Chapter 16 Respiratory Emergencies: Vital Vocabulary

Question 1

Refers to abnormal breath sounds or noises that occur in addition to the normal breath sounds; examples are crackles and wheezes.

Answer 1

adventitious

Question 2

The saclike units at the end of the bronchioles in which gas exchange takes place.

Answer 2

alveoli

Question 3

The drawing in or out by suction. In the lungs, aspiration of food, liquids, blood, or foreign objects can occur when a patient is unable to protect his or her own airway.

Answer 3

aspiration

Question 4

Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs.

Answer 4

atelectasis

Question 5

A pharmacologic agent that stimulates the beta-2 receptor sites found in smooth muscle; includes common bronchodilators such as albuterol and levalbuterol.

Answer 5

beta-2 agonist

Question 6

Poisoning characterized by severe muscle paralysis and usually caused by eating food containing botulinum toxin.

Answer 6

botulism

Question 7

Severe constriction of smooth muscle surrounding the bronchial tree.

Answer 7

bronchospasm

Question 8

Deep cyanosis of the face and neck that extends across the chest and back; associated with little or no blood flow; a particularly ominous sign.

Answer 8

cape cyanosis

Question 9

A ridgelike projection of tracheal cartilage located where the tracheal bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi.

Answer 9

carina

Question 10

Contorted positioning of the hand or foot in which the fingers or toes flex in a clawlike manner; may be caused by hyperventilation.

Answer 10

carpopedal spasm

Question 11

A chronic inflammatory condition affecting the bronchi that is characterized by excessive mucus production as a result of overgrowth of the mucous glands in the airways.

Answer 11

chronic bronchitis

Question 12

Heart disease that develops because of chronic lung disease and affects primarily the right side of the heart.

Answer 12

cor pulmonale

Question 13

The abnormal breath sounds that have a fine, crackling quality; previously called rales.

Answer 13

crackles

Question 14

A common disease of infancy and childhood caused by upper airway obstruction and characterized by stridor, hoarseness, and a barking cough.

Answer 14

croup

Question 15

The production of large amounts of urine by the kidney.

Answer 15

diuresis

Question 16

The infiltration of any tissue by air or gas; a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by distention of the alveoli and destructive changes in the lung parenchyma.

Answer 16

emphysema

Question 17

A sitting position with the head elevated to a 90° angle. (sitting straight upright).

Answer 17

Fowler position

Question 18

A mesh filter placed in the inferior vena cava to catch blood clots in patients who are at high risk of pulmonary embolus.

Answer 18

Greenfield filter

Question 19

A disease of unknown cause characterized by progressive paralysis moving from the feet to the head (ascending paralysis); if paralysis reaches the diaphragm, the patient may require respiratory support.

Answer 19

Guillain-Barre’ syndrome

Question 20

An iron-containing protein within red blood cells that has the ability to combine with oxygen.

Answer 20

hemoglobin

Question 21

Coughing up blood in sputum.

Answer 21

hemoptysis

Question 22

Engorgement of the jugular veins when the liver is gently pressed; this finding is specific to right-sided heart failure.

Answer 22

hepatojugular reflux

Question 23

An excess of oxygen

Answer 23

hyperoxia

Question 24

To move inadequate volumes of air into the lungs.

Answer 24

hypoventilate

Question 25

A dangerous condition in which the supply of oxygen to the tissues is reduced.

Answer 25

hypoxia

Question 26

A state in which the stimulus to breathe comes from a decrease in PaO2, rather than from the normal stimulus, an increase in PaCO2.

Answer 26

hypoxic drive

Question 27

The visible bulging of the jugular veins when a patient is in a semi-Fowler or full Fowler position; indicates inadequate blood movement through the heart and/ or lungs.

Answer 27

jugular venous distention

Question 28

A respiratory pattern characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis, with marked hyperpnea and tachypnea; represents the body's attempt to compensate for the acidosis.

Answer 28

Kussmaul respirations

Question 29

Inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi.

Answer 29

laryngotracheobronchitis

Question 30

Firming of the lungs as a result of fluid accumulation.

Answer 30

lung consolidation

Question 31

The transfer of a disease from one organ or part of the body to another that is not directly connected to the original site; often used to describe a cancer that has spread to another part of the body.

Answer 31

metastasis

Question 32

The sound of one note during wheezing, caused by the vibration of a single bronchus.

Answer 32

monophonic

Question 33

Severe dyspnea experienced when recumbent that is relieved by sitting or standing up.

Answer 33

orthopnea

Question 34

One of three sets of lymphatic organs that constitute the tonsils; located in the back of the throat, on each side of the posterior opening of the oral cavity; help protect the body from bacteria and other pathogens introduced into the mouth and nose.

Answer 34

palatine tonsils

Question 35

The functional portions of a gland or solid organ.

Answer 35

parenchyma

Question 36

Severe shortness of breath occurring suddenly at night after several hours of recumbency, as fluid pools in the lungs.

Answer 36

paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Question 37

Excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.

Answer 37

pleural effusion

Question 38

Inflammation of the lung caused by an infectious agent.

Answer 38

pneumonia

Question 39

Lung inflammation from an irritant, such as a chemical, dust, or radiation, or from aspiration, such as aspiration of gastric contents.

Answer 39

pneumonitis

Question 40

The production of too many red blood cells over time, making the blood thick; a characteristic with chronic lung disease and chronic hypoxia.

Answer 40

polycythemia

Question 41

The sound of multiple notes during wheezing; caused by the vibrations of multiple bronchi.

Answer 41

polyphonic

Question 42

A false membrane formed by a dead tissue layer; seen in the posterior pharynx of patients with diphtheria.

Answer 42

pseudomembrane

Question 43

Weakening or loss of a palpable pulse during inspiration; characteristic of conditions that cause profound pressure changes in the thorax, such as cardiac tamponade and severe asthma.

Answer 43

pulsus paradoxus

Question 44

Full of pus; having the character of pus.

Answer 44

purulent

Question 45

A term used to describe any condition that causes hyperreactive bronchioles and bronchospasm in response to certain triggers.

Answer 45

reactive airway disease

Question 46

Diseases that limit the ability of the lungs to expand appropriately. Skeletal abnormalities such as kyphosis and scoliosis are common examples of conditions that can cause these diseases.

Answer 46

restrictive lung diseases

Question 47

The drawing in of the intercostal muscles and the muscles above the clavicles that can occur in respiratory distress.

Answer 47

retractions

Question 48

The nonstriated involuntary muscle found in vessel walls, glands, and the gastrointestinal tract.

Answer 48

smooth muscle

Question 49

A noise made during inhalation when the upper airway is partially obstructed by the tongue.

Answer 49

snoring

Question 50

A device that collects medication as it is released from the canister of a metered-dose inhaler, allowing more medication to be delivered to the lungs and less to be lost to the environment.

Answer 50

spacer

Question 51

A severe, prolonged asthma attack that cannot be stopped with conventional treatment, such as the administration of epinephrine.

Answer 51

status asthmaticus

Question 52

A harsh, high-pitched inspiratory sound representing air moving past an obstruction within or immediately above the glottic opening; associated with severe upper airway obstruction, such as that caused by laryngeal edema.

Answer 52

stridor

Question 53

Vibrations in the chest that can be felt with a hand on the chest as the patient breathes.

Answer 53

tactile fremitus

Question 54

The opening created during a tracheostomy procedure.

Answer 54

tracheostomoy

Question 55

A chronic bacterial disease caused by Myobacterium tuberculosis that usually affects the lungs but can also affect other organs, such as the brain and kidneys.

Answer 55

tuberculosis

Question 56

The process of exchanging air between the lungs and the environment; includes inhalation and exhalation.

Answer 56

ventilation