Date of Learning: 25/09/2024

Learning activity

Tripartite Meeting Arrangement,

Respiratory System

Introduction of academic writing

we discussed the importance of the tripartite meeting and how to fill the form as well as setting up the date for upcoming meeting. This meeting will give me the opportunity to identify if there is any area of leaning require for improvement and recognise achievement. Also to identify any issues or concerns that may impact on my success on this course.

We also looked the stages of academic writing and the importance of referencing it and what I learnt today will assist me while writing my assignments.

Respiratory system

We looked at the anatomical structures and the normal function of the Respiratory system. The primary function of the respiratory system is to provide life-sustaining oxygen to all the cells of our body and to remove byproduct of cellular metabolism, carbon dioxide through the process of gas exchange.

The cells in our body require oxygen to make energy. It is brough in via the lungs and delivered to the cells by the bloodstream. The carbon dioxide is removed away from the cells to the lungs, and it is expired from the body via the lungs. this shows that the pulmonary and cardiovascular system is intimately related to the body’s metabolic process.

The respiratory system contains:

• Upper respiratory track,
• Lower respiratory track
• Lungs
• Thoracic cavity.

The upper respiratory track consists of:

up the nose, mouth, the sinuses, the pharynx, the larynx, and its main functions are to transport air from the atmosphere into the lower respiratory track and to protect it from foreign matters, to warm, filter and humidify inhaled air.

Lower respiratory track consists of:

Trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs and housed within the thoracic cavity.

The key role of the lower respiratory track to transport air to the site of gas exchange

Respiratory muscles,

The diaphragm is the main muscle in the respiratory system and forms the floor of the thoracis cavity and the roof of the abdominal cavity. It plays a crucial role in inspiration and expiration process.

The diaphragm contracts and flattens when inhaled, resulting the chest cavity to enlarge and creates vacuum which pulls air into the lungs. during exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and return to its shape and push the air out of the lungs.

Regulation of the respiration

During inhalation, the brain signals the phrenic nerve, and the phrenic nerve stimulate the diaphragm to contract and when diaphragm contracts, it moves down, making the thoracic cavity larger and pulls air into the lungs. when exhaling the phenic nerve stimulation stops, resulting the diaphragm to relax and move up in the chest cavity. As a result, volume of the thoracic cavity is reduced, and the intrapulmonary pressure is increased causing the air flow out of the lungs to the lower atmospheric pressure.

Human anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system is one of the most important systems in the body. It plays a key role in maintaining life by facilitating the gas exchange which is essential for cellular metabolism.

Learning the anatomy and function of the respiratory system will assist me to understand the normal function respiratory system. This knowledge is useful for me as I look after long term ventilated patients with complex respiratory requirements. This will enable me to recognise when patients/residents having issues with their breathing and assist them or escalated in necessary.

KSB Addressed:

K15: Understand human development from conception to death, to enable delivery of person-centred safe and effective care

K16: Understand body systems and homeostasis, human anatomy and physiology, biology, genomics, pharmacology, social and behavioural sciences as applied to delivery of care

K24: Know how to support people with commonly encountered symptoms including anxiety, confusion, discomfort and pain

K43: Understand the influence of policy and political drivers that impact health and care provision Skills

S1: Act in accordance with the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (NMC, 2018), and fulfil all registration requirements

S4: Take responsibility for continuous self-reflection, seeking and responding to support and feedback to develop professional knowledge and skills