Pulmonary Gas Exchange Learning Objectives

Nursing Physiology (BI-274), Dr. C. S. Tritt

Be able to state and use Dalton's Law (you don't have to know it by name).

Be able to state and use Henry's Law (this one you should know by name).

Be able to list in order of value (from largest to smallest) the solubilities (Henry Law Constants) of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium in water.

Be able to describe the general concept of vapor pressures of liquids.

Know the vapor pressure of water (in mm Hg) at body temperature (370C).

Be able to state the factions and partial pressures of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide in air at sea level.

Be able to explain the concept of partial pressure with respect to gases dissolved in liquids.

Be able to describe the operation and application of a tonometer.

Be able to state whether oxygen or carbon dioxide exhibits the higher diffusing capacity in the lungs.

Be able to list, in order, the layers through which respiratory gases must past when moving from the alveoli into the blood.

Be able to state the definition of the respiratory quotient (also know as the respiratory exchange ratio).

Be able to interpret respiratory quotient values between 0.67 and 1.00 with regard to nutritional status.