airway Flashcards
aerobic metabolism
Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.
aerosol-generating procedure
Any airway manipulation that induces the production of aerosols that may present a risk for airborne transmission of pathogens, such as CPR.
agonal gasps
Abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest.
airway
The upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat.
alveolar minute volume
The volume of air moved through the lungs in l minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate.
alveolar ventilation
The volume of air that reaches the alveoli. It is determined by subtracting the amount of dead space air from the tidal volume.
American Standard Safety System
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.
anaerobic metabolism
The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid.
apnea
Absence of spontaneous breathing.
apneic oxygenation
A technique in which oxygen administered via a high-flow nasal cannula is left in place during an intubation attempt, allowing for continuous oxygen delivery into the airways during all phases of the procedure.
aspiration
In the context of the airway, the intro duction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs.
ataxic respirations
Irregular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern.
automatic transport ventilator (ATV)
A ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. It frees the EMT to perform other tasks while the patient is being ventilated.
bag-mask device
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 than 90% supplemental oxygen.
barrier device
A protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to a patient’s body fluids.
bilateral
A body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline.
bronchioles
Subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli.
Capnography
a noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a. patients ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism. It effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time.
capnometry
the use of a capnometer, a device that measures the amount ig expired carbon dioxide.
carina
point at which the trachea bifurcates (divides) into the left and right main stem
Chemeoreceptors
monitor the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and 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.
Cheyne- Stokes respirations
A cyclical pattern of abnormal breathing that increases and then decreases in a rate and depth, followed by a period of apnea
Compliance
the ability of the alveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalation
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
A method of ventilation used primarily in the treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory distress; can prevent the need for endotracheal intubation
Dead space
any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi.
Denitrogenation
The process of replacing nitrogen in the lungs with oxygen to maintain a normal oxygen saturation level during advanced airway management
diffusion
movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
direct laryngoscopy
visualization of the airway with the laryngoscope