Are you looking for a study guide on Humidity and Bland Aerosol Therapy? If so, then you’re in the right place. The practice questions found in this study guide cover everything you need to know for Egan’s Chapter 38 to help you ace your exams.
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If your Respiratory Therapy program is like mine, then you probably use the Egan’s Workbook as well. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a solid workbook that can be helpful at times. My biggest problem was the fact that it takes entirely too long to look up all the answers! Can you relate?
To help with that, we looked up all the answers for you so that you no longer have to waste any more of your valuable time. So if you want access to all the Egan’s Workbook Answers, be sure to check out our Workbook Helper. 🙂
Humidity and Bland Aerosol Therapy Practice Questions:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| %RH= content/capacity times 100 | |
| Where is the isothermic saturation boundary ( ISB) | Normally 5cm below the carina this can move up and down depending on how hard the nose has to work. The more work the nose does the ISB moves down. The less work the nose does the ISB moves up |
| What happens above the ISB | temp and relative humidity decrease during |
| What happens below the ISB | Temp. And relative humidity remain constant |
| When does the ISB shift dismally (farther down) | When someone breaths dry cold air, airway is bypassed, minute ventilation is higher than normal |
| What is absolute humidity | The weight of the moisture. The amount of water in given volume of gas. Expressed in mg/l |
| What is relative humidity | The ratio between the amount of water in given volume of gas and maximum amount it is capable of holding at that temp. |
| What is the capacity of water at body temp | 44mg/ |
| What is the formula for body humidity | Absolute humidity/ 44mg/l times 100 |
| What is a humidity deficit | Inspired air that is not fully saturated at body temp anything lower than 44mg/l |
| What is the formula for humidity deficit | 44mg/l-absolute humidity |
| What are the indications for humidification and warming of | Dry gases that are at a flow greater than 4./min, following incubation of a patient, managing hypothermia, treating bronchospasm caused by cold air. |
| What is a humidifier | device that adds molecular water to gas, occurring by the evaporation of water from a surface |
| What are the factors that effect a humidifiers function | Temp, the higher the temp of a gas the more water it can hold, surface area, time of contact, thermal mass-the greater the amount of water in humidifier the greater the thermal mass |
| Types of humidifiers | Bubble, Passover, wick, HME,cascade |
| How much dead space does an HME add | 30-90 ml |
| Types of heating elements that require an electrical source | Hot plate, wraparound, yolk or collar element, immersion type, heated wire- vent. circuit |
| What amount humidity is used for incubated patients | At lease 30 mg/l |
| Problems with condensation | Poses risk to patient and caregiver, waste water, occluded gas flow through circuit, be aspirated can be prevented with water traps. Placed at low points so its away from patient |
| What piece of equipment is used to measure the humidity | hygrometer |
| What is bland aerosol | Consists of liquid particles suspended in a gas, sterile water and sterile saline can be used. |
| How much can | 26-35 mg h2o/l |
| How much can a heated large volume nebulizer put out | 35-55 mg h2o/l |
| What is | |
| What does the amplitude do to the ultrasonic nebulizer | Directly affects |
| Types of aerosol masks | Aerosol mask, trach collar, t- |
| What kind of solution is used in sputum induction | 3- 10% hypersonic saline solution |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the primary role of the upper airway? | Heat-moisture exchange |
| What is the most effective humidifier/heater on the body? | Nose |
| What puts stress on the lower airway in order to provide heat and moisture? | Artificial airway |
| Administration of dry medical gases at flows greater than 4 L/min. are necessary. True/False | True |
| Following intubation of a patient, it is indicated that the patient needs humidification and warming of inspired gases. True/False | True |
| What is a device that adds molecular water to gas? | Humidifier |
| Humidifiers work by… | Evaporating water from a surface. |
| The higher the temperature of the gas in the humidifier… | The more water it can hold. |
| When | True |
| Evaporation does not increase as contact time increases. True/False | False (decrease the temperature of |
| What type of humidifier breaks an underwater gas stream into small bubbles? | Bubble humidifier |
| Are bubble humidifiers normally heated? | No |
| The goal of a bubble humidifier is to… | Raise the water vapor content of the gas to ambient levels. |
| What type of humidifier directs gas over a water surface? | Passover (blow-by) |
| What type of humidifier is normally used for mechanical ventilation? | Reservoir |
| What type of humidifier does not have bubbles or aerosol and has a tube coming out the top end? | Wick |
| What type of humidifier allows vapor to pass, but not water? | Membrane (hydrophobic membrane) |
| What kind of patients use a Passover humidifier? | Patients on home CPAP units/neonatal nursery |
| Passover humidifiers have a high efficiency and high exposure time. True/False | False (low efficiency/low exposure time) |
| What type of humidifier deals with | Jet |
| What is | When gas in a tube exerts lateral wall pressure due to the gas velocity |
| What type of humidifier uses a filter? | Heat-moisture exchangers (HME) |
| What type of humidifier is known as the “artificial nose?” | HME |
| HMEs do not add heat or water to the system. True/False | True |
| What does an HME do? | Captures exhaled heat and moisture which is then applied to the subsequent inhalation (holds patient’s own heat & water) |
| How often is an HME changed? | Every 24 hours |
| In bubble and | The water output (absolute humidity) |
| Heating systems are usually used for what type of patients? | Patients with bypassed upper airways and those on mechanical ventilation |
| What is a risk that patients are exposed to when inhaling heated gases? | Airway burns |
| Heated humidifiers can evaporate more than… | 1 L/day |
| To avoid constant refilling, large water reservoirs and gravity feed systems exist. True/False | True |
| How much humidity is recommended for intubated patients? | 30 mg/L |
| Inhaled gas is supposed to be maintained at… | 35-37 degrees C |
| Condensation does not pose any risks to patient/caregivers. True/False | False (it does) |
| Condensation can waste lots of water. True/False | True |
| Condensation can block gas flow through the circuit. True/False | True |
| What risk due to condensation can the patient experience? | Inhalation of condensation |
| What can be used to minimize the risk of inhalation of condensation? | Water traps or heated circuits |
| What does VAP stand for? | Ventilator acquired pneumonia |
| What can cause a bacterial colonization in the circuit? | Built-up condensation |
| Minimizing condensation can help to reduce OR achieve the risk of bacterial colonization? | Reduce |
| What consists of liquid particles suspended in a gas (oxygen or air)? | Bland aerosol |
| What are the most common devices used for bland aerosol therapy? | Large-volume jet nebulizers |
| How are large-volume jet nebulizers powered? What are they connected to? | Pneumatically powered; directly to a flowmeter |
| How does a large-volume jet nebulizer work? | Liquid particles are generated by passing gas at high velocity through a small jet orifice. |
| What is the optimal size for particles passing through the large-volume jet nebulizer? | 2-5 micrometers |
| 0.25 – 1.0 micro meters: minimal settling in the lungs 1.0 – 2.0 micro meters: enter alveoli 2.0 – 5.0 micro meters: deposit/settle to alveoli 5.0 + micro meters: too big to enter airway True/False | True |
| Unheated large-volume jet nebulizers can produce… | 26 to 35 mg/H2O/L |
| Heated large-volume jet nebulizers can produce… | 35 to 55 mg/H2O/L |
| What device is electronically powered and uses a piezoelectric crystal to generate aerosol? | Ultrasonic nebulizer |
| The crystal transducer converts ______________________ into high-frequency mechanical vibrations that produce the aerosol. | radio waves |
| Particle size is inversely proportional to… | Signal frequency (frequency sound waves: 1.35-1.65) |
| Name four types of airway appliances used with large-bore tubing. | Aerosol mask Face tent T-tube Tracheostomy mask |
| Mist tents and hoods are normally used to deliver aerosol therapy to what type of patients? | Infants and children |
| Name one problem that RTs have with mist tents. | Heat and CO2 buildup |
| What do high flows in mist tents help to do? | “Wash out” CO2 and reduce heat buildup |
| Name six problems with bland aerosol therapy. | Cross-contamination and infection Environmental safety Inadequate mist production Over-hydration Bronchospasm Noise |
Questions:
1. List all devices considered a humidifier?
2. What does Humidity therapy involve?
3. Heat and Moisture exchange is a primary function of what?
4. Why is the mouth less effective at heat and moisture than the nose?
5. What is ISB?
6. What happens above the ISB?
7. What happens below the ISB?
8. What factors can shift the ISB deeper into the lungs/airways?
9. What is the primary goal of humidification?
10. What are the indications for humidification therapy?
11. What are the clinical signs/symptoms of inadequate airway humidification?
12. What is absolute humidity?
13. What is relative humidity?
14. What is body humidity?
15. What is the expected body humidity value at normal body temperature?
16. What are heaters used for in humidity therapy?
17. What is cool humidification/bland aerosol used for?
18. How does a heater improve the effectiveness of a humidifier?
19. Study box 35-4 for heater guidelines
20. What are the four variables that affect the performance of a humidifier?
21. How does a bubble humidifier work?
22. What are the hazards of using a bubble humidifier?
23. When should a bubble humidifier be used?
24. What problems could be wrong with a bubble humidifier if no sound is heard when pinching the tubing?
25. What is wrong if the bubble humidifier whistles by itself?
26. What is wrong when no bubbling occurs with a bubble humidifier?
27. What are the factors that influence the output of a bubble humidifier?
28. What is the purpose of a
29. What is the expected water vapor output of bubble humidifier?
30. What liter flows should be used with a bubble humidifier?
31. How does a wick Passover humidifier work?
32. How does a Membrane Passover humidifier work?
33. What are the advantages of the wick and membrane Passover humidifiers?
34. When are Wick or Membrane Passover humidifiers used?
35. How does an HME work?
36. What are hazards of an HME?
37. When should HME be used?
38. What is the correct placement of an HME?
39. What are the three types of HMEs?
40. What are the needed characteristics of an HME?
41. What are the contraindications of an HME?
42. How can you tell if the HME is working properly?
43. When should HME be changed to a large volume nebulizer with a heater?
44. How do Jet Nebulizers work?
45. When are jet nebulizers used ?
46. What are the hazards of the aerosol created and using jet nebulizers?
47. What is the purpose of a room humidifier?
48. How does a room humidifier work?
49. What is a hazard of a room humidifier? Read sheet paragraph bout room humidifiers
50. How does condensation occur?
51. What factors influence condensation?
52. how do you minimize condensation?
53. What are the hazards of condensation?
54. How is condensation disposed?
55. How do you ensure heated circuits are working?
56. What are servo heaters?
57. study page 834
58. study 839
59. When is an ultrasonic nebulizer used?
60. What are the hazards of ultrasonic nebulizer?
61. When should a cool mist be delivered with large volume nebulizers?
62. When should heat be delivered with large volume nebulizers?
63. Study box 35-5 page 837
64. What are the symptoms of humidity deficit?
65. What is the formula for relative humidity?
66. What is the formula for body humidity?
67. What is the formula for humidity deficit?
68. What is the formula for Absolute humidity?
Answers:
1. Bubble humidifier can be prefilled or a refillable one, Passover humidifier there are three types a simple, wick, and membrane, Heat and Moisture Exchanger HME/artificial nose, and a Room Humidifier.
2. Adding water vapor and sometimes heat to inspired gas
3. the upper respiratory tract, mainly the nose
4. because of the low ratio of gas volume to moist and warm surface area and the less vascular epithelium lining in oropharynx and hypopharynx
5. It stands for isothermic saturation boundary this is the point normally 5 cm below the carina temperature is 37 degrees C and 100% relative humidity
6. Above isothermic saturation boundary the temperature and humidity decrease during inspiration and increase during exhalation
7. Below the isothermic saturation boundary the temperature and relative humidity remain constant (BTPS)
8. When a person breathes through their mouth, when they breathe cold dry air, when the upper airway is bypassed/artificial tracheal airway, or when minute ventilation is higher than normal the ISB is shifted DISTALLY
9. To maintain normal physiologic conditions in the lower airways
10. Humidifying dry medical gases/flows greater than 4 l/min, overcoming humidity deficit
created when upper airway is bypassed, managing hypothermia, and treating bronchospasm caused by cold air
11. Atelectasis, Dry nonproductive cough, increased airway resistance, increased incidence of infection, increased work of breathing, patient complaint of substernal pain and airway dryness, and thick dehydrated secretions
12. the actual amount of moisture contained in a gas
13. the amount of water vapor a sample could maximally hold at a given temperature
14. the amount of water vapor in a gas sample compared to the capacity for water vapor at body temperature
15. 44 mg/l
16. To prevent or treat various abnormal conditions such as hypothermia or alleviating bronchospasms
17. Upper airway inflammation from croup, epiglottitis, and
18. Heat improves the water output of humidifiers
19. Study box 35-4 for heater guidelines
20. Temperature, surface area, time of contact, and thermal mass
21. It breaks/diffuses and underwater gas stream into small bubbles, gas is directed below water level bubbles back up evaporation occurs providing humidity. The higher the flow the more humidity less the flow less humidity
22. At a high flow rate it can produce aerosols which can transmit pathogenic bacteria from the humidifier reservoir to the patient
23. When a patient is on a nasal cannula or simple mask and flow is greater than 4 l/min or patient complains of a dry nose or irritation in the hospitals the prefilled ones are most common the refillable ones are used in home care settings for patients with oxygen concentrators
24. the inlet could be clogged, most commonly the jar is cracked/loose, the gasket could be worn or missing, the connection could be broken
25. The O2 flow may be too high or the tubing may be kinked/obstructed
26. Capillary tube could be obstructed, loose connections, O2 flow may not be turned on, or inadequate pressure in the line
27. Temperature, Relative humidity , and absolute humidity
28. To warn of flow path obstruction and to prevent bursting of the humidifier bottle, it releases pressures greater than 2psi
29. 80%
30. Flows 10 l/min and less
31. It uses an absorbent material to increase the surface area for dry air to interface with heated water
32. It separates the water from the gas stream by means of a hydrophobic membrane causing water vapor molecules to easily pass through the membrane but blocking the liquid water/pathogens
33. they can maintain saturation at high flow rates, they add little or no flow resistance to spontaneous breathing circuits, they do not generate any aerosols posing minimal risks for spreading infections
34. When patient is on a ventilator/bypassed airways or when need more heat to break secretions
35. it is an artificial nose so it captures exhaled heat and moisture and uses it to heat and humidify the next inspiration it does not actively add heat or water to the system like the nose
36. Flow resistance increases after several hours of use for some patients this may be a risk because it causes an increased work of breathing, They add 30 to 90 ml of mechanical dead space causing hypoventilation, underhydration and mucous impaction, ineffective low pressure alarm during disconnection, mucous plugging causing hypoventilation/gas trapping, hypothermia, or mucous plugging causing increased resistive work of breathing
37. When upper airways are bypassed and mechanical ventilation
38. 10cm away from endotracheal tube and proximal to the ventilator circuit
39. Simple (high thermal conductivity) Condenser humidifier, Hygroscopic (low thermal conductivity) Condenser humidifier, and Hydrophobic (water repellent element) Condenser humidifier
40. Stable and provides heat and moisture to the patient.
41. Patients with thick, copious, or bloody secretions; patients with an expired tidal volume less than 70% of the delivered tidal volume; patients whose body temperature is less than 32 degrees C; patients with high spontaneous minute volumes greater than 10 l/min; and patients receiving in line aerosol drug treatments
42. If the patient is receiving proper heat and moisture.
43. When secretions can’t be broken up
44. They use a capillary tube to draw water and a jet to create a baffle in which water is shattered into liquid particles often larger particles will fall out smaller ones are carried to the patient
45. when there is presence of upper airway edema, Laryngotracheobronchitis, subglottic edema,
46. of the aerosol it is the droplets which could spread infection, hazards include wheezing/bronchospasm, bronchoconstriction , overhydration, discomfort, caregiver exposure to airborne contagions produced during coughing or sputum induction, edema of the airway wall, edema bc of decreased compliance and gas exchange with increased airway resistance, sputum induction with hypertonic saline can cause bronchoconstriction in patients with some pulmonary diseases
47. To help with sinusitis and drainage
48. it creates an aerosol that exits the device and evaporates in the ambient air increasing the humidity of the room
49. it is a potential source of nosocomial infections (read sheet paragraph bout room humidifiers)
50. saturated gas cools as it leaves the point of humidification and passes through the delivery tubing to the patient as the gas cools its water vapor capacity decreases causing condensation
51. temperature difference across the system, ambient temperature, gas flow, set airway temp, and length, diameter, and thermal mass of breathing circuit
52. position circuits to drain condensate away from the patient, check the circuit often, drain the excess condensate from heated humidifier breathing circuits on a regular basis, place water traps at low points in the circuit, use nebulizers placing them in a superior position, keep the circuit at a constant temperature by insulation, increasing the thermal mass, or using wire heating elements in the circuit
53. condensation can disrupt/occlude gas flow through the circuit altering the FiO2 or ventilation function/both, it can work its way to the patient and be aspirated
54. it is treated as infectious waste and therefore drained into an infectious waste container
55. Adjust the temperature differential to the point that a few drops of condensation form near the patient connection or wye
56. It monitors temperature at or near the patient’s airway using a thermistor probe the controller adjusts heater power to achieve the desired airway temperature
57. study page 834
58. study 839
59. It is used for sputum inductions when patients are unable to hack it up after trying breathing treatments of saline with large volume nebulizer
60. bronchospasm – stop and deliver bronchodilator, fluid overloads – limit treatment time or try something else, mucus plugging and occlusion of airway – encourage cough suction if need to
61.
62. if secretions are thick and hard to remove or the patient’s upper airway is bypassed
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| what is bland aerosol? | liquid particels suspended in gas |
| what can be deliverd through aerosol therapy? | sterile watre, hypotonic saline, isotonic saline, hypertonic saline |
| which device is used for bland aerosol treatments? | aerosol mask, face tent, traceostomy mask, T- tube, oxygen hood, oxygen tent |
| what are the indication for aerosol use? | upper airway edema, croup, epiglottis, post extubation edema, bypassed upper airway, need for sputum |
| what are the types of bland aerosol? | cool, heated, MMAD, Hypo and Hypertonic saline |
| what are the types of aerosol generators? | Large volume Jet Nebulizer, SVN and inhalers, USN |
| what are the contraindications of bland aerosols? | bronchocontriction, history of airway hyperresponsiveness |
| what are the hazards of bland aerosols? | wheezing or bronchospasm, infections, overhydration, edema of the airway wall |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the factors that affect aerosol drug therapy? | Aerosol output Particle Size Deposition Aging Breathing Pattern Physical characteristics of the airway |
| Particle Size | Depends on substance nebulized, methods used to generate aerosol and environmental conditions. |
| What is the optimal particle size? | 1 to 5 microns |
| Deposition | How it lands. The size deetermines how it deposits. It’s affected by inertia, sedimentation, and bownian movement. |
| What is inertia? | Particles collide and burst resulting in rainout and less medication to site of action. Turbulent flow can cause this. |
| What is sedimentation? | The larger the particle the more effect gravity will have. This can cause rainout. |
| What is brownian movement? | As you breathe in airflow slows down. Particles slow down and hit each other causing rain out. |
| What is aging? | How long it is suspended before it gets to target site. |
| Aging depends on? | Composition of aerosol, initial size of particles, time in suspension, ambient condition which it is exposed. |
| What is optimal breathing pattern? | Slow laminar flow with gentle, deep breaths. |
| Different medications… | need different particle sizes |
| What are the types of nebulizers used for aerosol drug therapy? | Small volume jet nebulizer Metered Dose inhalers (MDI) Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) |
| How is the small volume jet nebulizer powered? | Pneumatically, flow 6-8 L/Min |
| The efficiency of small volume jet nebulizer depends on what? | flow, gas source, ambient conditions, characteristics of the drug and breathing pattern |
| What can be used with the small volume jet nebulizer? | mask or mouthpiece |
| Can it be used with a ventilator circuit? | yes |
| How should the small volume jet nebulizer be positioned? | Upright |
| Does it contain a baffle? | Yes |
| Facts about the small volume jet nebulizer. | Can be continuous or intermittent (may be breath actuated) May contain a filter |
| Why would a small volume jet nebulizer contain a filter? | In the case of PCP pneumonia when administering pentamidine. You only want the patient to have the drug and you don’t want it in the air. |
| Metered dose inhalers are also known as | MDI’s They are the most commonly prescribed method. |
| The efficiency depends on? | Patient technique 60% of people will use them incorrectly. |
| How is the MDI powered? | It is either hand or breath actuated. When breath actuated, the patient must be able to generate enough flow rate. |
| Can the MDI be used in a ventilator circuit? | Yes |
| The propellant makes up what percent of the canister? | 80%, only 1% is actual drug. The propellant used is HFA, CFC is no longer used |
| What apparatus is used with the MDI? | Spacers They reduce the need for hand/breath coordination |
| What is an easy acronym to instruct patients that are having difficulty? | (SMB) Shake, Mash, Breathe |
| Dry Powder inhalers contain? | Powdered drugs |
| How are dry powder inhalers powered? | They are breath actuated metered dose inhalers |
| What must the patient be able to do in order to use the DPI? | They must be able to generate adequate flow rate and efficiency will depend on patient technique |
| DPI’s are different from MDI’s in that they….; | contain no propellant |
| DPI’s cannot be used with | a ventilatory circuit |
| What are other drug devices used for aerosol drug therapy? | Large volume jet nebulizers Small volume ultrasonic nebulizers Small Particle Aerosol Generator (SPAG) Nasal Spray pumps |
| What is the SPAG used for? | only used for administration of Ribavirin (treatment of RSV in small children) |
| To choose a device you should consider | Available drug formulation Patient’s characteristics Desired site of deposition Patient’s Preference |
| To determine effectiveness of chosen device you should | assess patient technique Assess patient compliance with use Assess patient response to therapy |
| What factors are associated with reduced aerosol deposition in the lung? | Patient technique Obstruction |
| What are the hazards of aerosol drug therapy? | side effects of the drug airway reactivity (bronchospasm) Infection risk Drug reconcentration Irritation of tissues in the mouth |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| water is gaseous for {vapor} “cant see it” | humidity |
| the process of adding humidity 2 air or medical gas | humidification |
| any device that creates water vapor adding gaseous water to dry gas | humidifier |
| liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas | aerosol |
| any device that produces aerosol particles | nebulizer |
| ___&___ are responsible for heat & moisture exchange normally | Nose & upper airway |
| nose heats & humidifies | inhalation |
| nose collects moisture | exhalation |
| inspired gas achieves BTPS as it moves into the lungs | inhalation {37*C} |
| body temperature; ambient pressure; saturated w/water vapo | BTPS |
| 5cm~below the Carina. this point is called the ISOTHERMIC SATURATION BOUNDARY ISB | BTPS is achieved ___ |
| below this ISB temp & relative humidity remain ____ | constant |
| actual content or wt of H2O(mg) that is present in a given volume of gas(L) written mg/L content is often substituted 4 this word | absolute humidity |
| amount of water content that a gas is capable of holding at a given temp; as a gas is heated its capable of carrying more water vaopr | humidity capacity AKA potential humidity |
| device used to directly measure relative humidity | hygrometer |
| when absolute humidity =’s potential humidity then gas is ____ & RH is 100% | fully saturated |
| temp 20*C | water vapor 17.3mg/L |
| temp 25*C | water vapor 23mg/L |
| temp 30 | water vapor 30.4mg/L |
| temp 37*C | water vapor 43.9 |
| temp 40*C | water vapor 51.1 |
| absolute humidity/potential humidity X100=??? | % RH |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| what is absolute Humidity? | the actual content or weight of water present in a given volume of gas. |
| what is ISO? | International Standards Organization |
| What does ISO recommend with absolute Humidity? | AH of 33mmgH2O/L |
| How should AH be titrated? | dependant on individual needs of patient |
| what is 98.6 F in celsius? | 37 degrees |
| what does cooling the gas do to AH? | decrease AH |
| what is relative humidity? | the ratio of how much water a gas sample is actually holding |
| what is BTPS? | body, temperature at the pressure to which the patient is exposed and 100% saturated with water vapor |
| what is Isothermic saturation Boundary? | at or below carina, the point where inspired gases are fully saturated and warmed to body temp. |
| what best describes Vapor pressure? | pressure of vapor in lines exert 47mmHg |
| what best describes humidity deficit? | the amount of water vapor needed to achieve full saturation at body temperature. |
| what does humidity therapy involve? | adding water vapor and sometimes heat to the inspired gas |
| what is the primary goal of humidification? | maintain normal conditions in lower airways thinning of bronchial secretions sputum inductions |
| what are the goals of humidity? | reduce airway swelling, removal of thick secretions, prevent airway response to cold air |
| what are the hazards of humidity? | bronchospasm ( cool mist), infection, over hydration |
| what are the three variables that affect quality of a humidifier’s performance? | Temperature, surface area, contact time |
| what are the low flow humidifiers? | bubble, jet |
| what are the high flow humidifiers? | heated bubble, passover, wick, vapor phase, capillary force, membrane type, HME |
| what are the contraindications of HME? | patients with thick or bloody secretions, body temp less than 32 degrees, high spontaneous mv, HME must be taken out for aerosolized medication |
| what are the two types of asthmatics? | Intrinsic= nonseasonal and Extrinsic= inhaled airborne antigen aka atopic asthma |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is the Isothermic saturation boundary (ISB)located? | Approximately 5cm below the carina |
| What does the term Inspissated refer to? | Thickening of secretions due to dehydration |
| With prolonged breathing of improperly conditioned gases through the tracheal airway can result in what condition? | Hypothermia (a reduced body temperature) |
| What are humidifiers used for? | To add molecular water to gases |
| Temperature is an important factor affecting humidity due to the fact that the greater the temperature of the gas the more H2O vapor it will hold. (true or false) | True |
| In order for evaporation to occur what are the ideal conditions that need to be present? | There needs to be a large surface area to enable evaporation to take place |
| What are the three most common humidifiers used in Respiratory care? | 1)Bubble humidifiers 2)Passover humidifiers 3)Heat and moisture exchangers |
| In the Passover humidifier what is the purpose of the Hydrophobic membrane? | The membrane-type separates the water from the gas stream |
| What is a HME? And what are the three most common used? | HME is a heat and moisure exchange device. 1)Simple condenser humidifiers 2)Hygroscopic condenser humidifiers 3)Hydrophobic condenser humidifiers |
| What organization sets the standards for the HME’s? | International Organization for Standarization (ISO) |
| Heated humidifiers operating continuously in breathing circuits can evaporate more than ___ L H2O per day. | 1L of H2O per day |
| Simple large reservoir systems are manually refilled with sterile or distilled water. Why would this be a problem? | Because the system must be opened for refilling where cross contamination can occur. |
| What type of probe does the Servo-controlled heating system use at or near the patients airway? | Thermistor probe |
| Not all active heated humidifiers perform the same under all conditions. (True or False) | True |
| To maintain airway temperatures by humidification the temperature has to range between ___ and __ C | 35 and 37 C |
| What are the three most common problems with humidification systems? | 1)Dealing with condensation 2)Avoiding cross contamination 3)Ensuring proper conditioning of the inspired gas |
| Name some factors that would influence the amount of condensation in a humidified system? | 1)Temperature difference across system (humid. to airway) 2)Ambient temperature 3)Gas flow 4)Set airway temperature 5)Length,diameter, and thermal mass of breathing circuit |
| What is the definition of a Nebulizer? | Device that produces an aerosol suspension of liquid particles in a gaseous medium using baffling to control particle size. |
| Name two devices that are used to deliver bland aerosols? | 1)Large-Volume nebulizers 2)Ultrasonic nebulizers |
| Bland aerosols can cause bronchospasms in some patients. (True or false) | True |
Final Thoughts
And that wraps up our study guide on Humidity and Bland Aerosol Therapy. I hope that these practice questions were helpful for you. If you go through them enough times, they can definitely help you learn everything you need to know for Egan’s Chapter 38. But as I always say, it never hurts to go back and read the entire chapter and that’s something I always recommend. Thank you so much for reading and as always, breathe easy my friend.
And don’t forget, if you need help with your Egan’s Workbook, we looked up the answers for you so that you don’t have to. Check out our Workbook Helper to learn more.
