Chapter 15 Flashcards
respiratory compromise
a general term referring to the inability of an individual to breathe adequately
hypoxia
an inadequate supply of oxygen
hypercarbia
an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the blood
respiratory distress
the body’s normal response to not getting an adequate supply of oxygen -also called dyspnea
dyspnea
shortness of breath
work of breathing
the amount of energy required to breathe in and out
respiratory failure
a respiratory condition characterized by altered mental status, slow respiratory rate, and shallow tidal volume; occurs when the body’s normal ability to compensate for inadequate oxygen fails
tripod position
a body position characterized by the individual sitting forward the hands on knees
accessory muscles
muscles of the neck, chest, and abdomen that can assist during respiratory difficulty
agonal respirations
an abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, shallow, gasping breaths that typically occur following cardiac arrest
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
a general term used to describe a group of lung diseases that commonly cause respiratory distress and shortness of breath
bronchitis
a condition of the lungs characterized by inflammation of the bronchial airways and mucus formation; a form of COPD
emphysema
a progressive condition of the lungs characterized by destruction of the alveoli; a form of COPD
asthma
a condition affecting the lungs, characterized by narrowing of the air passages and wheezing
wheezing
a course whistling sound often heard in the lungs when a patient with a respiratory compromise exhales; may also be heard of inspiration
