Respiratory

Learn the physiology of the respiratory system, how gas and pH homeostasis are maintained within the body and the pathologies that can affect the lungs.
Click a title to view the article on the topic and its associated quiz!
 

1. Anatomy of the Respiratory System

  • Identify the various areas of the respiratory system and their function
  • Be aware of the neuromuscular/neurovascular anatomy of the respiratory system and its surrounding area

2. Development of the Respiratory System

  • Be aware of a basic outline of the embryological development of the respiratory system and how this can lead to birth and further developmental defects
  • Understand the basic neonatal complications of embryological development
3. Ventilation and Lung Mechanics
  • Understand and define lung ventilation
  • Be aware of surfactant, compliance, surface tension and their impact on lung inflation pressures
  • Be aware of how certain lung pathologies can affect lung ventilation mechanics
4. Properties of Gas Exchange
  • Understand the principles of Boyle's Law
  • Understand the principles of partial pressure in gas exchange
  • Understand what determines the partial pressure of oxygen within the alveoli
  • Be aware of the factors that can affect diffusion of oxygen into and CO2 out of the alveoli
  • Understand the factors that affect the carrying capacity of haemoglobin
  • Be aware of how to measure the current oxygen saturation of a patient's blood
  • Understand the basics of continuous oxygen delivery to a sick patient
5. Carbon Dioxide Transport
  • Understand the role of carbon dioxide within the respiratory system, particularly in regards to its entry into the blood through the lungs and how it is transported around the body
  • Understand the role of haemoglobin and carbon dioxide in pH control within the blood 
6. Chemical Control of Breathing and Plasma pH
  • Understand how the levels of pO2 and pCO2 can influence breathing rate
  • Be aware of the buffering mechanisms and systems in place within the body
  • Be aware of the role of chemoreceptors in detecting changes in plasma concentrations
  • Be able to interpret an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) 
7. Lung Function Testing
  • Understand how lung function can be assessed quantitatively
  • Be able to read and understand spirometry tracing, including the meaning of key terms that correspond to lung function
  • Be able to read and interpret flow-volume curves
  • Be aware of specialised tests and how they are performed on a basic level
8. Pulmonary Embolism
  • Define the terms ‘embolus’ and ‘pulmonary embolus’
  • Recall the risk factors for a pulmonary embolus
  • Understand the pathophysiology behind a pulmonary embolus
  • Recall the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolus
  • State the common investigations and treatment for a pulmonary embolus
9. Asthma
  • Understand the pathophysiology of asthma
  • Be able to identify the symptoms of asthma
  • Be able to recall the definition of the various types of asthma exacerbation
  • Be able to recall the management guidelines for long-term asthma management
10. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Understand the diagnosis of COPD and its components
  • Understand the progression of the disease, diagnosis and potential treatments
  • Be aware of the management of an acute COPD exacerbation
11. Pneumonia and other Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
  • Be aware of and understand the basic pathology of a host of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs)
  • Have a good understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and severity scoring of Pneumonia
12. Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
  • Understand the definition, pathophysiology, presentation, investigations, management and complications of Bronchiectasis
  • Understand the definition, pathophysiology, presentation, investigations, management and complications of Cystic Fibrosis
13. Tuberculosis
  • Be aware of the pathophysiology of Tuberculosis and its transmission
  • Be able to pick up on the red flags for a potential TB infection
  • Be able to identify a lesion with a risk of TB on a chest x-ray
  • Be aware of the tests carried out for identifying latent/active TB infections
  • Know and recite the management of TB and the side-effects of the potent drugs used in this treatment
14. Pneumothorax and Pleural Effusion
  • Define and identify a pneumothorax, with basic management
  • Be able to identify a pneumothorax from signs
  • Define a pleural effusion and be able to identify its cardinal signs on an X-ray
15. Lung Cancer
  • Recall the statistics regarding Lung Cancer prevalence in the UK
  • Understand the symptoms, signs and red flags of Lung Cancer
  • Be aware of the types of lung cancer and how these can influence outcome
  • Understand the basic principle of a paraneoplastic syndrome and common Lung Cancer-related syndromes
  • Be aware of the basics of Lung Cancer staging and management
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The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is intended for medical education, specifically to biological/medical learning inclined individuals, and does not create any doctor-patient relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

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