procedures and pharmacology Flashcards
arterial blood gases (ABGs)
test of arterial blood; generally used to determine oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in blood
sputum culture and sensitivity (C&S)
Laboratory test of sputum for bacterial infection by placing it on culture medium and observing for any bacterial growth; specimen is then tested to determine antibiotic effectiveness
sputum cytology
microscopic examination sputum for malignant cells
broncography
process of recording lung after radiopaque substance inserted into trachea or bronchial tube; x-ray produced is bronchogram
chest X-ray (CXR)
taking radiographic picture of lungs and heart from back and sides
pulmonary angiography
process of recording long blood vessels after injecting dye into bloodstream; x-ray produced is pulmonary angiogram
ventilation-perfusion scan
nuclear medicine, diagnostic test especially useful in identifying pulmonary emboli; radioactive error is inhaled for ventilation portion to determine if air is filling entire lung; radioactive intravenous injection shows if blood is flowing to all parts of lung
bronchoscopy
process of visually examining instead of bronchi; uses instrument called bronchoscope
laryngoscopy
process of visually examining interior of larynx with lighted instrument called laryngoscope
oximetry
process of measuring oxygen level in blood using device, oximeter, placed on patient’s fingertip or earlobe
pulmonary function test (PFT)
Group of diagnostic tests that give information regarding airflow in and out of lungs, long volumes, and gas exchange between lungs and bloodstream
spirometry
process of measuring lung capacity using instrument called spirometer
polysomnography (PSG)
process of recording several body functions while patient sleeps; includes breathing pattern, brain waves, oxygen level, heart rate, and eye and body movements; test often used to identify sleep apnea; also called sleep apnea study
sweat test
test for cystic fibrosis; patients with this disease have abnormally large amount of salt in their sweat
tuberculin skin test
procedure in which tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) is applied under surface of skin to determine if patient has been exposed to tuberculosis; also called a mantoux test
aerosol therapy
medication suspended, and missed in air for inhalation; delivered by nebulizer, which provides for a period of time while patients, or metered-dose inhaler (MDI), which delivers single puff of mist
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Machine that supplies, constant and steady air pressure through mask; keeps airways continuously open; common treatment for sleep apnea
endotracheal intubation
placing of a tube through mouth, through glottis, and into trachea to create patent airway
intermittent positive pressure (IPPB)
method for assisting patients in breathing using mask connected to machine that produces increased positive thoracic pressure; used to assist persons with severe lung disease increase the depth of their breaths
nasal cannula
two-pronged plastic device for delivering oxygen into nose; one prong is inserted into each naris
postural drainage
drainage of secretion from bronchi by placing patient in position that uses gravity to promote drainage; used for treatment of cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis
Supplemental oxygen therapy
providing patient with additional concentration of oxygen to improve oxygen levels in bloodstream; oxygen may be provided by mask or nasal cannula
ventilator
Machine that provides artificial ventilation for patients unable to breathe on their own; also called respirator
hyperbaric oxygen treatment
Treatment that occurs inside a sealed pressure chamber; one person breathes air at roughly two-and-a-half times normal atmospheric pressure; this increased pressure results in an increased amount of oxygen passing into the bloodstream; used to treat conditions such as poorly healing wounds, infections, bone infections, carbon monoxide poisoning
