By: Erin Sventy, Ryan Cutro, Afnan S. Al-Raimi, Kelvin K. Opoku The utilization of mechanical ventilation in the neonatal and pediatric populations have proven to be clinically challenging, due to the wide range of sizes, weights, ages, and disorders. Traditional invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) has been a life saving device for many patients, but… Continue reading Should We Intubate?
By: Afnan S Al-Raimi, Erin Sventy, Ryan Cutro, Kelvin Opoku Airway clearance and lung expansion therapy for neonates and infants are conducted in intensive care units, the general floor and in home care. There are different methods of implementing these therapies for neonates and infants in comparison with adult therapy. Even though there is lack of… Continue reading Airway Clearance and Lung Expansion Therapy
By: Ryan Cutro, Erin Sventy, Kelvin Opoku, Afnan Al-Raimi CASE: Janet is a nine-year-old girl who has been in excellent health. She is on the girls’ soccer team at her school, is an excellent student and also excels at playing the piano. While playing with her friends in her backyard, she received a small scratch… Continue reading Discussion on ECMO
By: Erin Sventy, Ryan Cutro, Afnan Al-Raimi, and Kelvin Opoku During fetal development, the mother’s lungs provide the necessary gas exchange for the growing fetus through the placenta. The fetus receives the oxygenated blood from the mother, but most of the blood flow is shunted around the fetal lungs. These anatomical and physiological mechanisms… Continue reading Understanding Congenital Cardiac Defects
By: Erin Sventy, Ryan Cutro, Afnan Al-Raimi, and Kelvin Opoku Case Study: A 35 year-old primigravida, with uncomplicated pregnancy, was admitted to the hospital for induction of labor at 41 weeks’ gestation. Ultrasonography suggested the presence of oligohydramnios. Fetal heart rate monitoring disclosed both late and variable decelerations. Induction of labor with oxytocin was successful. A 3700-g female infant is delivered and… Continue reading Do Not Intubate Just For Suction
Introduction Patients suffering from asthma may avoid aerobic training due to exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.1 The limitation in daily activities due to asthma, can potentially lead to anxiety and depression, thus impacting perceived quality of life.2 The benefits from regular aerobic training should not go unnoticed because it can assist in weight management, lower the risks of… Continue reading The Effects of Regular Aerobic Training for Adult Patients with Moderate to Severe Asthma
By: Ryan Cutro, Erin Sventy, Afnan Al-Raimi, Kelvin K. Opoku Case: You are a respiratory therapist attending the delivery of an infant who is 28 weeks GA. Upon delivery, the baby has a 1-minute Apgar score of 7 and a 5-minute Apgar score of 9. The infant was placed in a warmer and a… Continue reading Nasal CPAP used in Neonates
Lung expansion therapy is used to prevent or reverse atelectasis, by helping patients achieve and maintain lung function. Untreated atelectasis can cause pulmonary shunting, hypoxemia, and even respiratory failure. Factors associated with the development of atelectasis include prolonged bed rest (especially in the supine position) or immobilization, heavy sedation, surgery or trauma near the diaphragm,… Continue reading Lung Expansion Therapy and Airway Clearance Therapy
The exchange of heat and moisture occurs in the upper respiratory tract, primarily in the nose. The inspired air is filtered, heated, and humidified before moving down through the lungs, in order to achieve the BTPS condition (body temperature, ambient pressure, saturated with water vapor). Unlike the BTPS condition, the normal ISB (isothermic saturation boundary)… Continue reading Understanding Humidification, Medical Gas and Medical Aerosols
There are three main phases of drug action that can be applied to the use of” bronchoactive” inhaled aerosols. The drug administration phase looks at the method of how the drug is given. Aerosol medications are directly inhaled into the respiratory tract through the form of dry powder inhalers (DPI) and aerosol liquid solutions delivered… Continue reading Understanding Airway Pharmacology
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