Content area
Full text
Summary
Respiratory disorders are among the most common reasons for admission to critical care units in the UK. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that nursing assessment of patients' respiratory function is not performed well because it is not considered a priority and the implications of respiratory dysfunction are underestimated. It is essential that nurses are able to recognise and assess symptoms of respiratory dysfunction to provide early, effective and appropriate interventions, thus improving patient outcomes. This article highlights the role of the nurse in respiratory assessment and discusses the implications of clinical findings.
Keywords
Patient assessment; Respiratory system and disorders
These keywords are based on the subject headings from the British Nursing Index. This article has been subject to double-blind review. For author and research article guidelines visit the Nursing Standard home page at www.nursing-standard.co.uk. For related articles visit our online archive and search using the keywords.
Aim and intended learning outcomes
The aim of this article is to enable readers to understand respiratory physiology and assessment, focusing on the signs and symptoms of respiratory dysfunction and appropriate interventions.
After reading this article you should be able to:
* Understand respiratory physiology.
* Assess respiratory status appropriately and correctly.
* Identify signs of hypoxaemia and hypercapnia.
* Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of type I and II respiratory failure.
* Initiate appropriate nursing interventions for a patient experiencing respiratory difficulties.
Introduction
Deterioration of respiratory function is one of the major causes of critical illness in the UK (Department of Health 2000). The primary purpose of respiratory assessment is to determine the adequacy of gas exchange, that is, oxygenation of the tissues and excretion of carbon dioxide. By undertaking a full and systematic assessment of the patient's respiratory status, nursing staffare in a prime position to act on findings and ensure that appropriate medical and/or nursing interventions are initiated. A glossary is provided in Box 1.
Time out 1
Consulting an anatomy and physiology book, draw and label a diagram of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Explain the process of gaseous exchange in the lungs.
Respiratory physiology
The main function of the respiratory system is to provide life-sustaining oxygen to all cells in the body and to remove carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cellular metabolism. The...