Definitions Flashcards
Afterload
the tension developed by the heart during contraction; it is an important determinant of myocardial energy consumption, as it represents the resistance against which the ventricle must pump and indicates how much effort the ventricles must put forth to force blood into the systemic circulation.
Aminophylline
a mixture of theophylline and ethylenediamine, acting as a respiratory stimulant, smooth muscle relaxant, myocardial stimulant, and diuretic. It is used as a bronchodilator and also as an antidote to dipyridamole toxicity. Administration may be oral, intramuscular, intravenous, or rectal. If intravenous administration is too rapid it can cause circulatory collapse. Intramuscular administration should be done with caution because aminophylline is very irritating to the tissues. Oral administration must also be cautious because there could be gastric or urinary irritation.
Anatomical dead space
the portions of the respiratory tract that are ventilated but not perfused by pulmonary circulation; the airways of the mouth, nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles.
Aneurysm
Blood-filled sac in an artery wall caused by dilation or weakening of the wall
Angioplasty
Angioplasty is a term describing a procedure used to widen vessels narrowed by stenoses or occlusions. There are various types of these procedures and their names are associated with the type of vessel entry and equipment used. For example, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) describes entry through the skin (percutaneous) and navigates to the area of the vessel of interest through the same vessel or one that communicates with it (transluminal). In the case of a procedure involving the coronary arteries, the point of entry could be the femoral artery in the groin and the catheter/guidewire system is passed through the aorta to the heart and the origin of the coronary arteries at the base of the aorta just outside the aortic valve.
Angiotensin
A potent vasoconstrictor activated by renin; also triggers release of aldosterone
Anticholinergic
Inhibiting or blocking the physiological action of acetylcholine at a receptor site
Appendectomy/Appendicectomy
Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. The appendix is a worm-shaped hollow pouch attached to the cecum, the beginning of the large intestine.
Atenolol
a cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent used in the treatment of hypertension and chronic angina pectoris and the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmias; administered orally or intravenously.
Atopic
Of, relating to, or caused by a hereditary predisposition to developing allergic reactions, such as hay fever, asthma, or urticaria, after exposure to specific antigens such as pollen, food, and insect venoms.
Beclomethasone
a synthetic glucocorticoid administered, as the dipropionate salt, by inhalation for the chronic treatment of bronchial asthma and intranasally for seasonal and nonseasonal allergic rhinitis or other allergic or inflammatory nasal conditions, and to prevent recurrence of nasal polyps after surgical removal; also used topically for relief of inflammation and pruritus in certain dermatoses.
Beta blocker
Beta-adrenergic blocking agent Pharmacology Any of a class of agents that blocks β1 and/or β2 adrenergic receptors in the nervous system Effect ↓ Heart rate, ↓ BP, ↓ anxiety Indications Angina, arrhythmias, HTN, mitral valve prolapse, tachycardia, etc
Beta-2-agonist/beta-2 sympathomimetic
A medication that stimulates bronchodilation. Examples include albuterol, salmeterol, terbutaline,
Blood pressure – normal range
Adults- less than 120 mm Hg for the systolic pressure and less than 80 mm Hg for the diastolic pressure.
Children-Vary depending on the age, sex and height of the child. In general, normal blood pressure is higher for males and increases with increasing age and height, but the normal numbers must be determined by looking at a chart
Bradycardia
slowness of the heartbeat, so that the pulse rate is less than 60 per minute. This can occur in normal persons, particularly during sleep; trained athletes also usually have slow pulse and heart rates.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a cylindrical fiberoptic scope is inserted into the airways. This scope contains a viewing device that allows the visual examination of the lower airways. There are two types of bronchoscopes, a rigid tube and a fiberoptic tube. Because of its flexibility, the fiberoptic tube is usually preferred. However, if the purpose of the procedure is to remove a foreign body caught in the windpipe or lungs of a child, the more rigid tube must be used because of its larger size.
Cholecystectomy
A cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. The two basic types of this procedure are open cholecystectomy and the laparoscopic approach. It is estimated that the laparoscopic procedure is currently used for approximately 80% of cases.
Collateral ventilation
the ventilation of alveoli in the lungs through indirect pathways, such as Kohn’s pores in alveolar septa or anastomosing bronchioles.
Colostomy
Colostomy refers to a surgical procedure where a portion of the large intestine is brought through the abdominal wall to carry stool out of the body.
Crackle
Fine
Medium
coarse
Cyanosis
Cyanosis is a physical sign causing bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. Cyanosis is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis is associated with cold temperatures, heart failure, lung diseases, and smothering. It is seen in infants at birth as a result of heart defects, respiratory distress syndrome, or lung and breathing problems.
Cystectomy
Cystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the bladder.
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy (cystourethroscopy) is a diagnostic procedure that is used to look at the bladder (lower urinary tract), collect urine samples, and examine the prostate gland. Performed with an optic instrument known as a cystoscope (urethroscope), this instrument uses a lighted tip for guidance to aid in diagnosing urinary tract disease and prostate disease. Performed by a urologist, this surgical test also enables biopsies to be taken or small stones to be removed by way of a hollow channel in the cystoscope.
Diuretic
An agent that increases the amount of urine excreted
Dyspnoea
Shortness of breath, a subjective difficulty or distress in breathing, usually associated with disease of the heart or lungs; occurs normally during intense physical exertion or at high altitude.
Epidural
An epidural injection administered in the epidural space of the vertebral column
Equal pressure point
During forced exhalation, the point at an airway where the pressure inside the airway equals the intrapleural pressure. When the pleural pressure is greater than the pressure inside the airway, it tends to cause bronchiolar collapse.
Exercise induced bronchoconstriction
A condition in which intense physical exertion results in acute airway narrowing in individuals with airway hyperreactivity.
Expiratory reserve volume
the additional amount of air that can be expired from the lungs by determined effort after normal expiration
FEV1/FVC x100 (FEV1%)
A healthy patient expires approximately 80% of all the air out of his lungs in the first second during the FVC maneuver. A patient with an obstruction of the upper airways has a decreased FEV1/FVC ratio. A FEV1% that is too high is suggestive for a restriction of the pulmonary volume.
Forced expiration technique
A type of cough that facilitates clearance of bronchial secretions while reducing the risk of bronchiolar collapse. One or two expirations are forced from average to low lung volume with an open glottis. A period of diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation follows.
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) measurement shows the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale in one second of the FVC test.
Forced vital capacity (FVC)
the maximal volume of gas that can be exhaled from full inhalation by exhaling as forcefully and rapidly as possible
Functional residual capacity
the amount of gas remaining at the end of normal quiet respiration.
Gastrectomy
Gastrectomy the surgical removal of all or part of the stomach.
Gastroscopy
inspection of the interior of the stomach with a gastroscope.
Haemoglobin – normal range
Males- 13.5-17.5 g/dL
Females- 12.5-15.5 g/dL
Haemothorax
Blood in the normally potential space between the outer covering of the lung (visceral PLEURA) and the inner lining of the chest wall (parietal pleura). Haemothorax is the result of injury or disease. Unless the blood is removed and the bleeding stopped, adhesions tend to occur between the two layers, causing restriction in the free movement of the lung.
Haemothorax
Blood in the normally potential space between the outer covering of the lung (visceral PLEURA) and the inner lining of the chest wall (parietal pleura). Haemothorax is the result of injury or disease. Unless the blood is removed and the bleeding stopped, adhesions tend to occur between the two layers, causing restriction in the free movement of the lung.
