Question

emma Norton, 26 is admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation of her COPD

Using the knowledge of the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system, please answer the following questions below. Be sure to clearly label the different part

Part A

Emma undergoes a pulmonary lung function test. How would her total lung capacity test and her fev1/fvc values compare to normal physiological values

Part B

In hospital Emma is place on oxygen but develops respiratory depression. Explain why Emma stops breathing when she is administered oxygen

Answer 1

Part A)

Pulmonary lung function tests gives the measure of how lungs are in their working condition. Here, the total lung capacity(TLC) is the maximum amount (volume) of air the lungs can accommodate to be filled up or the Total of all volume of air present in lungs after maximum inspiration. The normal range of TLC is near about 4-6L .

The FEV1/FVC ratio also termed as Tiffeneau-Pinelli index . The Tiffeneau-Pinelli index is the ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first one second to the forced vital capacity of the lungs. This is the inference used for the computing the percentge of lung size in first second. The lower ratio (<70%) means that there is obstruction in the airways as in asthma, emphysema and COPD that would lead into the Decreased lung recoil pressure.

Part B)

Emma was admitted in the hospital for her acute exacerbation of COPD , this causes the Carbondioxide to retent in her lungs which led to respiratory depression .

Emma stops breathing when she is administered oxygen because in her condition with COPD when she administered with oxygen the hypoventilation conditions progressed into hypercapnia. The hypercapnia would ultimately lead to apnea and respiratory failure as the end result.