SCOTTS ADVENTURE AT PIKES PEAK

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SCOTTS ADVENTURE AT PIKES PEAK

• Presented By
• Jon, Callie, Melissa

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SCOTTS SITUATION
SCOTTS SITUATION

• Visited Pikes Peak in Colorado during spring
  break.
• Went to the top of Pikes Peak to sightsee.
• Had to rest 3 times due to high altitude.
• At the last resting place the barometer reading
  was 450mm Hg.

• Visited Pikes Peak in Colorado during spring
  break.
• Drove to the top of Pikes Peak to sightsee.
• Had to rest 3 times due to high altitude.
• -At the last resting place the barometer
  reading was 450mm Hg.

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Gas Exchange is by Diffusion
The net rate of diffusion is largely influenced
by the pressure gradients (PO2 and PCO2 across
the respiratory membrane).
Alveolar air does not contain the same amount of
O2 and CO2 as atmospheric air because of the
anatomic dead air space.
At equilibrium, alveolar PO2 will equal blood PO2.
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What factors may change with
ALTITUDE?

• Partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in alveolar air
• PO2 in arterial blood (the supply to body
  tissues)
• and oxygen saturation of Hemoglobin ( O2 Sat.)
• Respiratory effort
• rate and tidal volume
• PCO2 in arterial blood (waste from body tissues)
• Arterial pH (as a function of CO2 content)

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Terminology

• Atmospheric air contains 21 O2, therefore PO2
  .21 x atmospheric pressure X mm Hg.
• But atmospheric air mixes with residual air in
  the anatomic dead air space, so alveolar PO2 is
  less
• PO2 Arterial- partial pressure of oxygen in
  arterial blood.
• O2 Saturation Arterial- Arterial oxygen
  saturation on hemoglobin in arterial blood.
• Tidal Volume- The volume of air that is inspired
  or expired in a single breath during regular
  breathing.

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Terminology Cont

• Respiratory Rate- The frequency of breathing,
  recorded as the number of breaths per minute.
• PCO2 Arterial- partial pressure of carbon dioxide
  in arterial blood.
• pH Arterial- pH of the blood plasma.
• Short-term changes reflect changes in PCO2
  primarily

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• Predict the direction of change (increase,
  decrease, no change) for the following
  physiological variables going from sea level to
  Pikes Peak elevation of 14,110ft.

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Altitude Sickness

• Hypoxia Oxygen is below the necessary level to
  sustain normal function.
• High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) Fluid in the
  lungs as a result of body adapting to high
  altitudes. The pulmonary artery contracts and
  there is an increase in alveoli pressure. From
  osmotic pressure, some fluid goes into lungs,
  making it harder to breathe.
• Major cause of death of altitude sickness.
• Symptoms Fatigue, shortness of breath even at
  rest, gurgling/rattling breaths, and sometimes a
  productive cough of a pink frothy fluid.
• Tx Immediate descent

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Cont.

• High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
• Brain swells due to hypoxia-induced changes in
  the blood-brain barrier, inhibiting proper
  function.
• Symptoms Abnormal walking,confusion, inability
  to think, lethargy.
• Tx Immediate decent.
• Both HAPE and HACE can be fatal.

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Analogy

• Atmospheric pressure is like a mountain stream.
  At the top, pressure is low and the flow is
  slowyo! As the stream proceeds downhill it
  begins to gain in size, pressure strength, and
  flow.

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QUESTIONS?