Chapter 13: Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards
the buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that results from a primary illness
acidosis
Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezes, rhonchi, and rales
adventitious breath sounds
The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids
alkalosis
A substance that causes an allergic reaction
allergen
An extreme, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure
anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock)
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
asthma
Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs
atelectasis
normal breath sounds made by air moving through the bronchi
bronchial breath sounds
Inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus
bronchiolitis
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
bronchitis
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 dioxide retention
An odorless, highly poisonous gas that results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion
carbon monoxide
Irritation of the major lung passageways from infectious disease or irritants such as smoke
chronic bronchitis
A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A viral infection usually associated with swollen nasal mucous membranes and the production of fluid from the sinuses and nose
common cold
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.
croup
An infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx
diphtheria
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
dyspnea
a blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage
embolus
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
emphysema
Occurs when new cases of a disease occur in a human population and substantially exceed what is “expected,” based on recent experience
epidemic
A disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction
epiglottitis
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
hay fever
rapid or deep breathing that lowers the blood carbon dioxide level below normal
hyperventilation
This syndrome occurs in the absence of other physical problems. The respirations of a person who is experiencing this may be as high as 40 shallow breaths/min or as low as only 20 very deep breaths/min
hyperventilation syndrome (panic attack)
A condition in which the body’s cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen
hypoxia
backup system to control respirations when oxygen levels fall
hypoxic drive
virus that has crossed the animal/human barrier and has infected humans, recently reaching a pandemic level with the H1N1 strain
influenza type A
An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; can be highly contagious
meningococcal meningitis
A miniature spray canister used to direct medications through the mouth and into the lungs
metered-does inhaler (MDI)
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
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
The process of delivering oxygen to the blood
oxygenation
An outbreak that occurs on a global scale
pandemic
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
pertussis (whooping cough)
A collection of fluid between the lungs and chest wall that may compress the lung
pleural effusion
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
pleuritic chest pain
An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue
pneumonia
inflammation of the lung
pneumonitis
A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space
pneumothorax
A buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of congestive heart failure
pulmonary edema
A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow
pulmonary embolism
Crackling, rattling breath sounds signaling fluid in the air spaces of the lungs
rales
the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
respiration
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. It is highly contagious and spread through droplets
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Coarse breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the airways
rhonchi
Potentially life-threatening viral infection that usually starts with flulike symptoms
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
A respiratory device 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
small-volume nebulizer
A harsh, high-pitched, barking respiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction
stridor
A disease that can lay dormant in a person’s lungs for decades, then reactivate; many strains are resistant to many antibiotics. It is spread by cough
tuberculosis (TB)
Normal breath sounds made by air moving in and out of the alveoli
vesicular breath sounds
A high-pitched whistling breath sound, characteristically heard on expiration in patients with asthma or COPD
wheezing
