Respiratory Definitions Flashcards
Apnea
A temporary cessation of breathing
Bronchophony
Abnormal increase in clarity of transmitted voice sounds heard when auscultating the lungs
Bronchoscopy
Direct examination of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi using an endoscope
Compliance
Measure of the force required to expand or inflate the lungs
Crackles
Soft, high-pitched, discontinuous popping sounds during inspiration caused by delayed reopening of the airways
Dyspnea
Subjective experience that describes difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Egophony
Abnormal changes in tone of voice that is heard when auscultating the lungs
Fremitus
Vibrations of speech felt as tremors of the chest wall felt during palpation
Hemoptysis
Expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract
Hypoxemia
Decrease in arterial oxygen tension in the blood
Hypoxia
Decrease in oxygen supply to the tissues and cells
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Temporary absence of breathing during sleep secondary to transient upper airway obstruction
Orthopnea
Inability to breathe easily except in an upright position
Oxygen Saturation
Percentage of hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen
Physiologic Dead Space
Portion of the tracheobronchial tree that does not participate in gas exchange
Pulmonary Diffusion
Exchange of gas molecules (oxygen and carbon dioxide) from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
Pulmonary Perfusion
Blood flow through the pulmonary vasculature
Respiration
Gas exchange between atmospheric air and the blood and between the blood and cells of the body
Rhonchi
Low-pitched wheezing or snoring sound associated with partial airway obstruction, heard on chest auscultation
Stridor
Harsh, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration, usually without the need of a stethoscope, secondary to upper airway obstruction
Tidal Volume
Volume of air inspired and expired with each breath during normal breathing
Ventilation
Movement of air in and out of the airways
Wheezes
Continuous musical sounds associated with airway narrowing or partial obstruction
Whispered Pectoriloquy
Whispered sounds heard loudly and clearly upon thoracic auscultation
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation
Mode of mechanical ventilation that allows unrestricted, spontaneous breaths throughout the ventilatory cycle
On inspiration the patient receives a preset level of continuous positive airway pressure, and the pressure is periodically released to aid in expiration
Assist-Control (A/C) Ventilation
Mode of mechanical ventilation in which the patient’s breathing pattern may trigger the ventilator to deliver a preset tidal volume
In the absence of spontaneous breathing, the machine delivers a controlled breath at a preset minimum rate and tidal volume
Chest Drainage System
The use of a chest tube and closed drainage system to re-expand the lung and remove excess air, fluid, and blood
Chest Percussion
Manually cupping hands over the chest wall and using vibration to mobilize secretions by mechanically dislodging viscous or adherent secretions in the lungs
Chest Physiotherapy (CPT)
Therapy used to remove bronchial secretions, improve ventilation, and increase the efficiency of the respiratory muscles
Types include postural drainage, chest percussion, and vibration
Continuous Mandatory Ventilation (CMV)
Mode of mechanical ventilation in which the ventilator completely controls the patient’s ventilation according to preset tidal volumes and respiratory rate
Because of problems with synchrony, it is rarely used except in paralyzed or anesthetized patients
Continous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Positive pressure applied throughout the respiratory cycle to a spontaneously breathing patient to promote alveolar and airway stability
May be administered with endotracheal or tracheostomy tube or by mask
Endotracheal Intubation
Insertion of a breathing tube through the nose or mouth into the trachea
Fraction of Inspired Oxygen (FiO2)
Concentration of oxygen delivered (1.0 = 100% oxygen)
Incentive Spirometry
Method of deep breathing that provides visual feedback to help the patient inhale deeply and slowly to achieve maximum lung inflation
Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV)
Mode of mechanical ventilation that provides a combination of mechanically assisted breaths and spontaneous breaths
Mechanical Ventilator
A positive or negative pressure breathing device that supports ventilation and oxygenation
Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
Positive pressure maintained by the ventilator at the end of exhalation (instead of a normal zero pressure) to increase functional residual capacity and open collapsed alveoli
Improves oxygenation with lower fraction of inspired oxygen
Postural Drainage
Positioning the patient to allow drainage from all lobes of the lungs and airways
Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV)
Mode of mechanical ventilation in which preset positive pressure is delivered with spontaneous breaths to decrease work of breathing
Proportional Assist Ventilation (PAV)
Mode of mechanical ventilation that provides partial ventilatory support in proportion to the patient’s inspiratory effects
Decreases the work of breathing
Respiratory Weaning
Process of gradual, systematic withdrawal or removal of ventilator, breathing tube, and oxygen
Alaryngeal Communication
Alternative modes of speaking that do not involve the normal larynx
Used by patients whose larynx has been surgically removed
Aphonia
Impaired ability to use one’s voice due to disease or injury to the larynx
Nuchal Rigidity
Stiffness of the neck or inability to bend the neck
Rhinitis Medicamentosa
Rebound nasal congestion commonly associated with overuse of OTC nasal decongestants
Rhinorrhea
Drainage of a large amount of fluid from the nose
Rhinosinusitis
Inflammation of the nares and paranasal sinuses, including frontal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses
Xerostomia
Dryness of the mouth
Acute Lung Injury
Umbrella term for hypoxemic respiratory failure
Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a severe form of acute lung injury
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Nonspecific pulmonary response to a variety of pulmonary and nonpulmonary insults to the lung
Characterized by interstitial infiltrates, alveolar hemorrhage, atelectasis, decreased compliance, and refractory hypoxemia
Asbestosis
Diffuse lung fibrosis resulting from exposure to asbestos fibers
Atelectasis
Collapse or airless condition of the alveoli caused by hypoventilation, obstruction to the airways, or compression
Central Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to hemoglobin carrying reduced amounts of oxygen
Consolidation
Lung tissue that has become more solid in nature due to collapse of alveoli or infectious process (pneumonia)
Cor Pulmonale
Enlargement of the right ventricle from hypertrophy or dilation or as a secondary response to disorders that affect the lungs
Empyema
Accumulation of purulent material in the pleural space
Fine-Needle Aspiration
Insertion of a needle through the chest wall to obtain cells of a mass or tumor
Usually performed under fluoroscopy or chest computed tomography guidance
Hemoptysis
The coughing up of blood from the lower respiratory tract
Hemothorax
Partial or complete collapse of the lung due to blood accumulating in the pleural space
May occur after surgery or trauma
Induration
An abnormally hard lesion or reaction, as in a positive tuberculin skin test
Open Lung Biopsy
Biopsy of lung tissue performed through a limited thoracotomy incision
Pleural Effusion
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space
Pleural Friction Rub
Localized grating or creaking sound caused by the rubbing together of inflamed parietal and visceral pleurae
Pneumothorax
Partial or complete collapse of the lung due to positive pressure in the pleural space
Pulmonary Edema
Increase in the amount of extravascular fluid in the lung
Pulmonary Embolism
Obstruction of the pulmonary vasculature with an embolus
Embolus may be due to blood clot, air bubbles, or fat droplets
Restrictive Lung Disease
Disease of the lung that causes a decrease in lung volumes
Tension Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax characterized by increasing positive pressure in the pleural space with each breath
This is an emergency situation and the positive pressure needs to be decompressed or released immediately
Air Trapping
Incomplete emptying of alveoli during expiration due to loss of lung tissue elasticity (emphysema), bronchospasm (asthma), or airway obstruction
Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
Genetic disorder resulting from deficiency of alpha1-antitrypsin, a protective agent for the lung
Increases a patient’s risk for developing panacinar emphysema even in the absence of smoking
Asthma
A disease with multiple precipitating mechanisms resulting in a common clinical outcome of reversible airflow obstruction
Bronchiectasis
Chronic, irreversible dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles that results from destruction of muscles and elastic connective tissue
Dilated airways become saccular and are a medium for chronic infection
Chronic Bronchitis
A disease of the airways defined as the presence of a cough and sputum production for at least a combined total of 3 months in each of 2 consecutive years
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible
Sometimes referred to as chronic airway obstruction or chronic obstructive lung disease
Desaturate
A precipitous drop in the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen
Emphysema
A disease of the airways characterized by destruction of the walls of overdistended alveoli
Metered-Dose Inhaler
Patient-activated medication canister that provides aerosolized medication that the patient inhales into the lungs
Polycythemia
Increase in the red blood cell concentration in the blood
In COPD, the body attempts to improve oxygen carrying capacity by producing increasing amounts of RBCs
Spirometry
Pulmonary function tests that measure specific lung volumes (FEV1, FVC) and rates (FEF 25-75%)
May be measured before and after bronchodilator administration
