“ASSESSING

RESPIRATIONS”
Prepared by:
MARIE CECILLE LIBERTY S. VARILLA
 INTRODUCTION
RESPIRATIONS – Respiration is the act of breathing.

 EXTERNAL RESPIRATION – refers to the interchange of respiration

of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli of the lungs and the
pulmonary blood

 INTERNAL RESPIRATIONS – takes place through the body; it is the

interchange of these same gases between the circulating blood and the
cells of the body tissues

 INHALATION –aka INSPIRATION, refers to the intake of air into the

lungs
 TWO TYPES OF BREATHING:
 COSTAL BREATHING –
thoracic, involves the external
intercostals muscles and other
accessory muscles; it can be
observed as the movement of the
chest upward and outward

 DIAPHRAGMATIC
BREATHING – abdominal
breathing; involves the contraction
and relaxation of the diaphragm,
 PROCESSES INVOLVED IN
RESPIRATION
 Ventilation – the mechanical movement of gases into and out of the
lungs

 Diffusion – the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the

alveoli and the red blood cells

 Perfusion – the distribution of red blood cells to and from the

pulmonary capillaries
 Gas Transport - blood transports O2 from the lungs to the tissues
and CO2 from the tissues to the lungs
 MECHANICS AND REGULATION OF
 BREATHING:
Inhalation: the diaphragm contract (flattens), the ribs
move upward and outward, and the sternum moves
outward, thus enlarging the thorax and permitting the
lungs to expand

 Exhalation: the diaphragm relaxes, the ribs move

moves downward and inward and the sternum moves
inward, thus decreasing the size of the thorax as the
lungs are compressed

 Respiration is controlled by (a) respiratory centers in

the medulla oblongata and the pons of the brain and
(b) chemoreceptors located centrally in the medulla
and peripherally in the carotid and aortic bodies.
 `
AGE RATE (bpm)
newborn 35-40
infants 30-50
toddlers 25-32
child 20-30
adolescents 16-19
adults 12-16
RESPIRATORY
QUALITY AND
CHARACTER
 EASE OR EFFORT
o DYSPNEA – difficult and labored
breathing during which the
individual has a persistent,
unsatisfied need for air and feels
distressed

o ORTHOPNEA – ability to breathe

only in upright sitting or standing
position
 BREATHE SOUNDS
o STRIDOR – a shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration with
laryngeal obstruction

o STERTOR – snoring or sonorous respiration, usually due to partial

obstruction of the upper airway

o WHEEZE – continuous high-pitched musical squeak or whistling

sound occurring on expiration when air moves through a narrowed
or partially obstructed airway
CHEST MOVEMENTS