Respiratory System Alternate Assignment Week 2 Advanced Physical Assessment (NR 509)

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: ALTERNATE ASSIGNMENT 2 discussion for this assignment. In addition to providing the body with oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide, the respiratory system plays a key role in homeostasis by contributing to pH balance, temperature control, and disease prevention. These topics will be further discussed throughout this paper among the following sections: pathophysiology, subjective data collection, objective data collection, examination procedures, special population considerations, disease processes, and conclusion. Physiology of the Body System The respiratory system is comprised of several organs and is usually viewed as two tracts: the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The upper respiratory tract includes the nose and nasal cavity, sinuses, and pharynx. These structures are often referred to as conducting organs, the function of which is to move air throughout into and out of the system. The upper respiratory structures do not perform gas exchange, they play the role of warming and moistening the air entering the body, as well as filtering out potentially infectious or harmful particles and debris. The larynx is most well-known as the "voice box", but also serves as the gateway to the lungs, letting air in and out and sealing shut to prevent aspiration and choking. From the larynx, the trachea provides structure to support the airway and ultimately divides into the main stem bronchi in the lower respiratory tract. Each bronchi leads to the main organs of the respiratory system: the lungs. The lungs are divided into lobes with the right lung having three lobes and left lung having two to allow room for the heart. Each lung is comprised of alveoli, alveolar ducts, and alveolar sacs which are responsible for performing gas exchange (McCance, Huether, Brashers, & Rote, 2013). Though the lungs are often the sole organ credited with respiration, all of these structures must function together to effectively complete each step in the cycle of respiration.