Objectives
Upon
successful completion of this guide, the learner will demonstrate
knowledge by:
- Stating
normal arterial blood gas values.
-
Stating normal venous blood gas values.
- Stating
the alveolar air equation.
-
Solving problems utilizing the alveolar air equation.
-
Explaining Fickıs Law.
-
Stating the normal value of hemoglobin for adults.
-
Defining methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, and oxyhemoglobin.
- Listing
the factors affecting gas diffusion.
-
Stating the amount of oxygen one gram of hemoglobin can carry.
-
Computing oxygen content.
-
Explaining why hemoglobin is not normally 100% saturated when
breathing room air.
-
Stating the normal saturation of hemoglobin in arterial and venous
blood.
-
Stating normal content of oxygen in arterial and venous blood.
-
Calculating problems to solve C (a-v) O2 difference.
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Explaining the significance of the oxygen dissociation curve.
-
Listing factors that shift the oxygen dissociation curve.
- Explaining
the significance of a shift of the oxygen dissociation curve:
a. to the right
b. to the left
Introduction
As
a respiratory care practitioner, it will be important for you to
understand the concepts of gas transport. This will enable you to:
-
Assess patientsı cardiopulmonary statuses.
-
Detect abnormalities.
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Understand the significance of abnormalities.
-
Develop care plans to treat the underlying abnormalities.
Included
in gas transport is the understanding of gas exchange at the alveolar
level. At the alveolus, oxygen (O2) crosses the alveolar-capillary
(ac) membrane to the pulmonary capillary. At the same time, carbon
dioxide (CO2) crosses from the capillary to the alveolus where it
is then exhaled. Abnormalities at this level may affect arterial
blood gas (ABG) values for O2 and CO2. By assessing various parameters
such as the PAO2, PaCO2, and the D(Aa)O2 abnormalities at the alveolar
level may be detected.
As
blood leaves the pulmonary circulation and is pumped by the left
heart into the circulatory system, gas exchange occurs at the cellular
level. It is here where tissues and organs receive oxygen and give
off carbon dioxide. Abnormalities at this level may cause certain
tissues or organs to be oxygen deprived. By assessing various parameters
such as the CaO2 or the av O2 difference abnormalities at the cellular
level may be detected.
Gas
exchange, both at the alveolar and cellular level, is a complicated
process. Many factors may affect the exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide. This guide will discuss the intricate, but fascinating,
process of gas exchange and transport.
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