Cari’s Story

A. An infection in Cari’s nasal passages and pharynx can spread into her sinuses because her sinuses are connected to the pharynx, larynx, and trachea and the infection will more than likely spread to those areas because it haven’t been treated in time.
B. The cough reflex is when there is a deep and long inhalation and the glottis closes afterwards. When this happens an exhalation pushes the glottis open and air is sent through the respiratory passages. Because of the mucus buildup in Cari’s lungs, her cough reflex.

C. Alveolar macrophage are the structures found in the terminal bronchioles and would normally protects Cari’s lungs from infectious pathogens and particulate matter. They hang around the alveoli and dust particles where the debris is collected. Since Cari is a smoker, the cilia in her respiratory passages became paralyzed and excess amounts of mucus were secreted; then, macrophages are sent to her lungs and goes in the mucus instead of fighting off the pathogens.

D. The resistance of Cari’s airways would be affected by excess mucus and fluid in her lungs because she would have problems getting the adequate amount of oxygen; the pressure of fluid and mucus buildup in her lungs won’t allow her lungs to expand in order to get the adequate amount of oxygen that her body needs.

E. Cari’s lung compliance would be altered as her alveoli fill with fluid due to pneumonia because she would have to use more effort for the get oxygen; the fluid buildup will cause increased airway resistance due to obstruction or collapse of airways.

F. Fluid in Cari’s lungs would affect her total lung capacity by narrowing the airway in which will increases resistance so that pressure can’t maintain the airflow.
G. By the elevation of Cari’s respiratory rate, it will alter her minute ventilation because of the shallow breathes; her respiratory rate would rise.
H. Her arteries have too much oxygen; a normal resting level should be about 94% without any additional oxygen.
I. The panting like a dog and hurting chest.
J. Because when Po2 is high, hemoglobin binds with large amounts of O2 and is almost 100% saturated.

K. It would cause her breathing rate to also decrease.
L. The administration of oxygen would enhance Cari’s central drive to breathe because the oxygen will go to the cells and capillaries allowing her to breathe better.
M. Her nasal cavity, nasopharynx, pharynx, and sinuses.
N. Because she didn’t get the medical help that she needed in a timely manner.
O. The toxins from the cigarettes caused Cari to develop chronic bronchitis which later led to abnormal lungs.
P. Her respiratory rate was elevated and she had a low oxygen saturation level; her chest x-ray showed fluid infiltrate was within the lungs and she was diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia. `