COMMON RESPIRATORY DISORDERS:

Respiration is one of the most vital functions of the body. The purpose of respiration is to provide oxygen ta  the body  cells and to remove excess carbon dioxide from the body cells. Respiratory nursing is a challenging practice area  if you are able to understand the common problems related to respiratory system. You may need to  review the Anatomy and Physiology of the respiratory system in detail as  it  is discussed very briefly in this unit. In this unit you are going to learn about the common problems of patients with the respiratory disease and nursing measures to be taken to  solve the problems.  

Nose and Paranasal Sinuses:

Nose  is supported by  the nasal bones, nasal processes of  the maxillary bones,  the cartilaginous and bony parts of the  septum, and the upper and lower nasal cartilages. The nasal cavities are  located between the roof oi'  the mouth and the frontal, ethmoid and  sphenoid bones. The  three projections called the turbinate bones are located on  the lateral walls of the nasal cavities and lined with mucous membrane. These provide  a large surface area with  a rich blood supply. The anterior part of  the nose  is  called  the vestibule which extends posteriorly a short distance to a point  at which  its  lining changes from skin to mucous membrane containing ciliated epithelium.

The nasal  septum divides the nasal  cavity into right and left. The olfactory epithelium is  located  in  a small area superiorly and provides  the end-organ  of smell. Four  sets of paranasal  sinuses are located on  either side of the head. These sinuses are air filled spaces in  the skull that serve to lighten the head. They are lined with mucous membrane that  is continuous with that of  the nose. The sinuses drain into the nasal cavities through  the  opening behind  the  trubinates. 

Functions of the nose and nasal  sinuses are to warm, moisten and  filter incoming air,  to house receptors for olfaction and to promote vocal resonance.