Many people wonder whether it is better to breathe though their nose or through their mouth; after all both ways get the job done. As a respiratory therapist, I recommend the nose. During inhalation though the nose, the turbinates increase the contact time between the mucosa and inspired air. As inspired air enters the… Continue reading Humidity and Aerosol Therapy
Respiratory therapy drugs are strictly used to only target the lungs and airways. To avoid unnecessary side effects, drugs targeting the respiratory system are inhaled instead of being directly injected into the bloodstream through IV, or orally by a pill. Many different pharmacological agents are used in respiratory care, but I will concentrate on the… Continue reading Pharmacology in Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory care involves as much physics and chemistry as it does anatomy and physiology. Ventilators are not just some kind of “lucky” investments; they are designed based on laws of matter and energy. Every treatment in respiratory has a purpose and is administered with caution because medical gases, such as oxygen, is medicine and can… Continue reading Physics and Chemistry in Respiratory Care
Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) is one of many ways to quantitatively measure the progression of lung disease. It is an important test measuring dynamic flow rates through the airways, lung volumes and capacities, as well as the ability of the lungs to diffuse gases. It is used before and after respiratory treatments to measure the… Continue reading Pulmonary Function Testing
Respiratory therapy means much more than just administering oxygen to a patient since the respiratory system works hand in hand with the cardiovascular system. In order to assess a patient and give proper therapy, a respiratory therapist needs to measure vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, level of consciousness,… Continue reading Importance of Vital Signs
Respiratory Care 