Nanda, Nursing Care Plan, Nursing Assessment, Nursing Diagnosis, Nursing Interventions

3 Changes in Respiratory Function


Breathing / respiration is the process of gas exchange between the individual and the environment in which O2 is inhaled (inspiration) and CO2 are discarded (expiration).

The respiratory system consists of a gas exchange organ is the lung and a ventilation pump consisting of the chest wall, respiratory muscles, the diaphragm, the contents of the abdomen, abdominal wall, and the respiratory center in the brain. In the resting state, respiratory frequency between 12-15 times per minute.

3 Changes in Respiratory Function

1. Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation is an attempt of the body to increase the amount of O2 in the lungs so that breathing more quickly and deeply. Hyperventilation can be caused by:
  • Anxiety.
  • Infection / sepsis.
  • Toxicity of drugs.
  • Acid-base imbalances such as metabolic acidosis.
Signs and symptoms of hyperventilation are tachycardia, shortness of breath, chest pain, lower the concentration, disorientation, tinnitus.


2. Hypoventilation

Hypoventilation occurs when alveolar ventilation is inadequate to meet the body's use of O2 or CO2 to issue enough. It usually occurs in the state of atelectasis (lung collapse).

Signs and symptoms of hypoventilation circumstances are headache, loss of consciousness, disorientation, kardiakdistritmia, electrolyte imbalance, seizures and cardiac arrest.


3. Hypoxia

Inadequate compliance cellular O2 result of inspired O2 deficiency or improving the use of O2 at the cellular level. Hypoxia can be caused by:
  • Decreased hemoglobin.
  • Reduced concentrations of O2, if being at the top of the mountain.
  • An inability to bind O2, as in cyanide poisoning.
  • Decreased O2 diffusion from the alveoli into the blood such as pneumonia.
  • Decreased tissue perfusion as in shock.
  • Damage / ventilation disorders.
Signs of hypoxia include: fatigue, anxiety, decreased ability to concentrate, increased pulse, rapid breathing and deep, cyanosis, shortness of breath, and clubbing.
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