This document outlines the learning objectives and content for a week 6 nursing course on perfusion. It discusses factors that affect oxygenation and tissue perfusion. Key topics covered include the circulatory system, how blood circulation works through the heart, what can affect perfusion, assessing peripheral pulses and capillary refill to evaluate perfusion, and the relationship between perfusion and oxygenation. Assessment techniques for respiratory health and identifying normal vs. abnormal findings are also reviewed.

1. Week 6
Perfusion

2. Learning Objectives
1. Describe and list factors that affect oxygenation
and tissue perfusion.
2. Explain common physical assessment procedures
used to evaluate respiratory health of patients
across the lifespan.
3. Identify priority respiratory assessment findings.
4. Differentiate normal respiratory assessment from
abnormal findings.

3. Learning Objectives (cont’d.)
5. Describe the integral relationship between
perfusion and oxygenation.
6. Explain the role and limitations associated
with pulse oximetry assessment.
7. Explain and utilize vital signs and peripheral
vascular assessment techniques and findings
to assess perfusion.

4. Perfusion – A continuous supply of
oxygenated blood to every cell in the
body through the body’s vessels.
(Pumped to all parts).

5. Circulatory system: a closed
system

6. Blood circulation through the
heart

7. Perfusion: affected by pump failure, decreased
volume, arterial obstruction
Arterial walls: Blood pressure is controlled by
the body with vasoconstrictors that increase
pressure and with vasodilators that reduce
pressure.

8. Nine pulse sites tell us that heart-pumped blood
is reaching peripheral areas of the body

9. What do you feel/palpate/see to
assess tissue perfusion?
Peripheral pulses and capillary
refill

10. Do you know your stuff?

11. Choking is a ventilation issue…
(airway)

12. Swollen tongue is a ventilation
(airway) issue

13. Head Trauma: potential for decreased
ventilation and possible obstruction, and
or swelling of the airway

14. Open System: an amputation is
perfusion issue

15. No oxygen to heart muscle– no perfusion,
dying muscle, and reduced pump action
which…

16. results in decreased perfusion to the
rest of the body

17. Perfusion Issue

18. Perfusion Issue

19. An irregular heart rate results in
decreased tissue perfusion

20. Asthma Attack
Diffusion Issue
(May observe restlessness)

21. Respiratory infections, such as pneumonia,
may decrease diffusion

22. Q. Our body’s compensatory mechanisms,
which react in the presence of infection,
include which of the following in a patient
with a bilateral lung infection?
a. Decreased blood pressure
b. Increased blood pressure
c. Increased respiratory and heart rate
d. Decreased respiratory and heart rate

23. c. Increased respiratory and heart
rate

24. Late finding in hypoxemia: cyanosis

25. Q. An early sign of hypoxemia is:
a. Depression
b. Euphoria
c. Fist pumping
d. Restlessness

26. d. Restlessness

27. Q. What is the first thing you do when
someone has difficulty breathing?
a. Have them raise their feet
b. Sit them up in a high upright position
c. Give them water to drink
d. Take their blood pressure

28. b. Sit them up in a high upright position

29. Locating the Apical Pulse:
Left midclavicular line between the
fourth and fifth intercostal space

30. Locating the Radial Pulse

31. Become familiar with Table 22-28 on
page 1422, Classification of Blood
Pressure for Adults, in Nursing: A
Concept-Based Approach to Learning
(Volume One)

32. Decreased tissue perfusion is
determined by delayed capillary
refill of fingers and toes…

33. Correct order for assessing
posterior breath sounds…

34. Have the patient take slow deep
breaths through their mouth when
auscultating the lungs

35. Exam #2 next week:
Will include information covered
in sessions (weeks) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6

36. End of Week 6