Key Terms

Question 0

Catheter

Answer 0

A rubber, plastic, metal, or glass tube used to remove or inject fluids into a person

Question 1

Anterior monitoring line (Art. Line)

Answer 1

A catheter inserted into an artery and attached to an electronic monitoring system to directly measure arterial blood pressure

Question 2

Cyanosis

Answer 2

A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by an excessive concentration of reduced hemoglobin in the blood

Question 3

Dialysis

Answer 3

The diffusion of solute molecules through a semipermeable membrane passing from the side of higher concentration to the side of lower concentration; a method sometimes used in defective renal function to remove elements from the blood that are normally excreted through urine (hemodialysis)

Question 4

Electrocardiogram (ECG or (EKG)

Answer 4

A graphical record of the hearts electrical action derived by amplification of minutely small electrical impulses normally generated by the heart

Question 5

Endotrachea (ETT) tube

Answer 5

A hollow tube with inflatable cuff near one end that is inserted and positioned in the trachea. After the tube has been positioned, the cuff is inflated to maintain the tubes position so the patient can breathe through the tube.

Question 6

Infusion

Answer 6

The slow therapeutic introduction of fluid other than blood into a vein

Question 7

Intravenous therapy

Answer 7

The introduction of fluid into a persons vein; nutrients or medication may be supplied intravenously

Question 8

Myocardial infarction

Answer 8

Necrosis of the cells of an area of the heart muscle resulting from oxygen deprivation caused by an obstruction of the blood supply

Question 9

Nasogastric (NG) tube

Answer 9

A plastic tube usually inserted into a nostril and ending in the stomach. It can be used to remove fluid or gas from the stomach, monitor digestive function of the stomach, administer medications or nutrients, or obtain specimens of stomach content

Question 10

Oximeter

Answer 10

A photoelectric device that measures oxygen saturation of the blood

Question 11

Pneumothorax

Answer 11

Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity resulting in collapse of the lung on the affected side

Question 12

Shunt

Answer 12

A passage or anastomoses between two natural vessels, especially two blood vessels

Question 13

Swan-Ganz catheter

Answer 13

A long intravenous tube inserted into a vein and terminating in the pulmonary artery. A monitor attached to a catheter measures the pulmonary artery pressure and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure; it permits evaluation of cardiac function

Question 14

Trendelenberg’s position

Answer 14

A position in which the patient lies supine with the head lower than the rest of the body

Question 15

Ventilator

Answer 15

A mechanical apparatus designed to intermittently or continuously assist or control pulmonary ventilation (breathing); also referred to as a respirator