring.
Lab/Diagnostic
Test
Treatment
Significance in
Disease Purpose
Pre-op or pre-proc.
Care Nursing
Considerations
Spiral CT Scan
Bronchoscopy
Thoracentesis
Arterial Blood Gas
Allen’s Test
Chest X-Ray
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Post-proc. Care Nursing
Considerations
ADN 578: Assessment & Pathophysiology
Learning Unit 5: Handout
Look up the following drugs/therapies and identify the purpose and basic action, advantages, and
disadvantages in their use; primary and common side effects; nursing implications and patient teaching.
Pharmacology
Purpose and
Action
Advantages
Disadvantages;
Primary Side
Effects
Nursing
Implications;
Patient
Teaching
Albuterol
(Proventil) MDI
Advair Diskus
(fluticasone &
salmeterol)
Ipratroprium
(Atrovent) MDI
Review differences in assessment findings with various respiratory disease processes.
Disease
Process
Inspection
Palpation
COPD
Asthma
Pneumonia
Atelectasis
Pulmonary
Edema
Pleural
Effusion
Tension
Pneumothorax
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Percussion
Auscultation
ADN 578: Assessment & Pathophysiology
Learning Unit 5: Handout
Identify common nursing diagnoses for respiratory conditions, assessment findings supporting them,
goals, and interventions.
Nursing Diagnosis
Assessment Findings
Goals
Ineffective Airway
Clearance
Impaired Gas Exchange
Hyperthermia
Activity Intolerance
Imbalanced Nutrition:
Less than body
requirements
Anxiety
Acute Pain
Ineffective breathing
pattern
© Jana Ogden and Indian Hills Community College
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Nursing
Interventions