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The human respiratory system is a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon
dioxide. The primary organs of the respiratory system are lungs, which carry out this exchange of gases as
we breathe.
Red blood cells collect the oxygen from the lungs and carry it to the parts of the body where it is needed,
according to the American Lung Association. During the process, the red blood cells collect the carbon
dioxide and transport it back to the lungs, where it leaves the body when we exhale.
The human body needs oxygen to sustain itself. A decrease in oxygen is known as hypoxia and a
complete lack of oxygen is known as anoxia, according to the National Institutes of Health. These
conditions can be fatal; after about four minutes without oxygen, brain cells begin dying, according to
NYU Langone Medical Center, which can lead to brain damage and ultimately death.
In humans, the average rate of breathing depends on age. A newborn's normal breathing rate is about 40
times each minute and may slow to 20 to 40 times per minute when the baby is sleeping, according to
the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
For adults, the average resting respiratory rate for adults is 12 to 16 breaths per minute, according
to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Physical exertion also has an effect on respiratory rate, and healthy adults can
average 45 breaths per minute during strenuous exercise.
COMMON PROBLEMS
As a result of these changes, older people are at increased risk for:
▪ Lung infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis
▪ Shortness of breath
▪ Low oxygen level
▪ Abnormal breathing patterns, resulting in problems such as sleep apnea (episodes of stopped
breathing during sleep)
▪ Angina (chest pain caused by temporarily reduced blood flow to the heart muscle), shortness of
breath with exertion, and heart attack can result from coronary artery disease.
▪ Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) of various types can occur.
▪ Anemia may occur, possibly related to malnutrition, chronic infections, blood loss from the
gastrointestinal tract, or as a complication of other diseases or medicines.
▪ Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is very common. Fatty plaque deposits inside the
blood vessels cause them to narrow and totally block blood vessels.
▪ Congestive heart failure is also very common in older people. In people older than 75, congestive
heart failure occurs 10 times more often than in younger adults.
▪ Coronary artery disease is fairly common. It is often a result of arteriosclerosis.
▪ High blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension are more common with older age. Older people
on blood pressure medicines need to work with their doctor to find the best way to manage their
high blood pressure. This is because too much medicine may cause low blood pressure and could
lead to a fall.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
Provide oxygen as needed; maintain hydration and mobility.
Educate on lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter (OTC) medications for GERD.
Encourage participation in community-based nutrition programs; educate on healthful
diets
Prevent osteoporosis by adequate daily intake of calcium and vitamin D, physical
exercise, smoking cessation. Advise routine bone-mineral density screening.
Presented to the Clinical Instructor of
Notre Dame of Tacurong College
College of Nursing
________________________________________________________________________________
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Submitted to:
Ms. JONA PHIE D. MONTERO RN, MAN
Clinical Instructress
Submitted by:
RANAH E. PAUDAC
Date
August 16, 2019