Pulmonary Medical Terminology Flashcards
aer/o
air
Allergic Rhinitis
Seasonal or perennial itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and sometimes conjunctivitis, caused by exposure to pollens or other allergens.
Apnea
A transient cessation of respiration. It is most commonly associated with obstruction (obstructive sleep apnea).
Asthma
A disease of diffuse airway inflammation caused by a variety of triggering stimuli resulting in partially or completely reversible bronchoconstriction.
Atelectasis
A condition where the lung (or part of the lung) collapses / doesn’t fully inflate, resulting in underventilation.
Auscultation
Act of listening to sounds arising within organs (such as the lungs) as an aid to diagnosis and treatment.
Bradypnea
Abnormally slow breathing
Bronchiectasis
An irreversible widening of portions of the bronchi resulting from damage to the airway wall. The most common cause is severe or repeated respiratory infections, often in people who have an underlying problem with their lungs or immune system.
Bronchiolitis
A viral infection that affects the lower respiratory tract of infants and young children under 24 months of age.
Bronchitis
An inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, usually caused by a viral infection.
bronchodilator
A class of medications commonly used to expand or widen the bronchial tubes to open airways
Bronchospasm
A contraction of the bronchial tubes, resulting in a narrowed airway and difficulty breathing
C&S
Culture and sensitivity/susceptibility
CAP
Community Acquired Pneumonia
CF
Cystic Fibrosis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Persistent narrowing of the airways occurring with emphysema, chronic obstructive bronchitis, or both disorders.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CPAP
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CTA
Clear to auscultation
Cyanosis
A bluish or purplish discoloration (as of skin) due to deficient oxygenation of the blood.
Cystic Fibrosis
An inherited disease of the exocrine glands affecting primarily the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. In the lungs, there is obstruction, chronic bacterial infection, and a pronounced inflammatory response, damaging the airways and ultimately leading to bronchiectasis and pulmonary function decline.
DOE
Dyspnea on exertion
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing / shortness of breath.
Empyema
A collection of pus in the pleural cavity of the lungs
ENT
ears, nose, and throat
FEV1
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second
Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)
The amount of air you can exhale in one second after a complete inhalation. Measured by a test called spirometry.
Forced vital capacity (FVC)
The amount of air you can exhale after a complete inhalation. Measured by a test called spirometry.
FVC
Forced vital capacity
HAP
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia
Hemoptysis
Coughing up of blood from the respiratory tract.
Hypoxemia
Deficient oxygenation of the blood.
Hypoxia
Deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body.
incentive spirometer
A mechanical device that facilitates deep breathing to help keep lung alveoli open and promote secretion removal
LLL
Left lower lobe (of lung)
LRTI
Lower respiratory tract infection
LUL
Left upper lobe (of lung)
Lung consolidation
An abnormal x-ray finding indicative of a region of the lung where the alveoli are filled with an atypical substance (i.e. lung infiltrate – pus, etc.) instead of air. Pneumonia is the most common cause of lung consolidation.
NC
Nasal cannula
Orthopnea
Shortness of breath when lying flat
PEFR
Peak expiratory flow rate
PFT
Pulmonary function test
Pleural (friction) rub
One of the five adventitious sounds that may be heard during lung auscultation. A rough, scratching, or grating sound of the lining of your lungs (pleurae) rubbing against each other, heard during inspiration and expiration. May be a sign of pulmonary infection, lung or pleural conditions, others.
Pleural effusion
Fluid between the layers of the pleura, the thin membranes that line the outside of the lungs
pneumo-/pulmo-
Lung
Pneumonia
Lung infection affecting the lower airways (i.e., alveoli). May be caused by either viruses or bacteria.
Pneumothorax
A partial or complete collapse of the lung due to the presence of air between the two layers of pleura (thin, transparent, two-layered membrane that covers the lungs and lines the inside of the chest wall).
Pulse oximetry
A noninvasive test that measures the level of oxygen in the blood (aka oxygen saturation)
Rales (crackles)
One of the five adventitious sounds that may be heard during lung auscultation. Discontinuous, interrupted sounds described as rattling, bubbling, or clicking, heard during inspiration. A common sign of pneumonia and CHF.
Rhonchi
One of the five adventitious sounds that may be heard during lung auscultation. Continuous, low-pitched, snoring or gurgling sounds heard best during expiration. Occurs when the airways are partially obstructed by mucus/fluid buildup. A common sign of pneumonia, COPD, and CF.
RLL
Right lower lobe (of lung)
RML
Right middle lobe (of lung)
RUL
Right upper lobe (of lung)
SOB
Shortness of breath
Spirometry
A test that measures the amount of air inhaled and exhaled with each breath.
Stridor
One of the five adventitious sounds that may be heard during lung auscultation. Continuous, high-pitched, whistling/squeaking sound heard during inspiration, that occurs when the upper airways are partially blocked. It is most commonly associated with acute disorders, such as croup or foreign body aspiration.
Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid breathing
thrush
A yeast infection characterized by white patches in the mouth and/or throat caused by Candida Albicans
trache/o
Trachea
URTI
Upper respiratory tract infection
Wheezing
One of the five adventitious sounds that may be heard during lung auscultation. Continuous, high-pitched, whistling/hissing sound heard during inspiration or expiration, that occurs when the lower airways are partially blocked. A common sign/symptom of asthma. May also be a sign/symptom of pulmonary infection, COPD, and CF.
