Essays on Gas Exchange

Appropriate clinical reasoning ensures that the patient receives the right intervention at the right time and for the correct reasons (Rossiter, 2013). In addition, the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) guarantees that the chosen intervention is right in terms of effectiveness supported by research findings. The clinical reasoning cycle (Levett-Jones, 2012) is a useful framework to guide the clinical reasoning process. The purpose of this essay is to apply this framework in the planning of nursing care to address dyspnea in Mr. Thompson, a 70-year-old gentleman admitted to the coronary ward with congestive heart failure (CHF). This essay will ...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Introduction Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease also known as COPD is a group of diseases which make breathing difficult by obstructing airflow and causing other breathing related problems (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). This disease which is described by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) as progressive because it worsens over time includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma in some cases (CDC, 2013; NHLBI, 2013a). In developing countries, poor quality of indoor air is suspected to play a major role in the disease development and progression whereas in the Unites States, tobacco smoke is reported ...

Introduction

This paper aims at evaluating concepts of alteration in homeostatic state, secondary to temporal variables. It analyses the case study of Brad, a 45-year old coal cutter who has held the job for 25 years. Brad is experiencing a chronic cough due to prolonged exposure to coal. Importantly, he has not been attending yearly checkups because he fears that his lung is “black.” The disease leads to fibrosis, reduced diffusing ability, and dilation of the small airways. In the final stage, the airways, alveoli, and pulmonary capillaries become damaged.

How the disease described in the case study creates incongruous between ventilation and perfusion

Chronic lung disease may induce mismatch in ventilation and perfusion ...

Describe the underlying pathology of COPD and the common pathological characteristics of the condition. Discuss the impact these pathological changes have on normal function, including how alveolar ventilation might be different in Mr Wenham compared to a normal individual. The hallmark pathological attributes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are one, poorly reversible airflow obstruction and two, a progressive atypical inflammatory response within the lungs. The abnormal inflammatory response denotes the responses of the innate and adaptive immune systems to long-standing exposure to noxious gases and particles especially cigarette smoke. Notably, all cigarette smokers have some degree of inflammation ...

Introduction

Pulmonary edema (PE) is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the parenchyma and air spaces of the lungs. Most often PE is associated with respiratory failure and impaired gas exchange. Globally, PE is known to be characterized by two major factors, the first is associated with the injury of the lung parenchyma which is termed as non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. The second is associated with the failure of the left ventricle of the heart to release blood from the pulmonary circulation within the system and is termed as cardiogenic pulmonary edema (Glaus, Schellenberg , and Lang. 2010). The major cause ...