The respiratory system

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 174-179
Author(s):  
Ian Peate
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Respiratory System ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Healthcare Assistant ◽  
Assistant Practitioner

Breathing allows oxygen to be delivered to internal tissues and cells where it is needed, as well as facilitating the removal of carbon dioxide. An overview of the respiratory system and its key functions is provided in this article. The upper and lower respiratory tracts are discussed. It is important for the healthcare assistant and assistant practitioner (HCA and AP) to develop an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and how it functions if care that is provided is to be safe and patient-focused. At the end of the article, a glossary of terms is provided and, to aid recall, a short quiz has been included.

Anatomy: learning the language

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 273-277
Author(s):  
Ian Peate
Keyword(s):  
Human Anatomy ◽  
Anatomical Position ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Anatomical Terminology ◽  
First Time ◽  
Healthcare Assistant ◽  
Assistant Practitioner

This article is the first in a series that focuses on anatomy and physiology. Human anatomy, just like any other technical subject, has its own vocabulary. When learning anatomy for the first time, it can sometimes feel like you are learning a new language. This article provides the reader with an understanding of the language used when discussing various anatomical concepts. The healthcare assistant and assistant practitioner (HCA and AP) will need to understand anatomical terminology accurately, so as to provide care that is safe and effective. The article addresses roots, prefixes and suffixes, anatomical position, regional terms, directional terms, body planes and body cavities. Each article in the series ends with a glossary of terms helping readers understand some of the terminology that has been used. A series of ‘test yourself’ questions is also provided.

The endocrine system: regulator of body activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 376-382
Author(s):  
Ian Peate
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Healthcare Assistant ◽  
Assistant Practitioner

The endocrine system has an important role to play in the regulation of body activities and does this in conjunction with the nervous system. This article offers the healthcare assistant (HCA) and assistant practitioner (AP) an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system and its functions; key glands are discussed. An understanding of the endocrine system can help the HCA and AP offer people care and support that is informed. There are a number of conditions that might affect the endocrine system and result in a negative impact on a person's health and wellbeing. The article includes a glossary of terms and a series of questions that can assist in learning.

The respiratory system

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Orr
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Respiratory System ◽  
Waste Product ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
Bronchial Tubes

The aim of this chapter is to provide an outline of the underpinning theory and relevant information needed to deliver safe and effective, family centred, evidence based care to the child or young person who presents with breathing difficulties. In is anticipated that at the end of this chapter you will be able to: ● Understand the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system. ● Discuss the concept of visual assessment of breathing, including monitoring and recording of respiratory rate, oxygen saturation levels, and peak expiratory flow rates. ● Explain oxygen therapy and the use of airway adjuncts. ● Reflect upon methods and equipment used for suctioning. ● Discuss tracheostomy management, care of intrapleural drainage, and endotracheal tubes. ● Apply the concepts and principles outlined relevant to the hospital and community setting. This is the system through which oxygen is breathed in from the external environment, either by the nose or mouth, and a waste product (carbon dioxide) is excreted. The respiratory system consists of respiratory passages, which carry air via the nose to the lungs, and a network of blood capillaries in the lungs. The respiratory passages include the nose, pharynx, larynx (voice box), trachea, two bronchi (one bronchus to each lung), and copious bronchial tubes, which divide and lead to millions of alveoli (tiny air sacs). There are two lungs either side of the heart in the thoracic cavity. They are made up of bronchial tubes, alveoli, blood vessels, and nerves (McCance & Heuther, 2006). Air containing oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is breathed into the lungs. This fills the alveoli. It is separated from the blood in capillaries by two semi-permeable membranes. These make up the walls of the alveoli and capillaries. Oxygen is at a higher concentration in the alveoli. It therefore passes from the alveoli into the blood. Carbon dioxide is higher in concentration in the blood, so it passes from the blood into the alveoli. Oxygen is carried in the blood in haemoglobin (red blood corpuscles). Breathing is the regular inflation and deflation of the lungs, maintaining a steady concentration of atmospheric gases in the alveoli (MacGregor, 2000).

Homeostasis: getting a balance

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 330-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Peate
Keyword(s):  
Building Blocks ◽  
The Body ◽  
Internal Environment ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Living Things ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Healthcare Assistant ◽  
Assistant Practitioner

The healthcare assistant and assistant practitioner (HCA and AP) must have an understating of how the body works and how it functions in both illness and in health, so as to offer people care that is safe, effective and person-centred. This series of articles offers the HCA and AP an understanding of how the human body works: its anatomy and physiology. The first article of this series ( Peate, 2020 ) provided insight into the terminology used in anatomy. This article focuses on homeostasis, how it is that the body maintains a stable internal environment regardless of the changes that occur externally. The third article considers the cells, which are the basic building blocks of all living things. The rest of the series considers each of the body's systems in turn. In this article, a definition of homeostasis is provided and examples are discussed as to how the body maintains homeostasis. The article ends with a glossary of terms and set of questions used as self-assessment.

The Respiratory System: Physiology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Yerxa ◽  
Cory J Vatsaas ◽  
Suresh Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Respiratory System ◽  
Oxidative Metabolism ◽  
The Body ◽  
Respiratory Physiology ◽  
Critically Ill Patient ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
Physiologic Mechanism ◽  
Acid Base Equilibrium ◽  
System Physiology

Respiratory system uses an elegant physiologic mechanism to support the metabolic demands of the body through oxygenation and ventilation. Oxygen must be absorbed and delivered to the tissues to sustain oxidative metabolism, whereas carbon dioxide must be expelled in a delicate balance to maintain an acid-base equilibrium. Complete understanding of oxygen content, delivery, consumption, and carbon dioxide elimination is essential as a provider caring for the critically ill patient. This review contains 13 figures and 25 references. Key Words: oxygenation, respiratory system, ventilation, gas exchange, haemoglobin, respiratory physiology, respiratory anatomy, oxidative metabolism, dead space.

СIRCADIAN RHYTHMS OF BLOOD GAS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (60) ◽  
pp. 34-38
Author(s):  
Горячева ◽  
Svetlana Goryacheva ◽  
Приходько ◽  
Olga Prikhodko ◽  
Кострова ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Respiratory System ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Tension ◽  
Capillary Blood ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Gas Composition ◽  
Blood Gas ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Partial Oxygen

Chronobiological aspects of blood gas composition in 24 patients with COPD were studied. To achieve this goal, the gas composition of the arterialized capillary blood simultaneously with the investigation of respiratory function was studied with an interval of 6 hours over 2 days. In healthy individuals and patients with mild COPD two types of gas composition of blood biorhythm – daytime and nighttime – were found. In patients with moderate, severe and very severe disease 3 types of biorhythm of partial oxygen and carbon dioxide tension – morning time, noontime and evening time were registered. In healthy individuals and patients with mild COPD gas composition of blood was characterized by significant degrees of freedom in relation to functioning of the respiratory system, which indicated the stored processes of adaptation to changing conditions of the external and internal environment. In patients with moderate, severe and very severe COPD at the moment of acrophase of circadian rhythm of lung function maximum partial oxygen pressure in the arterialized capillary blood was observed. During the batiphaze of circadian rhythm of the respiratory system the highest values of the partial carbon dioxide tension were revealed. Thus, it was found out that with the growth of the severity of the disease in patients with COPD abnormal rhythms of blood gas composition are registered; the dependence of circadian rhythm of blood gas composition on the functioning of the respiratory apparatus increases.

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