Ch 31 Key Terms

Question 1

bronchodilator

Answer 1

an agent that causes expansion of the air passages within the lungs.

Question 2

geriatric

Answer 2

pertaining to elderly persons or to the aging process.

Question 3

heart contractility

Answer 3

the capacity of cardiac muscle cells to shorten in response to a suitable stimulus.

Question 4

kyphosis

Answer 4

abnormally increased dorsal curvature of the thoracic spine.

Question 5

lordosis

Answer 5

abnormally increased anterior curvature of the spine (usually the lumbar spine).

Question 6

nephron

Answer 6

the smallest functional unit of the kidney.

Question 7

osteoporosis

Answer 7

a disease process that leads to a reduction in bone mass.

Question 8

polypharmacy

Answer 8

the simultaneous use of several medications in combination.

Question 9

scoliosis

Answer 9

abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

Question 10

syncope

Answer 10

a transient loss of responsiveness resulting from inadequate cerebral blood flow.

Question 11

vital capacity

Answer 11

the maximum amount of air that can be expired following a maximum inhalation.