About this topic
Welcome to Compensation for Changes in Physiology. This lesson will discuss changes to the function of the upper airway due to a tracheostomy. Physiologic changes caused by a tracheostomy render the child unable to speak, filter, humidify, or warm the air. The changes to physiology dictate much of the care and equipment that is needed to care for a child with a tracheostomy.
Because the child with a tracheostomy has decreased or bypassed ability to talk or make noise, speaking valves are used to facilitate speech, or compensate with speech.
This lesson will also provide the caregivers with the tools and knowledge needed to maintain a patent airway with the use of humidification. Supplemental humidification is necessary and is used to provide adequate humidity for the child. Types of Supplemental humidity include: heated humidity, cool mist humidity, heat moisture exchanger, and instillation of normal saline.
What you will learn
After you complete this lesson you will be able to do the following:
- Identify the physiologic changes caused by a tracheostomy
- Facilitate communication for the child with a tracheostomy
- Identify 4 types of humidification systems
- Identify clinical signs that a child is not tolerating an artificial nose
Getting the most from this lesson
To learn more from this lesson we recommend that you approach it in the following way:
- Read through the information on the home page. The concept viewers give you additional information about the underlined terms.
- The lecture contains the primary content for the lesson.
- Work through the learning activity to apply the information from the lecture.
- You will be ready for the quiz after you have completed all components of the lesson.