Week 6 Info - Week 6 Respiratory System In the United...

Week 6: Respiratory System
In the United States, there are currently more than 35 million people living
with a respiratory disorder; and each year, more than 400,000 people die as
a result (American Lung Association, 2012). The prevalence and impact of
these disorders makes it essential for advanced practice nurses to have a
solid understanding of the respiratory system. In clinical settings, you must
be able to appropriately diagnose, treat, and manage care for patients with
common disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. This poses
several questions: What are symptoms of respiratory disorders? How are
they diagnosed? Are some disorders more prevalent in one patient group
over another?
This week you explore the pathophysiology of alterations associated with respiratory
disorders. You also explore the impact of patient factors on these disorders.
Reference
American Lung Association. (2008). Lung disease data: 2008 . Retrieved from -
data/LDD_2008.pdf
Learning Objectives
Students will:

Analyze the pathophysiology of respiratory alterations

Evaluate the impact of patient factors on respiratory disorders

Analyze pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma
exacerbation

Evaluate the impact of patient factors on chronic asthma and acute asthma
exacerbation

Evaluate clinical considerations of chronic asthma and acute asthma
exacerbation

Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to alterations
of the respiratory system
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Learning Resources
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the
link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of
your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2012). Understanding
pathophysiology (Laureate custom ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Chapter 25, “Structure and Function of the Pulmonary System”
This chapter provides information relating to the structure and function of
the pulmonary system to illustrate normal pulmonary function. It focuses on

gas transport to build the foundation for examining alterations of pulmonary
function.

Chapter 26, “Alterations of Pulmonary Function”
This chapter examines clinical manifestations of pulmonary alterations and
disorders of the chest wall and pleura. It covers the pathophysiology, clinical
manifestations, evaluation, and treatment of obstructive lung diseases such
as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic
bronchitis, and emphysema.

Chapter 27, “Alterations of Pulmonary Function in Children”
This chapter focuses on alterations of pulmonary function that affect
children. These alterations include disorders of the upper and lower airways.