Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Chapter 13
Respiratory Emergencies
51
Health Care
Not Applicable
05/15/2012

Additional Health Care Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
acidosis
Definition
the buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that results from a primary illness.
Term
adventitious breath sounds
Definition
abnormal breath sounds such as wheezes, rhonchi, and rales.
Term
alkalosis
Definition
the buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids.
Term
allergen
Definition
a substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Term
anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock)
Definition
an extreme, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure.
Term
asthma
Definition
an acute spasm of the smaller air passages, called bronchioles, associated with excessive mucus production and with swelling of the mucous lining of the respiratory passages.
Term
atelectasis
Definition
collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs.
Term
bronchial breath sounds
Definition
normal breath sounds made by air moving through the bronchi.
Term
bronchiolitis
Definition
inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.
Term
bronchitis
Definition
an acute or chronic inflammation of the lung that may damage lung tissue; usually associated with cough and production of sputum and, depending on its cause, sometimes fever.
Term
carbon dioxide retention
Definition
a condition characterized by a chronically high blood level of carbon dioxide in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high blood levels of carbon dioxide.
Term
carbon monoxide
Definition
an odorless, highly poisonous gas that results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion.
Term
chronic bronchitis
Definition
irritation of the major lung passageways from infectious disease or irritants such as smoke.
Term
chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD)
Definition
a slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction.
Term
common cold
Definition
a viral infection usually associated with swollen nasal mucous membranes and the production of fluid from the sinuses and nose.
Term
croup
Definition
a inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause a partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in children.
Term
diphtheria
Definition
an infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx.
Term
dyspnea
Definition
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Term
embolus
Definition
a blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage.
Term
emphysema
Definition
a disease of the lungs in which there is extreme dilation and eventual destruction of the pulmonary alveoli with poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide; it is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Term
epidemic
Definition
occurs when new cases of a disease occur in a human population and substantially exceed what is "expected", based on recent experience.
Term
epiglottitis
Definition
a disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction.
Term
hay fever
Definition
an allergic response usually to outdoor airborne allergens such as pollen or sometimes indoor allergens such as dust mites or pet dander; also called allergic rhinitis.
Term
hyperventilation
Definition
rapid or deep breathing that lowers the blood carbon dioxide level below normal
Term
hyperventilation syndrome (panic attack)
Definition
this syndrome occurs in the absence of other physical problems. the respirations of a person who is experiencing hyperventilation syndrome may be as high as 40 shallow breaths/ min or as low as only 20 very deep breaths/ min.
Term
hypoxia
Definition
a condition in which the body's cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen.
Term
hypoxic drive
Definition
back up system to control respirations when oxygen levels fall.
Term
influenza type A
Definition
virus that has crossed the animal/ human barrier and has infected humans, recently reaching a pandemic level with the H1N1 strain.
Term
meningococcal meningitis
Definition
an inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; can be highly contagious.
Term
metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
Definition
a miniature spray canister used to direct medications through the mouth and into the lungs.
Term
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Definition
a bacterium that can cause infections in different parts of the body; it is transmitted by different routes, including the respiratory route and is particularly dangerous because of its resistance to methicillin.
Term
oxygenation
Definition
the process of delivering oxygen to the blood.
Term
pandemic
Definition
an outbreak that occurs on a global scale.
Term
pertussis (whooping cough)
Definition
an airborne bacterial infection that affects mostly children younger than 6 years. patients will be feverish and exhibit a "whoop" sound on inspiration after a coughing attack; highly contagious through droplet infection.
Term
pleural effusion
Definition
a collection of fluid between the lung and chest wall that may compress the lung.
Term
pleuritic chest pain
Definition
sharp, stabbing pain in the chest that is worsened by a deep breath or other chest wall movement; often caused by inflammation or irritation of the pleura.
Term
pneumonia
Definition
an infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue.
Term
pneumonitis
Definition
inflammation of the lung.
Term
pneumothorax
Definition
a partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space.
Term
pulmonary edema
Definition
a build up of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of congestive heart failure.
Term
pulmonary embolism
Definition
a blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow.
Term
rales
Definition
crackling, rattling breath sounds signaling fluid in the air spaces of the lungs.
Term
respiration
Definition
the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Term
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Definition
a virus that causes an infection of the lungs and breathing passages; can lead to other serious illness that affect the lungs or heart, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. RSV is highly contagious and spread through droplets.
Term
rhonchi
Definition
coarse breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the airways.
Term
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
Definition
potentially life-threatening viral infection that ususally starts with flu-like symptoms.
Term
small-volume nebulizer
Definition
a respiratory device that holds liquid medicine that is turned into a fine mist. the patient inhales the medication into the airways and lungs as a treatment for conditions like asthma.
Term
stridor
Definition
a harsh, high-pitched, barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction.
Term
tuberculosis (TB)
Definition
a disease that can lay dormant in a person's lungs for decades, then reactivate; many strains are resistant to many antibiotics. TB is spread by cough.
Term
vesicular breath sounds
Definition
normal breath sounds made by air moving in and out of the alveoli.
Term
wheezing
Definition
a high-pitched, whistling breath sound, characteristically heard on expiration in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!