After reviewing the material this week, I further understand how all body systems connect and affect each other. One pearl of wisdom I learned from your post this week is how emphysema causes pulmonary blood vessels to become destroyed due to increased pressure from vasoconstriction, thus causing heart failure, causing permanent holes in the lower lung tissue. According to John Hopkins Medicine (2021), once the damage to the air sacs from emphysema has occurred, the damage can not be repaired.
Additionally, another pearl I learned from your post was the administration of oxygen to a patient with emphysema. In researching this, I found there to be a “hypoxic drive theory.” You stated the respiratory drive was based on hypoxia, not carbon dioxide, and if given too much oxygen, their respiratory drive may fail. According to Downham (2021), “as chemo- receptors tolerate high carbon dioxide levels, patients now have lost that drive, their respirations will slow, causing a further rise in carbon dioxide levels and, thus, causing acidosis.”
I have cared for patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema in my current practice. These patients always appear to have respiratory depression more often than none. Additionally, patients with respiratory diseases must be particularly monitored after any sedating procedures or surgical procedures as their respiratory center is at significant risk for depression.
As a future Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, I am sure to encounter patients with emphysema. By using this information, recognize their oxygen levels and understand what is happening to them on the inside as the overinflation of the air sacs results from a breakdown of the alveoli walls( John Hopkins Medicine,2021). Additionally, as an APRN, it is essential to ensure implemented strategies align with their care management. Administering bronchodilators, corticoid steroids, and adequate pulmonary monitoring and rehabilitation can guide these patients to homeostasis.
Downham, J.(2021). Hypoxia Drive? No! The Critical Care Practitioner. Nurse Practionitiner online learning Blog https://www.criticalcarepractitioner.co.uk/hypoxic-drive/
John Hopkins Medicine. (2021). Pulmonary Emphysema: What is pulmonary emphysema? The John Hopkins University https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pulmonary-emphysema
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