Cari's Story

                                                 AP2630

                                Unit 5 Case Study 1: Cari’s Story

                                            Taru Dutton

1. How could an infection in Cari’s nasal passages and pharynx spread into her sinuses?

Mucous membranes of the nose, para sinal sinuses, pharynx and middle ear are connected by ducts in the throat.

1. What is the cough reflex? Describe the process that Cari’s respiratory system is using to clear her lungs by coughing.

Cough reflex is a long-drawn and deep inhalation followed by a complete closure of the glottis, which results in a strong exhalation that suddenly pushes the glottis open and sends a blast of air through the upper respiratory passages.   This process is clearing her lungs by forcing foreign bodies out of the larynx, trachea and epiglottis.

1. Which structures found in terminal bronchioles and alveoli normally would protect Cari’s lungs from infectious pathogens and particulate matter?

There are macrophages presents (wandering phagocytes) that remove dust particles and other debris from the alveolar spaces

1. How would the resistance of Cari’s airways be affected by excess mucus and fluid in her lung?

The lung capacity is decreased because the air space is already filled with mucus and fluids therefore she can’t take in enough oxygen.   The extra mucus and fluids put extra pressure on the lungs.

1. How would Cari’s lung compliance (the effort required to expand the lungs) be altered as her alveoli fill with fluid due to pneumonia?

The fluid makes it harder to expand the lungs because the fluid makes the alveoli sticky and unable to open/expand.

1. How would fluid in Cari’s lungs affect her total lung capacity?

Her lung capacity would go down because the air space is already being taken up by fluid.

1. How does the elevation of Cari’s respiratory rate alter her minute ventilation?

The elevation of Cari’s respiratory rate should increase her minute ventilation.

1. Normal blood oxygen saturation levels are greater than 94 percent; Cari’s blood oxygen saturation level was 90 percent at the time of her exam and an initial arterial blood gas analysis done when she was admitted to the hospital revealed her arterial Po2 was 54mmHg.  How do these clinical findings relate to the internal respiration in Cari’s body?

The clinical finding of 90% oxygen saturation level and Po2 of 54mmHg would show that the arteries are having too much oxygen, since a normal Po2 of a resting person is 40 mmHg and exercises lower Po2 levels.  A normal resting oxygen saturation level should be from 95-100%.

1. Which of the symptoms Cari has described are due to lack of oxygen and reduced oxygen exchange at her tissues?

Cari’s symptoms of “panting like a dog” is due to the lack of oxygen and reduced oxygen exchange at her tissues.

1. As Cari’s Pco2 rose, how was the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin affected?

The oxygen- carrying capacity of hemoglobin with rising Pco2 will decrease since CO2 will take O2’s place.