Chapter 13 Flashcards
acidosis
The buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that results from a primary illness
adventitious breath sounds
Abnormal breaths sounds such as wheezes, rhonchi, and rales
alkalosis
The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids
allergen
A substance that causes an allergic reaction
anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock)
An extreme, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure
asthma
An acute spasm of the smaller air passages, called bronchioles, associated with excessive mucus production and with swelling of the mucous lining of the respiratory passages
atelectasis
Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs
bronchial breath sounds
Normal breath sounds made by air moving through the bronchi
bronchiolitis
Inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus
bronchitis
An acute or chronic inflammation of the lung that may damage lung tissue; usually associated with cough and production of sputum and, depending on its cause, sometimes fever
carbon dioxide retention
A condition characterized by a chronically high blood level of carbon dioxide in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high blood levels of carbon dioxide
carbon monoxide
An odorless, highly poisonous gas that results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion
chronic bronchitis
Irritation of the major lung passageways from infectious disease or irritants such as smoke
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction
common cold
A viral infection usually associated with swollen nasal mucous membranes and the production of fluid from the sinuses and nose
croup
An inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause a partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in children
diphtheria
An infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx
dyspnea
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
embolus
A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage
emphysema
A disease of the lungs in which there is extreme dilation and eventual destruction of the pulmonary alveoli with poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide; it is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
epidemic
Occurs when new cases of a disease occur in a human population and substantially exceed what is “expected” based on recent experience
epiglottitis
A disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction
hay fever
An allergic response usually to outdoor airborne allergens such as pollen or sometimes indoor allergens such as dust mites or pet dander; also called allergic rhinitis
hyperventilation
Rapid or deep breathing that lowers the blood carbon dioxide level below normal
hyperventilation syndrome (panic attack)
This syndrome occurs in the absence of other physical problems. The respirations of a person who is experiencing hyperventilation syndrome may be as high as 40 shallow breaths/min or as low as only 20 very deep breaths/min.
hypoxia
A condition in which the body’s cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen
hypoxic drive
Backup system to control respirations when oxygen levels fall
influenza type A
Virus that has crossed the animal/human barrier and has infected humans, recently reaching a pandemic level with the H1N1 strain
meningococcal meningitis
An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; can be highly contagious
metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
A miniature spray canister used to direct medications through the mouth and into the lungs
methicillin-resistant Stphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
A bacterium that can cause infections in different parts of the body; it is transmitted by different routes, including the respiratory route and is particularly dangerous because of its resistance to methicillin
oxygenation
The process of delivering oxygen to the blood
pandemic
An outbreak that occurs on a global scale
pertussis (whooping cough)
An airborne bacterial infection that affects mostly children younger than 6 years. Patients will be feverish and exhibit a “whoop” sound on inspiration after a coughing attack; highly contagious through droplet infection
pleural effusion
A collection of fluid between the lung and chest wall that may compress the lung
pleuritic chest pain
Sharp, stabbing pain in the chest that is worsened by a deep breath or other chest wall movement; often caused by inflammation or irritation of the pleura
pneumonia
An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue
pneumonitis
Inflammation of the lung
pneumothorax
A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space
pulmonary edema
A buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of congestive heart failure
pulmonary embolism
A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow
rales
Crackling, rattling breath sounds signaling fluid in the air spaces of the lungs
respiration
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
A virus that causes an infection of the lungs and breathing passages; can lead to other serious illnesses that affect the lungs or heart, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. RSV is highly contagious and spread through droplets.
rhonchi
Coarse breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the airways
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
Potentially life-threatening viral infection that usually starts with flulike symptoms
small-volume nebulizer
A respiratory device that holds liquid medicine that is turned into a fine mist. The patient inhales the medication into the airways and lungs as a treatment for conditions like asthma
stridor
A harsh, high-pitched, barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction
tuberculosis (TB)
A disease that can lay dormant in a person’s lungs for decades, then reactivate; many strains are resistant to many antibiotics. TB is spread by cough.
vesicular breath sounds
Normal breath sounds made by air moving in and out of the alveoli
wheezing
A high-pitched, whistling breath sound, characteristically heard on expiration in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
