Medications and Statistics Flashcards
Hb
Haemoglobin.
Every RBC contains Hb which contains 4 haem groups. Each haem group binds to an O2 molecule. 4 O2 molecules to every rbc. O2 binds to a group because of the Fe2+ it contains and O2 is 2-.
PaO2
The partial pressure of oxygen, (PaO2), is a measurement of oxygen pressure in arterial blood. It reflects how well oxygen is able to move from the lungs to the blood, and it is often altered by severe illnesses (e.g. COPD).
PaCO2
The partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) is one of several measures calculated by an arterial blood gases (ABG) test often performed on people with lung diseases, neuromuscular diseases, and other respiratory illnesses.
SaO2
A blood-oxygen saturation reading indicates the percentage of hemoglobin molecules in the arterial blood which are saturated with oxygen. Low SaO2 can indicate patients with worsening breathlessness; in conditions such as asthma, COPD and heart failure; and in acute respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza in both adults and children.
Oxygen dissociation curve
a curve that plots the proportion of hemoglobin in its saturated (oxygen-laden) form on the vertical axis against O2 partial pressure.
Hyperinflation (lung)
This occurs when air gets trapped in the lungs and causes them to overinflate. Hyperinflated lungs are often seen in COPD patients, a disorder that includes emphysema. Certain lung problems, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis, also can cause hyperinflation.
Equal pressure point
The point at which pressure inside the airway equals pressure outside (intrapleural pressure). Above the equal pressure point airway collapse can occur (which is opposed by cartilaginous support in larger airways and traction by alveolar elastic recoil in smaller airways)
pH (of blood)
A measure of how acidic/alkaline a solution is. Breathing too fast can cause a person to go into respiratory alkalosis. This occurs when a person’s pH level is higher than 7.45. A person may breathe too fast due to anxiety, overdosing on certain medications, or using a ventilator.
V/Q mismatch
A V/Q mismatch happens when part of your lung receives oxygen without blood flow or blood flow without oxygen. It can also happen when a medical condition causes you to bring in air but not extract oxygen, or bring in blood but not pick up oxygen.
Hypoxaemia
Low conc. of O2 in the blood. Can be caused by lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis
Hypercapnia
Too high a conc. of CO2 in the blood, it usually happens as a result of hypoventilation, or not being able to breathe properly and get oxygen into your lungs. (can be caused by obesity).
Reliever Inhaler
Inhaled medication that provides symptomatic relief to diseases such as asthma. Primary step of treating asthma.
Preventer Inhaler
Inhaled medication that controls inflammation of the airways, used as a secondary medication (combination therapy). These are used everyday.
Consolidation
Consolidation is the result of replacement of air in the alveoli by transudate, pus, blood, cells or other substances. Pneumonia is by far the most common cause of consolidation. The disease usually starts within the alveoli and spreads from one alveolus to another.
