Airway Flashcards
Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.
aerobic metabolism
Occasional, gasping breaths that occur after the heart has stopped.
agonal gasps
The upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat.
airway
The volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate.
alveolar minute volume
The volume of air that reaches the alveoli. It is determined by subtracting the amount of dead space air from the tidal volume.
alveolar ventilation
A safety system for large oxygen cylinders, designed to prevent the accidental attachment of a regulator to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas.
American Standard Safety System
The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the principal product is lactic acid.
anaerobic metabolism
Absence of spontaneous breathing.
apnea
In the context of airway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs.
aspiration
Irregular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern.
ataxic respirations
A ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set
automatic transport ventilator (ATV)
A device with a one-way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; when attached to a reservoir and connected to oxygen, it delivers more that 90% supplemental oxygen.
bag-valve mask (BVM)
A protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to a patient’s body fluids.
barrier device
A body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline.
bilateral
Subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli.
bronchioles
A noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient’s ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism. Effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time.
capnography
The use of a capnometer, a device that measures the amount of expired carbon dioxide.
capnometry
Point at which the trachea bifurcates (divides) into the left and right mainstem bronchi.
carina
Monitor the levels of O2, CO2, and the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid and then provide feedback to the respiratory centers to modify the rate and depth of breathing based on the body’s needs at any given time.
chemoreceptors
The ability of the alveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalation.
compliance
A method of ventilation used primarily in the treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory distress; can prevent the need for endotracheal intubation.
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
The portion of the tidal volume that does not reach the alveoli and thus does not participate in gas exchange.
dead space
A process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
diffusion
Shortness of breath.
dyspnea
The amount of carbon dioxide present at the end of an exhaled breath.
end-tidal co2
The passive part of the breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs.
exhalation
The exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood cells in the pulmonary capillaries; also called pulmonary respiration.
external respiration
A normal reflex mechanism that causes retching; activated by touching the soft palate or the back of the throat.
gag reflex
A condition in which air fills the stomach, often as a result of high volume and pressure during artificial ventilation.
gastric distention
The space in between the vocal cords that is the narrowest portion of the adult’s airway; also called the glottic opening.
glottis
A term used to distinguish the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. With good air exchange, the patient is still conscious and able to cough forcefully, although wheezing may be heard.
good air exchange
A combination of two movements to open the airway by tilting the forehead back and lifting the chin; not used for trauma patients.
head tilt-chin lift maneuver
Increased carbon dioxide level in the bloodstream.
hypercarbia
A dangerous condition in which the body tissues and cells do not have enough oxygen.
hypoxia
A condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases.
hypoxic drive
The active, muscular part of breathing that draws air into the airway and lungs.
inhalation
The exchange of gases between the blood cells and the tissues.
internal respiration
Bypassing of oxygen-poor blood past nonfunctional alveoli to the left side of the heart.
intrapulmonary shunting
Technique to open the airway by placing the fingers behind the angle of the jaw and bringing the jaw forward; used for patients who may have a cervical spine injury.
jaw-thrust maneuver
Breathing that requires greater than normal effort; may be slower or faster than normal and usually requires the use of accessory muscles.
labored breathing
A complex structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures that all work together; where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins; also called the voice box.
larynx
A fixed flow rate ventilation device that delivers a breath every time its button is pushed; also referred to as a flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device.
manually triggered ventilation device
Space within the chest that contains the heart, major blood vessels, vagus nerve, trachea, major bronchi, and esophagus; located between the two lungs.
mediastinum
The biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrient within the cells.
metabolism (cellular respiration)
Occurs when a foreign body partially obstructs the patient’s airway. The patient is able to move adequate amounts of air, but also experiences some degree of respiratory distress.
mild airway obstruction
The volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute; calculated by multiplying tidal volume and respiratory rate; also referred to as minute ventilation.
minute volume
An oxygen-delivery device in which oxygen flows through two small, tubelike prongs that fit into the patient’s nostrils; delivers 24% to 44% supplemental oxygen, depending on the flow rate.
nasal cannula
The nasal cavity; formed by the union of facial bones and protects the respiratory tract from contaminants.
nasopharynx
A combination mask and reservoir bag system that is the preferred way to give oxygen in the prehospital setting; delivers up to 90% inspired oxygen and prevents inhaling the exhaled gases (carbon dioxide).
nonrebreathing mask
Airway adjunct inserted into the mouth of an unresponsive patient to keep the tongue from blocking the upper airway and to facilitate suctioning the airway, if necessary.
oropharyngeal (oral) airway
Forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity, which is bordered superiorly by the hard and soft palates, laterally by the cheeks, and inferiorly by the tongue.
oropharynx
The process of delivering oxygen to the blood by diffusion from the alveoli following inhalation into the lungs.
oxygenation
A condition of excessive oxygen consumption resulting in cellular and tissue damage.
oxygen toxicity
Thin membrane that lines the chest cavity.
parietal pleura
The term used to describe the amount of gas in air or dissolved in fluid, such as blood.
partial pressure
The act of air moving in and out of the lungs during chest compressions.
passive ventilation
Open, clear of obstruction.
patent
Nerve that innervates the diaphragm; necessary for adequate breathing to occur.
phrenic nerve
A system established for portable cylinders to ensure that a regulator is not connected to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas.
pin-indexing system
A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space.
pneumothorax
A term used to describe the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. With poor air exchange, the patient often has a weak, ineffective cough, increased difficulty breathing, or possible cyanosis and may produce a high-pitched noise during inhalation (stridor).
poor air exchange
An assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds.
pulse oximetry
A side-lying position used to maintain a clear airway in unconscious patients without injuries who are breathing adequately.
recovery position
The air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration.
residual volume
The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
respiration
Movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration.
retractions
The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
respiration
Movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration.
retractions
Occurs when a foreign body completely obstructs the patient’s airway. The patient cannot breathe, talk, or cough.
severe airway obstruction
An opening through the skin and into an organ or other structure; a stoma in the neck connects the trachea directly to the skin.
stoma
A high-pitched noise heard primarily on inspiration.
stridor
A hollow, cylindrical device used to remove fluid from the patient’s airway.
suction catheter
A liquid protein substance that coats the alveoli in the lungs, decreases alveolar surface tension, and keeps the alveoli expanded; a low level in a premature infant contributes to respiratory distress syndrome.
surfactant
A life-threatening collection of air within the pleural space; the volume and pressure have both collapsed the involved lung and caused a shift of the mediastinal structures to the opposite side.
tension pneumothorax
The amount of air (in mL) that is moved in or out of the lungs during one breath.
tidal volume
Large, semirigid suction tips recommended for suctioning the pharynx; also called Yankauer tips.
tonsil tips
Surgical opening into the trachea.
tracheostomy
Exchange of air between the lungs and the environment, spontaneously by the patient or with assistance from another person, such as an EMT.
ventilation
Thin membrane that covers the lungs.
visceral pleura
The amount of air that can be forcibly expelled from the lungs after breathing in as deeply as possible.
vital capacity
Thin white bands of tough muscular tissue that are lateral borders of the glottis and serve as the primary center for speech production.
vocal cords
The production of whistling sounds during expiration such as occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis.
wheezing
