2225 Respiratory

In this episode of Nursing Student Deep Dive, we take a top-to-bottom tour of the respiratory system and focus on the clinical clues that can signal serious deterioration before it becomes obvious. From subtle post-tonsillectomy bleeding to collapsed lungs and pneumonia, this episode connects respiratory anatomy and physiology directly to bedside nursing priorities. Topics include upper and lower airway anatomy, gas exchange, hemoglobin and the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, epistaxis, pleural effusion, thoracentesis, tension pneumothorax, chest tubes, pneumonia, and key respiratory assessment findings. This episode also highlights high-priority nursing red flags such as stridor, frequent swallowing after tonsillectomy, posterior nosebleeds, absent breath sounds, hypotension with JVD, chest-tube air leaks, and acute confusion in older adults with pneumonia. The goal is to help nursing students understand the physiology behind these findings so they can recognize respiratory emergencies early and act quickly.