Common Manifestations of Impaired Respiratory Function
• Hypoxia
• Altered breathing patterns
• Obstructed or partially obstructed airway

Hypoxia
• Condition of insufficient oxygen anywhere in the body
• Rapid pulse
• Rapid, shallow respirations and dyspnea
• Increased restlessness or lightheadedness
• Flaring of nares
• Substernal or intercostal retractions
• Cyanosis

Abnormal Respiratory Patterns
• Tachypnea (rapid rate)
• Bradypnea (abnormally slow rate)
• Apnea (cessation of breathing)
• Kussmaul’s breathing
• Cheyne-Stokes respirations
• Biot’s respirations

Partially or Complete Airway obstruction
•Partial obstruction
• low-pitched snoring during inhalation
•Complete obstruction
• extreme inspiratory effort with no chest movement

•
Adequate O2 Balance
Example of Obstructive Disease: Asthma

Adequate O2 Balance
Example of Restrictive Disease: Hemothorax
•

Inadequate O2 Balance
Behaviors of Negative O2 balance
• Hypoventilation or
hyperventilation
• Stridor, audible sounds
with respiration, wheezing,
coughing
• Hypoxia
• Change in mental status
• Change vital signs
• Cyanosis
• Decrease in GI motility
• Change in renal function
• Hypercapnia

Nursing Measures to Promote Respiratory Function
• Ensure a patent airway
• Positioning
• Encourage deep breathing, coughing
• Ensure adequate hydration

Nursing Responsibilities
Physical Assessment:
• Lung auscultation and breathing
pattern
• Abdominal assessment
• Urine output
• Skin and mucous
membranes
• Heart sounds
• Circula
tion
• Edema
• DVT

Common Tests and Nursing Responsibilities
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Arterial Blood Gases (ABG)
• Pulmonary Function Tests
• Sputum culture
• growing microorganisms from sputum
• Throat culture
• growth of microorganisms from throat material

Common Tests and Nursing Responsibilities
• Tests to visualize structures of respiratory system:
• Bronchoscopy
• Chest radiographs

Common Tests and Nursing Responsibilities
Thorancentesis

Nursing Responsibilities
• Medications
• Incentive spirometry
• Postural drainage
• Oxygen therapy
• Artificial airways
• Airway suctioning
• Chest tubes

Basic Nursing Interventions
• Airway Maintenance:
• Facilitate effective coughing
• Suctioning airways
• Liquefying and mobilizing sputum
• Maintenance and promotion of proper lung expansion:
• Ensure the client changes position slowly
• Observe for symptoms of intolerance
• Perform ROM exercises with activity intolerance if is immobile

Cont…
• Auscultate breath sounds, monitor respiratory patterns, monitor
ABG’s
• Position client to optimize respiration
• Pulmonary toileting
• Incentive spirometry
• Suctioning

Cont…
• Encourage activity and ambulation as tolerated
• Encourage increased fluid intake
• Chest physiotherapy
• O2
• Medications as ordered

Administration of Prescribed Medications
• Expectorants
• Mucolytics
• Bronchodilators
• Cough suppressants
• Corticosteroids
• Antihistamines
• Antibiotics
• Vasoconstrictors