Chapter 12 Part II: Respiratory System Flashcards
Diagnostic Term: Auscultation
Listening to sounds (with a stethoscope) within the body (lungs, abdomen).
Diagnostic Term: Percussion
Tapping on a surface to determine the difference in the density of the underlying structure; dull if over a solid / fluid filled organ or resonant / hollow over air filled tissue (lungs).
Diagnostic Term: Pleural rub
Scratchy sound produced by pleural surfaces rubbing against each other (friction rub) due to a thickened wall from inflammation (pleuritis/pleurisy), scarring, neoplasia,,, etc.
Diagnostic Term: Rale (crackles)
Fine crackling sound on auscultation (during inhalation) when there is fluid in the alveoli (eg. Pneumonia, acute bronchitis); rale in French means rattle.
Diagnostic Term: Rhonchus / rhonchi
Loud rumbling sounds on auscultation of bronchi obstructed by sputum: resembles “snoring” indicating congestion and inflammation in larger bronchial tubes.
Diagnostic Term: Sputum
Material (eg. phlegm) expelled (expectoration) from the bronchi, lungs, or upper respiratory tract by spitting; purulent (containing pus: py/o, green/brown) if infected, sputum with blood as in TB patients, sputum culture to determine pathogen.
Diagnostic Term: Stridor
Strained, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration by obstruction in the pharynx/larynx (eg, throat abscess, airway injury, allergic rxn, epiglottitis or laryngitis).
Diagnostic Term: Wheezes
Continuous high-pitched whistling sounds during breathing (expiration); air is forced through narrowed or obstructed airways (asthma).
Upper Respiratory Disorder: Croup
Acute viral infection of infants and children with obstruction of larynx, barking cough and stridor; often caused by influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Upper Respiratory Disorder: Diphtheria
Acute infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract caused by diphtheria bacterium; immunity induced by administration of weakened toxins (antigens) between 6th and 8th weeks of life (DPT injections).
Upper Respiratory Disorder: Epistaxis
Nosebleed (irritation of nasal membranes, trauma, vitamin K deficiency, clotting abnormalities as in thrombocytopenia,,,, etc).
Thrombocytopenia: Deficiency of the thrombocytes or platelets.
Upper Respiratory Disorder: Pertussis
Whooping cough; highly contagious bacterial infection of the pharynx, larynx and trachea caused by Bordetella pertussis; violent, sudden (paroxysmal) high pitched ‘whoop” sound in infected babies/children when they inhale air after coughing.
Bronchial tube disorders: Asthma
Chronic bronchial inflammatory disorder with airway obstruction due to bronchial edema and constriction and increased mucus production; wheezing, dyspnea and cough; caused by allergy or infection, other triggers include exercise, strong odors, cold air, stress, allergens (dust, mold, pollens, foods) and medication (aspirin); treated with anti-inflammatory agents (steroids), bronchodilators (nebulizer), avoidance of triggers and patient education.
Bronchial tube disorders: Bronchiectasis
Chronic dilation of a bronchus secondary to infection; chronic infection with loss of elasticity of the bronchi.
Bronchial tube disorders: Chronic bronchitis
Inflammation of bronchi persisting over a long time; type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); infection and cigarette smoking.
Bronchial tube disorders: Cystic fibrosis (CF)
Inherited disorder of exocrine glands resulting in thick mucous secretions in the respiratory tract that do not drain normally; affects lungs, pancreas, sweat glands,,,, no cure.
- “Salty baby”
Lung Disorder: Emphysema
Hyperinflation of air sacs with destruction of alveolar walls from loss of elasticity; strong association with cigarette smoking; a form of COPD.
Lung Disorders: Atelectasis
Collapsing of the lung.
•Two forms
• Proximal obstruction of distal airways.
• Accumulations of fluid, blood, or air in the pleural cavity.
Lung Disorders: Lung Cancer
Malignant tumor from the lungs and bronchi; associated with smoking and metastasis.
Lung Disorders: Pneumonia
Acute inflammation and infection of alveoli, often filled with pus or inflammatory products; bacteria, fungus or viruses; air sacs become consolidated “glued” together or air exchange is less efficient.
- Community acquired.
- Hospital acquired (nosocomial).
- Aspiration (food, vomitus,,): affects elderly, stroke victims or patients with dysphagia or Alzheimer disease.
Lung Disorders:
X-ray of Pneumonia with consolidation
Air sacs are consolidated or stuck together. Should normally be clear and black, but consolation is seen.
Lung Disorders: Pulmonary edema
Fluid in the air sacs and bronchioles; can be a result of CHF (heart’s inability to pump required blood so there is a pooling of blood in the lungs); immediate medical attention needed in acute cases, have patients sit up to decrease venous return (orthopnea).
Lung Disorders: Pulmonary abscess
Large collection of pus (bacterial) in the lungs.
Lung Disorders: Pulmonary embolism (PE)
Clot or other material lodges in vessels of the lung; can lead to pulmonary infarction (necrosis).
Lung Disorders: Pulmonary fibrosis
Formation of scar tissues in the connective tissue of the lungs; result of chronic inflammation or irritation.
Lung Disorders: Tuberculosis (TB)
Infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis; lungs usually are involved but any organ in the body may be affected; cough, weight loss, night sweats, hemoptysis, pleuritic pain, treat with several drugs at the same time; tuberculin skin test given to hospital and medical employees because TB is highly contagious.
Pleural Disorders: Mesothelioma
Rare malignant tumor arising in the pleura due to asbestos exposure; industrial workers (textile, insulation, building materials,,, etc).
Pleural Disorders: Pleural effusion
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity (space).
Pleural Disorders: Pleurisy (pleuritis)
Inflammation of pleura; causes pleuro / dynia and dyspnea and plueral effusion (if chronic).
Pleural Disorders: Pneumothorax
Air gathers in the pleural cavity.
Clinical Procedures: X-rays
- Chest x-ray (CXR).
- Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest.
- Pulmonary angiography.
Clinical Procedures: Chest X-ray (CXR)
Radiographic image of the thoracic cavity (chest film).
Clinical Procedures: Computed Tomography (CT) scan
Computer generated series of x-ray images show thoracic/abdominal structures in cross section.
Clinical Procedures: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic waves create images.
Clinical Procedures: Bronchoscopy
Fiberoptic or rigid endoscope inserted into the bronchial tubes for diagnosis, biopsy, or collection of secretions.
Clinical Procedures: Endotracheal intubation
Placement of tube from mouth to trachea to establish airway.
Clinical Procedures: Laryngoscopy
Visual exam of the voice box.
Clinical Procedures: Mediastinoscopy
Visual exam of the mediastinum (cut made over sternum).
Clinical Procedures: Lung biopsy
Removal of lung tissue for microscopic exam.
Clinical Procedures: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
Test to measure the ventilation mechanics of the lungs (airway function, lung volume/capacity) with a spirometer (measures the volume and rate of air).
Clinical Procedures: Thoracentesis
Surgical puncture to remove fluid from pleural space.
Clinical Procedures: Thoraco/tomy
Large surgical incision of the chest (biopsy, resections such as lob/ectomy or pneumon/ectomy).
Clinical Procedures: Thoracoscopy (thorascopy)
Visual exam of the chest via small incisions and use of an endoscope.
Clinical Procedures: Tube thoraco/stomy
Chest tube is passed through an opening in the chest to continuously drain a pleural effusion.
Clinical Procedures: Tracheostomy
Surgical creation of an opening into the trachea through the neck.
ABGs
Arterial blood gasses
ARDS
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
CF
Cystic fibrosis
CO2
Carbon dioxide
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CXR
Chest x-ray (film)
DPT
Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
ICU
Intensive care unit
O2
Oxygen
PE
Pulmonary embolism
SOB
Shortness of breath
TB
Tuberculosis
