Chapter 14 - Airway Flashcards
Agonal Respirations
Slow, shallow, irregular respirations resulting from anoxic brain injury
Air Trapping
A respiratory pattern associated with an obstruction in the pulmonary tree; the respiratory rate increases to overcome resistance in getting air out, the respiratory effort become more shallow, the volume of trapped air increases, and the lungs inflate.
Alveolar Air Volume
In contrast to dead air space, alveolar volume is the amount of air that does reach the alveoli for gas enhance (approximately 350mL in the adult male). It is the difference between tidal volume and dead-space volume.
Angle of Louis
An angulation of the sternum that indicates the point where the second rib joins the sternum; also called the Manubriosternal Juction
Anoxia
A total lack of oxygen availability to the tissues.
Apnea
Respiratory arrest
Atelectasis
An abnormal condition characterized by the collapse of alveoli, preventing the respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen in a part of the lungs.
Barrier Device
A thin film of material placed on the patient’s face used to prevent direct contact with the patient’s mouth during positive-pressure ventilation.
Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)
The delivery of two (bi) levels of positive-pressure ventilation; one during inspiration (to keep the airway open as the patient inhales) and the other (lower) pressure during expiration to reduce the work of exhalation
Biot Respirations
Irregular respirations varying in rate and depth and interrupted by periods of apnea; associated with increased intracranial pressure, brain damage at the level of the medulla, and respiratory compromise from drug poisoning.
Bradypnea
A respiratory rate that is persistently slower than normal for age; in adults, a rate slower than 12 breath/min.
Capnograph
A device that provides a numerical reading of exhaled CO2 concentrations and a waveform (tracing).
Capnography
Continuous analysis and recording of CO2 concentrations in respiratory gases.
Capnometer
A device used to measure the concentration of CO2 at the end of exhalation.
Capnometry
A numeric reading of exhaled CO2 concentrations without a continuous written record or waveform.
Carina
The point where the trachea divides into the right and left mainstem bronchi.
Central Neurogenic Hyperventilation
Similar to Kussmaul Respirations; characterized as deep, rapid breathing; associated with increased intracranial pressure.
Cheyne-Stokes Respirations
A pattern of gradually increasing rate and depth of breathing that tapers to slower and shallower breathing with a period of apnea before the cycle repeats itself; often described as a crescendo-decrescendo pattern or periodic breathing.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A progressive and irreversible condition characterized by diminished inspiratory and expiratory capacity of the lungs.
Compliance
The resistance of the patient’s lung tissue to ventilation.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
The delivery of slight positive pressure throughout the respiratory cycle to prevent airway collapse, reduce the work of breathing, and improve alveolar ventilation.
Costal Angle
The angle formed by the margins of the ribs at the sternum.
Coughing
A protective mechanism usually induced by mucosal irritation; the forceful, spastic expiration experienced during coughing aids in the clearance of the bronchi and bronchioles.
Crackles (Rales)
As the name implies, when fluid accumulates in the smaller airway passages, air passing through the fluid creates a moist crackling or popping sound heard on inspiration.
Crepitation
A crackling sound indicative of bone ends grinding together.
Cricothyroid Membrane
A fibrous membrane located between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages.
Cricothyrotomy
An emergency procedure performed to allow rapid entrance to the airway (by the cricothyroid membrane) for temporary oxygenation and ventilation.
Dead Air Space
Not all the air inspired during a breath participates in gas exchange and can be further classified as anatomic or physiologic dead space. In the average adult male this equates to approximately 150 mL. Anatomic dead space includes airway passages such as the trachea and bronchi, which are incapable of participating in gas exchange. Alveoli that have the potential to participate in gas exchange but do not because of disease or obstruction, as in COPD or atelectasis, are referred to as Physiologic Dead Space.
Dyspnea
An uncomfortable awareness of one’s breathing that may be associated with a change in the breathing rate, effort, or pattern.
Endotracheal (ET)
Within or through the trachea.
Endotracheal Intubation
An advanced airway procedure in which a tube is placed directly in the trachea.
Exhaled CO2 Detector
A capnometer that provides a noninvasive estimate of alveolar ventilation, the concentration of exhaled CO2 from the lungs, and arterial carbon dioxide content; also called an End-Tidal CO2 Detector.
Expiratory Reserve Volume
Amount of gas that can be forcefully expired at the end of a normal expiration.
External Respiration
The exchange of gases between the alveoli of the lungs and the blood cells traveling through the pulmonary capillaries.
Extubation
Removal of an ET tube from the trachea.