PowerPoint to accompany

Medical Assisting
Chapter 30

Second Edition

Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker

Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

The Respiratory System

Objectives
30-1 Explain the functions of the respiratory system.
30-2 Explain the difference between internal and external
respiration.
30-3 Describe how the larynx produces voice sounds.
30-4 List the structures contained within the lungs.
30-5 Describe the coverings of the lungs and chest cavity.
30-6 Describe the events that lead to the inspiration and expiration
of air.
30-7 Explain how the brain controls breathing and how normal
breathing patterns can be disrupted.
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The Respiratory System

Objectives (cont.)
30-8 List and explain various respiratory volumes and tell how
they are used to diagnose respiratory problems.
30-9 Describe how oxygen is transported from the lungs to body
cells.
30-10 Describe how carbon dioxide is transported from body cells
to the lungs.
30-11 Describe the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatments of
various respiratory disorders and diseases.

The Respiratory System

The major function of the respiratory system is

ventilation (breathing).
This system also functions to deliver oxygen (O2) to
the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide (CO2)
from the bloodstream.

O2
O2

O2

Exchange of oxygen
and carbon dioxide

CO2

CO2
CO2

Organs of the Respiratory System

Organs of the respiratory system:

Nose
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchial tree
Lungs
5

Organs of the Respiratory System

(cont.)
The Nasal Cavity

Nasal septum divides

the cavity into right and
left portions
Nasal conchae extend
from walls of nasal
cavity
Mucous membrane
warms and moistens the
air and cilia helps
eliminate particles

The Paranasal Sinuses

These are air-filled spaces

within the skull bones
Serve to reduce weight of
the skull and give your voice
a certain tone
Skull bones with sinuses
include:

Frontal
Sphenoid
Ethmoid
Maxillae bones

Organs of the Respiratory System

(cont.)
The Pharynx
An organ of both the respiratory and digestive system

The Larynx
Larynx also called the voice box
Moves air in and out of the trachea, and produces

voice
Composed of three cartilages:
Thyroid

cartilage
Epiglottic cartilage
Cricoid cartilage
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Organs of the Respiratory System

(cont.)
Vocal Cords
Stretched between the
thyroid cartilage and the
cricoid cartilage
Upper vocal cords are false
cords and lower vocal cords
are true vocal cords.
The glottis is the opening
between the vocal cords
The more vocal cords are
stretched, the higher the
voice pitch.

Posterior
Portion
of
Tongue

Glottis

False
Vocal
Cords
True
Vocal
Cords

Organs of the Respiratory System

(cont.)
Trachea

Trachea

Referred to as the windpipe

Tubular organ made of rings of
cartilage and smooth muscle
Lined with cells possessing cilia
Extends from the larynx to the bronchi.
Cilia moves mucus up to the
throat where it is swallowed.
Smoking destroys cilia.
9

Organs of the Respiratory System

(cont.)

Cone-shaped organs
Right lung has three lobes and the left
lung has two lobes
The membranes surrounding the lungs is
called the pleura
The lungs contain connective tissue, the bronchial tree, nerves, lymphatic
vessels and blood vessels.
10

Apply Your Knowledge

Which of the following sites would be the most lethal if
obstructed by a foreign body?

a. Right bronchus
b. Left bronchiole
c. Trachea

11

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer

Which of the following sites would be the most lethal if
obstructed by a foreign body?

a. Right bronchus
b. Left bronchiole
c. Trachea

12

Snoring
Occurs due to vibration of soft tissues when muscles of the

palate, tongue and throat relax.

Affects approximately 50% of men and 25% of women over
the age of 40.
Causes daytime sleepiness and may be associated with sleep
apnea.

Common Causes
enlargement of tonsils or adenoids
being overweight
alcohol consumption
nasal congestion
deviated nasal septum

13

Snoring (cont.)
Mayo Clinics Sleep Disorders Center rating

of snoring:
Heard from close proximity
Heard from anywhere in the bedroom
Heard from just outside the bedroom door
with door open
Heard outside the bedroom door with the
door closed
14

Snoring (cont.)

Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Snoring

Lose weight
Change sleeping position
Avoid using alcohol or medications that induce
sleep
Use nasal strips to widen the nasal passages
Use dental devices to keep airways open

Some patients may require surgery to remove excess soft

tissue or a portion of the soft palate.

15

The Mechanisms of Breathing

Inspiration

Expiration

Air rich in O2 enters the lungs

Air rich in C0 2 exits the lungs
The diaphragm relaxes
from the atmosphere
The diaphragm contracts or
The intercostal muscles lower the ribs
flattens
The intercostal muscles raise the
ribs
Breathing or pulmonary ventilation, consist of inspiration (inhalation) and
expiration (exhalation). The medulla oblongata controls the rhythm and
depth of breathing and the pons controls the rate of breathing.
16

Respiratory Volumes
Tidal
TidalVolume
Volume

Inspiratory
Inspiratory
Reserve
ReserveVolume
Volume

Expiratory
Expiratory
Reserve
ReserveVolume
Volume

Reflects the amount of air that moves in

or out of the lungs during a normal
breath
Amount of air that can be forcefully
inhaled following a normal inhalation

Amount of air that can be forcefully

exhaled following a normal exhalation
17

Respiratory Volumes
Residual
Residual
Volume
Volume

Vital
VitalCapacity
Capacity

Total
TotalLung
Lung
Capacity
Capacity

Represents the volume of air that

always remains in the lungs even after
a forceful exhalation.
Amount of air that can be forcefully
exhaled after the deepest inhalation
possible.
This measure reflects the total amount
of air the lungs can hold.
18

The Transport of Oxygen and

Carbon Dioxide in the Blood
Most of the bodys oxygen binds to

hemoglobin in the red blood cells. This

transport system is called oxyhemoglobin.
When carbon dioxide gets into the
bloodstream bicarbonate ions are formed and
some carbon dioxide binds to hemoglobin.
When bicarbonate ions reach the lungs, an
enzyme changes them back into carbon
dioxide and water.
19

Apply Your Knowledge

The medical assistant working for a general practitioner is taking the
medical history of a new patient. The patient states Even after sleeping
8 to 9 hours I still feel really tired. The patients spouse states, Well you
sure snore loud, as if the sleep is so good.
Which of the following is a possible cause for the excessive fatigue?

a. Periods of apnea
b. Depression
c. Tuberculosis

20

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer

The medical assistant working for a general practitioner is taking the
medical history of a new patient. The patient states Even after sleeping
8-9 hours I still feel really tired. The patients spouse states, Well you
sure snore loud, as if the sleep is so good.
Which of the following is a possible cause for the excessive fatigue?

a. Periods of apnea
b. Depression
c. Tuberculosis
21

Common Respiratory Conditions

Asthma is a condition in which the bronchial

tree becomes obstructed due to inflammation

Causes includes allergens, cigarette smoke,

pollutants, cold temperatures and exercise
Signs and symptoms include difficulty breathing,
wheezing, coughing, and a tight feeling in the
chest
Treatment include avoidance of allergens, steroid
inhalers, bronchodilators and stopping smoking
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Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi

May be caused by viruses, gastroesophageal

reflux, exposure to cigarette smoke, pollutants and
fumes.
Signs and symptoms includes chills, fever,
difficulty breathing, coughing up yellow-gray or
green mucus, chest tightness, wheezing and
difficulty breathing
Treatment with rest, fluids, cough medicines,
humidifiers, inhalers and antibiotics for smokers
23

Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)
Disease

Causes

Signs &
Symptoms

Treatments

Chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease

Cigarette smoke
and air pollution

Fatigue,
difficulty
breathing &
frequent
coughing

Lifestyle changes,
inhalers, stop
smoking

Emphysema

Cigarette smoke,
pollutants, dust

Chronic cough,
weight loss,
fatigue,
shortness of
breath

Stop smoking,
vaccinations,
antibiotics,
oxygen,
bronchodilators
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Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)
Disease

Causes

Signs and
Symptoms

Treatment

Influenza (Flu)

Numerous viruses

Runny nose, sore

throat, sneezing,
fever, chills,
diarrhea, loss of
appetite

Bed rest, fluids,

antiviral
medications

Laryngitis

Viruses, bacteria,
excessive talking,
allergies, smoking,
frequent use of
alcohol

Hoarse voice,
sore throat, dry
cough and throat

Antibiotics,
avoidance of
cigarettes and
alcohol

25

Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)
Disease

Causes

Signs and
Symptoms

Treatment

Legionnaires
Disease

Bacteria that grows

in air conditioning
systems

Fever, fatigue,
difficulty
breathing, chest
pain, headache

Antibiotics,
respiratory
therapy and
supportive
therapy

Lung Cancer

Smoking, exposure
to radon, asbestos
and industrial
carcinogens

Cough,
hemoptysis,
difficulty
breathing, weight
loss, chronic
hoarseness,
wheezing

Depends on type
of cancer and
stage but
chemotherapy
and radiation are
common
treatments
26

Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)
Disease

Causes

Signs and
Symptoms

Treatment

Pleuritis

Viruses,
pneumonia,
autoimmune
diseases such as
lupus, chest trauma

Fever or chills,
dry cough,
shortness of
breath, chest pain
during breathing

Pain medications,
antibiotics, antiinflammatory
drugs, removal of
fluid around the
lungs

Pneumonia

Bacteria, viruses,
fungi, parasites,
foreign matter
entering the lungs

Fever or chills,
headache, fatigue,
coughing up rustcolored, green or
yellow mucus

Rest, fluids,
antibiotics, overthe-counter pain
medications
27

Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)
Disease

Causes

Signs and
Symptoms

Treatment

Pneumothorax

Chest trauma, and

unknown causes

Tightness in the
chest, sharp chest
pain, rapid heart
rate, shortness of
breath

Chest tube,
surgery

Pulmonary
Edema

Congestive heart
failure, heart attack,
cardiomyopathy, heart
valve disorders, lung
infections, chest
injuries and many
others

Shortness of
breath, wheezing,
weight gain, pink
mucus, pale skin,
sweating

Oxygen
therapy,
diuretics,
morphine

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Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)
Disease

Causes

Signs and
Symptoms

Treatment

Pulmonary
Embolism

Heart attacks,
fractured hips,
cancer, long
periods of
inactivity

Fainting, sudden
shortness of
breath,
hemoptysis,
wheezing,
tachycardia, chest
pain

Support
stockings, clotdissolving
medications, anticoagulants,
surgical filter
insertion

Severe Acute
Respiratory
Syndrome

Viruses

Fever, chills,
headache, dry
cough, muscle
aches

Rest, anti-viral
medications

29

Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)
Diseases

Causes

Signs and
Symptoms

Treatment

Sinusitis

Bacteria, blockage Fever, cough,

Nasal decongestants,
of sinus openings sore throat,
nasal steroid sprays,
facial pain, nasal antibiotics
decongestion

Tuberculosis

Bacterium
Mycobacterium
tuberculosis

Cough lasting >3 TB testing, Drug

weeks, fever or therapy
chills, weight
loss, night
sweats, pain
when breathing
30

Common Respiratory Conditions

(cont.)

Sudden infant death syndrome has no specific signs or

symptoms and no known causes.
Risk Factors
More common in male infants
Babies between the ages of 2 weeks and 6 months are most susceptible
Premature or low birth weight babies are at risk
Babies with a sibling that died of SIDS
African American and Native American babies are at highest risk
Babies who were prenatally exposed to cocaine, heroine, or nicotine
Babies who sleep on their stomachs are three times more likely to die
from SIDS
31

Apply Your Knowledge

Which of the following diseases must all health care workers
be screened for annually?

a. Pneumonia
b. Tuberculosis
c. Legionnaires disease

32

Apply Your Knowledge - Answer

Which of the following diseases must all health care workers
be screened for annually?

a. Pneumonia
b. Tuberculosis
c. Legionnaires disease

33

End of Chapter

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