Unit 5 Case Study 1 Cari s Story
Cari’s Story
Unit 5 Case Study 1
AP2630
Rhonda Carter
July 27, 2015
A) How could an infection in Cari’s nasal passages and pharynx spread into her sinuses?
Mucous membranes of the nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and middle ear are connected by ducts in the throat.
B) What is a cough reflex? Describe the process that Cari’s respiratory system is using to clear her lungs by coughing?
A cough reflex has both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) components. Pulmonary irritant receptors (cough receptors) in the epithelium of the respiratory tract are sensitive to both mechanical and chemical stimuli. Stimulation of the cough receptors by dust or other foreign particles produces a cough, which is necessary to remove the foreign material from the respiratory tract before it reaches the lungs. A long drawn and deep inhalation followed by a complete closure of the glottis, which results in a strong exhalation that suddenly punches the glottis open and sends a blast of air through the upper respiratory passages.
C) Which structure found in the terminal bronchioles and alveoli normally would protect Cari’s lungs from infectious pathogens and particulate matter?
Macrophages are present (wandering phagocytes) that remove dust particles and other debris from the alveolar space.
D) How would the resistance of Cari’s airways be affected by excess mucus and fluid in her lungs?
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.
E) How would Cari’s lungs 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.
F) How would fluid in Cari’s lungs affect her total lung capacity?
Her lung capacity would go down because the air space is already
Unit 5 Case Study 1
AP2630
Rhonda Carter
July 27, 2015
A) How could an infection in Cari’s nasal passages and pharynx spread into her sinuses?
Mucous membranes of the nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and middle ear are connected by ducts in the throat.
B) What is a cough reflex? Describe the process that Cari’s respiratory system is using to clear her lungs by coughing?
A cough reflex has both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) components. Pulmonary irritant receptors (cough receptors) in the epithelium of the respiratory tract are sensitive to both mechanical and chemical stimuli. Stimulation of the cough receptors by dust or other foreign particles produces a cough, which is necessary to remove the foreign material from the respiratory tract before it reaches the lungs. A long drawn and deep inhalation followed by a complete closure of the glottis, which results in a strong exhalation that suddenly punches the glottis open and sends a blast of air through the upper respiratory passages.
C) Which structure found in the terminal bronchioles and alveoli normally would protect Cari’s lungs from infectious pathogens and particulate matter?
Macrophages are present (wandering phagocytes) that remove dust particles and other debris from the alveolar space.
D) How would the resistance of Cari’s airways be affected by excess mucus and fluid in her lungs?
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.
E) How would Cari’s lungs 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.
F) How would fluid in Cari’s lungs affect her total lung capacity?
Her lung capacity would go down because the air space is already