Respiratory Definitions Flashcards
Breath sounds not normally heard in the lungs
Adventitious Breath Sounds
Harsh, high pitched sound heard on inspiration related to narrowing of the upper airway
Stridor
Fine to course crackling sound as air moves through wet secretions, heard on inspiration.
Crackles/Rales
Coarse sounds that are low-pitched, heard during inspiration or expiration. Coughing may clear
the sound
Rhonchi
High pitched sounds, musical or squeaking heard on inspiration or expiration originating in
small air passages that are narrowed.
Wheezes
Grating sound caused by an inflamed pleura rubbing against the chest wall, heard
more often on inspiration and not changed by coughing.
Pleural Friction Rub
Absence of Breathing
Apnea
Respirations that are regular in rhythm but slower than normal in rate. Abnormally slow rate of
breathing—less than 12 respirations per minute.
Bradypnea
result from the free movement of air into and out of all parts of the bronchial tree.
Listen for duration, pitch, and intensity of the sounds.
Breath Sounds
Normal breath sounds which are high pitched and harsh heard over the trachea with
expiration longer than inspiration
Bronchial Sounds
Normal breath sounds which are moderate blowing sounds heard over the
mainstem bronchus with inspiration equal to expiration.
Bronchovesicular Sounds:
Normal breath sounds which are soft, low-pitched sounds heard best over the base of
the lungs during inspiration which is longer than expiration.
Vesicular Sounds
Chronic condition of persistent obstruction of bronchial air
flow. Chronic bronchitis and chronic pulmonary emphysema are the diseases mainly associated with this condition.
COPD
Labored or difficult breathing.
Dyspnea
Normal respirations. Rate 12-20 respirations per minute.
Eupnea
Vibration felt on palpation.
Fremitus
The sound produced when percussion is performed over lung tissue affected by emphysema
Hyperresonance
A decrease in the rate or depth of air movement into the lungs which often causes hypoxia.
Hypoventilation
A condition in which an inadequate amount of oxygen is available to the cells. It is a problem with
ventilation, respiration, or perfusion.
Hypoxia
Consists of the trachea, right and left mainstem bronchi, segmental bronchi, and terminal
bronchioles. Main function is the conduction of air, mucociliary clearance, and production of pulmonary surfactant.
Lower Airway
Ability to breathe easily only in the upright position.
Orthopnea
The process wherein oxygenated capillary blood passes through tissue.
Perfusion
A non-invasive technique for measuring oxygen saturation of arterial blood. A pulse oximetry of
95%-100% is norma
Pulse Oximetry
A breathing exercise used for patients who experience dyspnea and feelings of panic.
Patient inhales through the nose and exhales slowly and evenly against pursed lips (lips are positioned as if
blowing through a straw or whistling).
Pursed-Lip Breathing
The sound produced over normal air-filled lungs when percussion is performed.
Resonance
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the body cells.
Respirations
Very rapid respirations.
Tachypnea
Consist of the nose, pharynx, larynx, and epiglottis. Main function is to warm, filter, and humidify
inspired air
Upper Airway
The movement of air into and out of the lungs.
Ventilation
