Medical Vocabulary Flashcards

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1
Q

Aerosol Therapy

A

An inhaled medication, suspended in a mist and delivered by a nebulizer while the patient breathes; also available in metered - dose inhaler form

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2
Q

Alveolar Sacs

A

Structure located at the ends of the bronchioles that lead in the alveoli

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3
Q

Alveoli

A

Tiny structures included in the alveolar sacs where gas exchange occurs

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4
Q

Antibiotic

A

A drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections

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5
Q

Antihistamine

A

A drug that blocks the effects of histamines, which are chemical in the body that produce symptoms of allergic reactions

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6
Q

Antitussive

A

A drug that suppresses a cough

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7
Q

Apnea

A

Temporary interruption of breathing

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8
Q

Arterial Blood Gases(ABGs)

A

A test used to assess the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood

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9
Q

Aspiration

A

Drawing in of a foreign body, food, or fluid through the nose, throat, or lungs during inspiration

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10
Q

Asthma

A

Condition characterized by sudden, periodic attacks by dyspnea accompanied by wheezing, causing by a spasm of the bronchial tubes or by swelling of the mucous membranes of the bronchi

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11
Q

Atelctasis

A

Collapsed or airless lung caused by any condition that prevent the alveoli from expanding normally to allow breathing and coughing

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12
Q

Beta - adrenergic Agonist

A

A drug that dilates the bronchi

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13
Q

Bradypnea

A

Condition of slower than normal breathing

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14
Q

Bronchi

A

Subdivisions of the trachea that convey air to and from the lungs; also known as bronchial tubes

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15
Q

Bronchioles

A

Very tiny airway branches that split off of the bronchi

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16
Q

Bronchitis

A

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes

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17
Q

Bronchodilator

A

A drug that relaxes muscle spasms in the bronchial tubes

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18
Q

Bronchogenic Carcinoma

A

A malignant tumor that originates in the bronchi; also known as lung cancer

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19
Q

Bronchoscopy

A

A visual examination inside the bronchi using a scope

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20
Q

Bronchospasm

A

Sudden, involuntary contractions in the bronchi

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21
Q

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

A

Emergency lifesaving treatment given to someone whose breathing or heartbeat has stopped

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22
Q

Carina

A

The ridge that separates the openings of the right and left main bronchi at their junction with the trachea

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23
Q

Chest X-ray (CXR)

A

A radiographic image of the lungs and heart; often done with anterior, posterior and lateral views

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24
Q

Cheyne - Stokes Respiration

A

Unusual breathing pattern characterized by periods of apnea (between 10 and 60 seconds), followed by gradually increasing respirations

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25
Q

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A

Disease characterized by a reduced ability of the lungs to perform their function of ventilation

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26
Q

Common Cold

A

Acute (short - term) inflammation of the respiratory mucous membranes; also called nasopharyngitis

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27
Q

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

A

The use of a machine that delivers mild air pressure to keep the airways open, a common treatment for sleep apnea

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28
Q

Croup

A

Childhood disease characterized by a “barking” cough and high - pitched breathing

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29
Q

Cyanosis

A

Condition of bluish tint to the skin due to lack of oxygen circulation to the body tissues

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30
Q

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

A

Inherited disease that affects the respiratory system, pancreas, and sweat glands

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31
Q

Decongestant

A

A drug that reduces congestion

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32
Q

Diaphragm

A

A dome - shaped structure the thoracic and abdominal cavities, which contracts to increase thoracic volume and inflates the lungs

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33
Q

Dyspnea

A

Difficult or painful breathing

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34
Q

Emphysema

A

Chronic pulmonary disease characterized by an abdominal increase in the size of the alveoli accompanied by loss of elasticity; results in shortness of breath and impaired heart function

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35
Q

Empyema

A

Pus in the pleural cavity; usually the result of a lung function

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36
Q

Endotracheal (ET) intubation

A

Insertion of a breathing tube through the mouth and glottis and into the trachea to open and maintain a clear airway

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37
Q

Epiglottis

A

A leaf - like structure of fibrocartilage that closes the opening to the larynx when you swallow food and liquid, and which opens to allow air into the larynx when you breathe

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38
Q

Epiglottitis

A

Inflammation of the epiglottis

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39
Q

Eupnea

A

Condition of normal breathing

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40
Q

Eustachian Tube

A

A bony and cartilaginous tube that connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx, and which equalizes pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane

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41
Q

Expectorant

A

A drug that produces thinner mucus

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42
Q

Expiration

A

The process of breathing out

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43
Q

External Respiration

A

A process that involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the cells of the body

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44
Q

Glottis

A

The space between the vocal cords

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45
Q

Glucocorticoid

A

A drug that suppresses inflammation

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46
Q

Hay Fever (allergic rhinitis)

A

Allergic disease of the mucous membranes in the nose and the upper respiratory passages; cause by exposure to pollen from grass, weeds, flowers, and other allergenic substances

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47
Q

Heimlich Manueuver

A

A lifesaving technique in which an obstructed airway is cleared by exerting pressure on the diaphragm

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48
Q

Hemothorax

A

Bloody fluid in the pleural cavity cause by the rupture of small blood vessels due to inflammation of the lungs

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49
Q

Hyperpnea

A

Condition of deeper than normal breathing

50
Q

Hyperventiliation

A

Condition in which breathing is faster and deeper than normal

51
Q

Hypoventilation

A

Condition in which breathing is too slow and shallow

52
Q

Influenza

A

Acute, contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract characterized by sudden onset, fever, chills, headache, myalgia (muscle aches), cough, and sore throat

53
Q

Inspiration

A

The process of breathing in

54
Q

Internal respiration

A

A process that involves gas exchange at the cellular and tissue levels

55
Q

Layngitis

A

Inflammation of the larynx

56
Q

Laryngopharynx

A

The third section of the pharynx, through which air, food, and liquid passes

57
Q

Larynx

A

The organ of voice production; also known as the voice box

58
Q

Lungs

A

The main organs of the respiratory system

59
Q

Mast cell stabilizer

A

A drug that inhibits release of histamines, which are chemicals in the body that produce symptoms of allergic reactions

60
Q

Mediastinum

A

A cavity that divides the lungs and which contains the trachea, esophagus, heart, superior and inferior vena cavae and aorta

61
Q

Medulla Oblongata

A

An area of the brain that acts as a control center that initiates and sustains the breathing process

62
Q

Mucolytic

A

A drug that loosens mucus

63
Q

Nasal Cavity

A

A cavity on either side of the nasal septum that filters, warms, and humidifies inhaled air

64
Q

Nasal Polyp

A

A tumor with a stem of new growth in the nose or nasal cavity

65
Q

Nasopharynx

A

The first section of the pharynx, through which air passes

66
Q

Olfactory Region

A

The area located on the roof on the nasal cavity, which is connected to the senses of smell and taste

67
Q

Oropharynx

A

The second section of the pharynx, through which air, food, and liquid pass

68
Q

Orthopnea

A

Condition in which breathing becomes easier when the patient is sitting up straight

69
Q

Oximetry

A

The use of noninvasive device, called an oximeter, to measure blood oxygen level

70
Q

Paranasal Sinuses

A

Two air filled cavities in the bones of the face that are lined by mucous membranes; include the frontal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses

71
Q

Parietal Pleura

A

The membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and upper side of the diaphragm

72
Q

Perfusionist

A

A healthcare worker who manages the heart - lung during operations when a patient’s heart must be stopped; can administer blood products and medications and control the patient’s body temp

73
Q

Pharyngitis

A

Inflammation of the phraynx

74
Q

Pharynx

A

The muscular, tubular passage of the digestive and respiratory tracts that extends from the back of the nasal cavity and mouth to the esophagus; also known as the throat

75
Q

Pleural Cavity

A

The space between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura

76
Q

Pleural Effusion

A

The escape of fluid into the pleural cavity due to excessive fluid buildup in the pleural space

77
Q

Pleural Fluid

A

The fluid located between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura, which helps reduce friction

78
Q

Pneumonia

A

Inflammation of the lungs caused by a bacterium, virus, fungus, or chemical irritant

79
Q

Pneumothorax

A

A collection of air or gas in the pleural space

80
Q

Polysomnography

A

Monitoring of a patient during sleep to aid in diagnosing apnea or other sleep disorders; also known as a sleep study

81
Q

Postural Drainage

A

A treatment used to drain pulmonary secretions after a patient has been placed in a position that uses gravity to promote the drainage (that is, the head lower than the feet)

82
Q

Pulmonary Angiography

A

An X-ray visualization of arteries and veins using a contrast agent (dye) injected into the patient’s bloodstream

83
Q

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

A

A traveling blood clot that becomes lodged in a lung

84
Q

Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

A

A group of tests performed to measure airflow into and out of the lungs; lung volumes; and gas exchange between the lungs and the bloodstream

85
Q

Pulmonologist

A

A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions and diseases of the lungs and cardiopulmonary system

86
Q

Rales

A

An abnormal crackling sound heard during auscultation of the lungs while the patient is breathing in; usually indicates the presence of fluid or mucus in the airway

87
Q

Respiration

A

The process of gas exchange

88
Q

Respiratory Rate

A

The number of breaths that a person takes in a minute; a type of vital sign used to measure the function of the respiratory system

89
Q

Respiratory Region

A

The area that is responsible for warming and humidifying the air that travels through it

90
Q

Respiratory Therapist

A

A healthcare worker who cares for patients suffering from health conditions and diseases that affect their breathing

91
Q

Rhochi

A

A coarse rattling or high - pitched snoring sound heard during auscultation of the lungs; usually indicates narrowing of the air passages, such as during asthma or aa respiratory infection

92
Q

Sinusitis

A

Inflammation of the sinuses cause by a viral of bacterial infection

93
Q

Sleep Apnea

A

Periodic cessation (interruption or stoppage) of breathing during sleep

94
Q

Spirometry

A

The measurement of air capacity in the lungs using a device called a spirometer

95
Q

Sputum

A

Mucus couughed up form the respiratory tract

96
Q

Sputum

A

Mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract

97
Q

Sputum culture and sensitivity

A

A test in which secretions from the lungs are places in a growth medium, observed for bacterial reproduction, and then tested for antibiotic effectiveness

98
Q

Sputum Cytology

A

The microscopic examination of lung secretions for the presence of malignant (cancerous) cells

99
Q

Sternum

A

The breastbone

100
Q

Strep Throat

A

Infection of the throat cause by the Streptococcus bacterium; characterized by a red, painful, and purulent (containing pus) throat

101
Q

Stridor

A

Harsh, high - pitched sound during respiration that indicates an airway obstruction

102
Q

Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

A

Additional concentration of oxygen provided by an endotracheal (ET) tube, mask, or nasal cannulae to increase blood oxygen levels

103
Q

Sweat Test

A

A test that aids in the diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) by measuring the amount of chloride (sodium) present in sweat

104
Q

Tachypnea

A

Condition of faster than normal breathing

105
Q

Thoracentesis

A

A surgical puncture into the chest wall to aspirate (draw out by means of suction) fluid from the pleural sac

106
Q

Thoracic Cage

A

The rib cage

107
Q

Thoracic Surgeon

A

A medical doctor who performs surgical procedures on organs in the chest

108
Q

Thoracic Surgery

A

A branch of medicine dealing with operative procedures that are used to diagnose and treat conditions and disease of the chest

109
Q

Thoracostomy

A

The surgical creation of an opening in the chest to drain air or fluid; also known as a chest tube

110
Q

Tonsillitis

A

Inflammation of the tonsils by a viral or bacterial infection

111
Q

Trachea

A

The air tube that extends from larynx and which allows air to travel to and from the lungs

112
Q

Tracheostomy

A

The surgical creation of an opening in the trachea to allow a patient to breathe more easily

113
Q

Tuberculin (TB) skin test (Mantoux tuberculin test)

A

The injection of a tuberculin - purified protein derivative (PPD) under the skin to determine whether or not a person has been exposed to tuberculosis

114
Q

Tuberculosis (TB)

A

A serious communicable (contagious) disease cause by a bacterial infection of the lungs which is spread through droplets of coughing and sneezing

115
Q

Upper Respiratory Tract

A

The area is responsible for the inhalation and humidification of air and for transporting air to the lower respiratory tract; includes the nose, nasal cavities, sinus cavities, pharynx and larynx

116
Q

Ventilation

A

The process by which air moves into and out of lungs

117
Q

Ventilation/Perfusion (V/Q) scan

A

A nuclear medicine diagnostic procedure in which radioactive air is inhaled by the patient and the lungs are observed to determine whether or not they are filling with air

118
Q

Ventilator

A

A machine that delivers artificial respiration for a patient who is unstable to breathe effectively on his or her own

119
Q

Vestibular Region

A

The area that contains coarse hairs that act as a first line of defense against infection

120
Q

Visceral Pleura

A

The serous (watery) membrane that encases and protects the lungs

121
Q

Vocal Cords

A

Mucous membrane folds in the larynx that move and produce sound; also known as vocal folds