Final answer:
Two significant tools used for monitoring respiratory status are spirometers, which evaluate lung volumes and capacities, and the Douglas bag method, allowing measurement of gas exchange. Both are valuable in assessing respiratory function and health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two tools commonly used to monitor a patient's respiratory status are spirometers and the Douglas bag method. Spirometers are medical devices that measure the volume of air inhaled and exhaled by the lungs. The information obtained from spirometry testing helps in diagnosing respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and restrictive lung disease. It also evaluates the effectiveness of treatments for lung disorders. A spirometer can measure various aspects of lung function including tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory volumes, and can help in assessing lung capacity and flow rates.
The Douglas bag method is an older technique but still relevant in certain research settings. It involves a subject breathing in and out of a bag that collects expired air, allowing for measurement of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Both methods provide insight into the respiratory health of a person and are critical in understanding how effectively the lungs are functioning.
Peripheral blood chemoreceptors in the body play a significant role in regulating respiratory rate by signaling the brain to adjust breathing when CO2 levels fluctuate. Changes in the pH of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) also affect the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata, influencing respiratory rate to maintain pH balance.