Unit 11 Chronic Respiratory Terminology

Question 1

Adventitious

Answer 1

coming from an unusual place. ex: abnormal auscultatory sounds heard over the lung, such as rales, rhonchi, or abnormal resonance.

Question 2

Alpha-1, antitrypsin

Answer 2

a trypsin-inhibiting serum protein which inhibits the digestive action of elastase on the tissues of the lungs and whose deficiency is associated with the development of emphysema

Question 3

Alveoli

Answer 3

Small air sacs or cavities in the lung that give the tissue a honeycomb appearance and expand its surface area for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Question 4

Apnea

Answer 4

Temporary absence or cessation of breathing

Question 5

Asthma

Answer 5

a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli

Question 6

Atelectasis

Answer 6

collapse of the expanded lung

Question 7

Auscultation

Answer 7

listening to sounds arising within organs (as the lungs or heart) as an aid to diagnosis and treatment

Question 8

Bradypnea

Answer 8

slow breathing

Question 9

Bronchial

Answer 9

relating to or involving the tubes that carry air into the lungs

Question 10

Bronchitis

Answer 10

acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining of the bronchial tubes, caused by respiratory infection or exposure to bronchial irritants, as cigarette smoke.

Question 11

Bronchodilator

Answer 11

any drug or other agent that causes dilation of the bronchial tubes by relaxing bronchial muscle: used, esp in the form of aerosol sprays, for the relief of asthma

Question 12

Bronchoscopy

Answer 12

Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a cylindrical fiberoptic scope is inserted into the airways. This scope contains a viewing device that allows the visual examination of the lower airways

Question 13

Bronchovesicular

Answer 13

Combined bronchial and vesicular respiration

Question 14

C&S

Answer 14

Culture & Sensitivity
Sputum is material coughed up from the lungs and expectorated (spit out) through the mouth. A sputum culture is done to find and identify the microorganism causing an infection of the lower respiratory tract such as pneumonia (an infection of the lung).

Question 15

Chest Physiotherapy

Answer 15

defined as assisting the patient to move airway secretions from peripheral airways to more central airways for expectorating and/or suctioning.

Question 16

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

Answer 16

cyclic breathing marked by a gradual increase in the rapidity of respiration followed by a gradual decrease and total cessation for from 5 to 50 seconds and found especially in advanced kidney and heart disease, asthma, and increased intracranial pressure

Question 17

Cilia

Answer 17

Tiny, hair-like projections from a cell. In the respiratory tract, cilia beat constantly in order to move mucus and debris up and out of the respiratory tree, in order to protect the lung from infection or irritation by foreign bodies.

Question 18

Clubbing

Answer 18

an abnormal enlargement of the distal phalanges with a flattening of the curvature of the nail margin at the cuticle, where the nail meets the cuticle. It usually is associated with cyanotic heart disease or advanced chronic pulmonary disease but sometimes occurs with biliary cirrhosis, colitis, chronic dysentery, thyrotoxicosis, and sickle cell anemia. Clubbing occurs in all the digits but is most easily seen in the fingers.

Question 19

Compliance

Answer 19

a measure of the ease of expansion of the lungs and thorax, determined by pulmonary volume and elasticity. A high degree of compliance indicates a loss of elastic recoil of the lungs, as in old age or emphysema. Decreased compliance means that a greater change in pressure is needed for a given change in volume, as in atelectasis, edema, fibrosis, pneumonia, or absence of surfactant. Dyspnea on exertion is the main symptom of diminished lung compliance.

Question 20

Crackles (rales)

Answer 20

an abnormal crackling or rattling sound heard upon auscultation of the chest, caused by disease or congestion of the lungs.

Question 21

Cyanosis

Answer 21

Cyanosis is a physical sign causing bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. Cyanosis is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis is associated with cold temperatures, heart failure, lung diseases, and smothering

Question 22

Diaphragmatic breathing

Answer 22

a type of breathing exercise that patients are taught to promote more effective aeration of the lungs, consisting of moving the diaphragm downward during inhalation and upward with exhalation

Question 23

Diffusion

Answer 23

A procedure for maintaining oxygenation of the blood during apnea by intratracheal insufflation of oxygen at high flow rates.

Question 24

Dyspnea

Answer 24

difficult or labored respiration

Question 25

Emphysema

Answer 25

a chronic, irreversible disease of the lungs characterized by abnormal enlargement of air spaces in the lungs accompanied by destruction of the tissue lining the walls of the air spaces.

Question 26

FEV1 - Forced expiratory volume

Answer 26

The maximum amount of air expired in one second

Question 27

FiO2 - Fraction of inspired oxygen

Answer 27

is the fraction or percentage of oxygen in the space being measured

Question 28

Friction rub

Answer 28

friction (grating) sound heard by a stethoscope during inspiration and expiration in patients with pleuritis, due to the rubbing of the visceral and parietal pleurae

Question 29

Hemoptysis

Answer 29

expectoration of blood from some part of the respiratory tract

Question 30

Humidification

Answer 30

the process of increasing the relative humidity of the atmosphere around a patient through the use of aerosol generators or steam inhalers that exert an antitussive effect. Humidification acts by decreasing the viscosity of bronchial secretions, whereas added medications or sodium chloride may stimulate coughing by an irritant effect

Question 31

Hypercapnia

Answer 31

An increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood

Question 32

Hyperpnea

Answer 32

Abnormally deep and rapid breathing

Question 33

Hyperventilation

Answer 33

a condition characterized by abnormally prolonged and rapid breathing, resulting in decreased carbon dioxide levels and increased oxygen levels that produce faintness, tingling of the fingers and toes, and, if continued, alkalosis and loss of consciousness.

Question 34

Hypoventilation

Answer 34

Reduced or deficient ventilation of the lungs, resulting in reduced aeration of blood in the lungs and an increased level of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Question 35

Hypoxia

Answer 35

reduction of oxygen supply to a tissue below physiological levels despite adequate perfusion of the tissue by blood

Question 36

Incentive spirometer

Answer 36

A breathing device that provides feedback on performance to encourage deep breathing.

Question 37

Kussmaul respirations

Answer 37

Deep, rapid respiration characteristic of diabetic acidosis or other conditions causing acidosis.

Question 38

Nasal cannula

Answer 38

a device for delivering oxygen by way of two small tubes that are inserted into the nares

Question 39

Nebulizer

Answer 39

A device used to reduce liquid to an extremely fine cloud, especially for delivering medication to the deep part of the respiratory tract

Question 40

Orthopnea

Answer 40

difficult or painful breathing except in an erect sitting or standing position.

Question 41

Oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve

Answer 41

a graphic curve representing the normal variation in the amount of oxygen that combines with hemoglobin as a function of the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The curve is said to shift to the right when less than a normal amount of oxygen is taken up by the blood at a given Po2, and to shift to the left when more than a normal amount is taken up. Factors influencing the shape of the curve include changes in the blood pH, Pco2, and temperature; the presence of carbon monoxide; alterations in the constituents of the erythrocytes; and certain disease states.

Question 42

Paroxysmal noctural dyspnea (PND)

Answer 42

Acute dyspnea caused by the lung congestion and edema that results from partial heart failure and occurring suddenly at night, usually an hour or two after the individual has fallen asleep

Question 43

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)

Answer 43

The maximum flow at the outset of forced expiration, which is reduced in proportion to the severity of airway obstruction, as in asthma.

Question 44

Pneumothorax

Answer 44

a condition in which air or other gas is present in the pleural cavity and which occurs spontaneously as a result of disease or injury of lung tissue, rupture of air-filled pulmonary cysts, or puncture of the chest wall or is induced as a therapeutic measure to collapse the lung

Question 45

Postural drainage

Answer 45

therapeutic drainage in bronchiectasis and lung abscess by placing the patient head downward so that the trachea will be inclined below the affected area.

Question 46

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

Answer 46

Pulmonary function tests are a group of procedures that measure the function of the lungs, revealing problems in the way a patient breathes.

Question 47

Pulse oximetry (SpO2)

Answer 47

the saturation level of oxygen in hemoglobin; can be determined by noninvasive method of pulse oximetry

Question 48

Pursed lip breathing

Answer 48

respiration characterized by deep inspirations followed by prolonged expirations through pursed lips. It is done to increase expiratory airway pressure, improve oxygenation of the blood, and help prevent early airway closure

Question 49

Retractions

Answer 49

the area between the ribs and in the neck sinks in when a person with asthma attempts to inhale. Retractions are a sign someone is working hard to breathe

Question 50

Tachypnea

Answer 50

increased rate of respiration

Question 51

Thoracentesis

Answer 51

Also known as pleural fluid analysis, thoracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid or air from the chest through a needle or tube

Question 52

Tidal Volume

Answer 52

The volume of air inspired or expired in a single breath during regular breathing.

Question 53

Trendelenburg

Answer 53

the patient is supine on a surface inclined 45 degrees, head at the lower end and legs flexed over the upper end

Question 54

Ventilation: Perfusion (V/Q)

Answer 54

the ratio of pulmonary alveolar ventilation to pulmonary capillary perfusion, both quantities expressed in the same units

Question 55

Vesicular breath sounds

Answer 55

the gentle rustling sounds of normal breathing heard by auscultation over most of the lung fields; the inspiratory phase is usually longer than the expiratory.

Question 56

Vital Capacity

Answer 56

the volume of gas that can be expelled from the lungs from a position of full inspiration, with no limit to duration of inspiration; equal to inspiratory capacity plus expiratory reserve volume

Question 57

Wheezes

Answer 57

A whistling sound made by the flow of high-velocity air through narrowed airways. Wheezing is a symptom of several respiratory diseases including byssinosis and asthma

Question 58

Venturi Mask

Answer 58

a respiratory therapy face mask designed to allow inspired air to mix with oxygen, which is supplied through a jet at a fixed concentration