Pulmonology: Respiratory System (Pt. 2)

Question 1

Alveoli

Answer 1

Thin-walled air sacs at end of bronchioles; exchange of oxygen takes place between air in alveali and capillary blood supply surrounding them.

Question 2

Bronchi

Answer 2

The two main divisions of trachea that carry air into each lung; they subdivide into more narrow bronchi and eventually become the narrowest bronchioles.

Question 3

Bronchioles

Answer 3

The narrowest airway tubes; carry air from bronchi to alveoli.

Question 4

For what is the term coni/o (dust) generally used?

Answer 4

This combining form is used to refer to particles inhaled into lungs.

Question 5

Lobes

Answer 5

Each lung subdivided into lobes; right lung has three lobes, left lung has two.

Question 6

Mediastinum

Answer 6

The central region of thoracic cavity between the lungs; contains trachea, heart, aorta, esophagus, lymph nodes and thymus gland.

Question 7

For what is the combining form orth/o (straight) used for?

Answer 7

Primarily used to refer to boen or skeleton terms; in pulmonology, it is used to indicate sitting straight up; people who have difficulty breathing often feel they can breathe easier if they are sitting up rather than lying down.

Question 8

Oxygen

Answer 8

The gas required by every cell of the body for its metabolism; main function of lungs is to inhale oxygen.

Question 9

Pleura

Answer 9

Double layered membrane that forms protective sac around lungs; outer layer called parietal pleura and lines thoracic cavity; inner layer called visceral pleura and covers lung; space formed by pleura is called pleural cavity.

Question 10

For what is the suffix -pnea (breathing) used?

Answer 10

A prefix is placed before this suffix to indicate what is happening with person’s breathing pattern.

Question 11

Lung

Answer 11

Paired organs found in thoracic cavity; each consists of tubelike airways that carry air to and from alveoli, or air sacs; gas exchange between outside air and bloodstream takes place in alveoli.

Question 12

For what is the term -ptysis (spitting) used?

Answer 12

The main medical term built using this suffix means coughing up and spitting out of blood coming from lungs or bronchi.

Question 13

For what is the suffix -thorax (chest) used?

Answer 13

This suffix is used to indicate presence of substance in chest.

Question 14

Emphysema

Answer 14

Pulmonary condition resulting from destruction of alveolar walls leading to overinflated alveoli; can occur as result of long-term heavy smoking or exposure to air pollution; characterized by dyspnea or exertion.

Question 15

Endotracheal Intubation (ET)

Answer 15

Placing tube through mouth and into trachea to maintain open airway and facilitate artificial ventilation.

Question 16

Hyperventilation

Answer 16

To breath too quickly (tachypnea) and too deeply (hyperpnea)

Question 17

Hypoventilation

Answer 17

To breath too slowly (bradypnea) and too shallowly (hypopnea).

Question 18

Hypoxia

Answer 18

Having insufficient amount of oxygen in body.

Question 19

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)

Answer 19

Condition seen in premature infants whose lungs have not had time to fully develop; lungs are not able to expand fully, causing extreme difficulty in breathing and can result in death; also known as hyaline membrane disease (HMD).

Question 20

Influenza (flu)

Answer 20

Acute viral infection of airways; usually highly contagious; symptoms include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Body Aches
• Dry Cough

Question 21

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB)

Answer 21

Method of artificial ventilation using mask connected to machine that produces pressure to assist air to fill lungs.

Question 22

Phlegm

Answer 22

Thick mucus secreted by mucous membranes lining respiratory tract; phlegm is coughed thorugh mouth is called sputum.

Question 23

Pleural Effusion

Answer 23

Abnormal presence of fluid or gas in pleural cavity; presence of this fluid can be detected by tapping chest (percussion) or listening with stethoscope (auscultation).

Question 24

Pleurisy

Answer 24

Inflammation of pleura

Question 25

Pnuemonia

Answer 25

Acute inflammatory condition of lung, which can be caused by bacterial and viral infections, diseases, and chemicals; severe dyspnea and death can result when alveoli fill with fluid (pulmonary infiltrate).

Question 26

Pneumothorax

Answer 26

Collection of air or gas in pleural cavity, which can result in collapse of lung.

Question 27

Postural Drainage

Answer 27

Drainage of secretions from bronchi by placing patient in position that uses gravity to promote drainage; used for treatment of cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis.

Question 28

Pulmonary Angiography

Answer 28

Injecting dye into blood vessel for purpose of taking x-ray of arteries and veins of lungs; test for pulmonary emoblism.

Question 29

Pulmonary Edema

Answer 29

Condition in which lung tissue retains excessive amount of fluid; results in dyspnea.

Question 30

Pulmonary Emoblism

Answer 30

Blood clot or air bubble in pulmonary artery or on of its branches; results in infarct of lung tissue.

Question 31

Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

Answer 31

Diagnostic procedure to assess respiratory function by using spirometer to measure air flow and lung volumes; often performed by respiratory therapists.

Question 32

Purulent

Answer 32

Containing pus, as in purulent sputum.

Question 33

Rales

Answer 33

Abnoraml “crackling” sound made during inhalation; caused by mucus or fluid in airways.

Question 34

Respiratory Rate (RR)

Answer 34

Number of breaths per minute; one of the vital signs (respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature, blood pressure).

Question 35

Rhonchi

Answer 35

Whistling sound that can be heard during either inhalation or exhalation; caused by narrowing of bronchi as in asthma or infection; also called wheezing.

Question 36

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Answer 36

Severe and highly contagious viral lung infection with high fever; threatened worldwide epidemic in 2003.

Question 37

Sputum

Answer 37

Mucus or phlegm coughed up and spit out from respiratory tract.

Question 38

Sputum Culture and Sensivity (C&S)

Answer 38

Testing sputum by placing it on culture medium and observing any bacterial growth; specimen tested to determine selection of effective antiobiotic.

Question 39

Sputum Cytology

Answer 39

Examination of sputum for malignant cells

Question 40

Suddent Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Answer 40

Unexpected and unexplained death of apparently well infant; sleep apnea, airway spasms, and failure of nerves to stimulate diaphragm have been studied as possible cuses.

Question 41

Sweat Test

Answer 41

Diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis; children with this disease lose excessive amount of salt in their sweat.

Question 42

Tuberculin Skin Tests (TB Test)

Answer 42

Diagnostic test for exposure to tuberculosis bacteria by applying chemical agent (Tine or Mantoux tests) under surface of skin and evaluating site for reaction.

Question 43

Tuberculosis (TB)

Answer 43

Infectious disease caused by tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis; most commonly affects respiratory system and causes inflammation and calcification of lungs.

Question 44

Ventilation-perfusion Scan

Answer 44

Nuclear medicine image particularly useful in diagnosing pulmonary emboli; involves inhalation of radioactive tagged air to evaluate air movement (ventilation) and injection of radioactive tagged dye in blood stream to evaluate blood flow (perfusion) to lungs.

Question 45

Ventilator

Answer 45

Mechanical device to assist patient to breathe; also called respirator.