The Respiratory System

My physiology class is systematically taking me through every system of the body and relearning the entire system from a cellular physiological standpoint. Can you say TEDIOUS?

I just finished up 4 days of studying the physiological aspects of the respiratory system. Why is this important to a future midwife you may be asking? Well, I kinda did too, when I began my monumentous journey through all of the material including 2 APA papers on the subject. Well, I am always pleased when I am able to apply the learning I am doing on a practical level for my practice now as a nurse and later as a midwife.

The gem of knowledge I will take away with me from this lecture involves the physiological response to excess interstitial fluid leading to peripheral and pulmonary edema. As a nurse in a high-risk obstetrics department I often take care of patients with PIH and pre-ecclampsia. And, I always knew the importance of assessing for pulmonary edema vigilantly. However, I never knew the complicated and intertwined physiological processes that must happen in a cascade effect in order to produce pulmonary edema.

In a very short form, if interested, please read on:
When the renal system malfunctions by failing to filter sodium and water appropriately, fluid overload occurs. This can result in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Excess fluid volume increases hydrostatic pressure and pushes fluid into the tissues. And, when renal disease is present, there is a decreased production of plasma proteins which results in decreased oncotic pressure of the blood. In the absence of sufficient onconic pressure, the venous system is unable to facilitate enough reabsorption. This can lead to increased peripheral vascular resistance, creating an opposing force to left ventricular output. The result is pulmonary edema (Black & Hawks, 2005, p. 214). Additionally, the lymphatic system is altered as it usually helps to compensate by removing residual fluid from the tissues.

Really, very interesting...

Black, J. M. & Hawks, J. H. (2005). Medical-Surgical nursing: Clinical management for positive outcomes (7^th ed.). St. Louis, MI: Elsevier/Saunders