15. Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards
(46 cards)
The buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that results from a primary illness.
acidosis
Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezing, stridor, rhonchi, and crackles.
adventitious breath sounds
The buildup of excess use (lack of acids) in the body fluids.
alkalosis
A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
allergen
An extreme, life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure.
anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock)
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.
asthma
Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs.
atelectasis
Normal breath sounds made by air moving through the bronchi.
bronchial breath sounds
Inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.
bronchiolitis
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.
bronchitis
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.
carbon dioxide retention
A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A method of ventilation used primarily in the treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory distress; can prevent the need for endotracheal intubation.
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Crackling, rattling breath sounds signaling fluid in the air spaces of the lungs; formerly called rales.
crackles
An 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.
croup
An infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx.
diphtheria
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
dyspnea
A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage.
embolus
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.
emphysema
A disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction.
epiglottitus
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
hay fever
Rapid or deep breathing that lowers the blood carbon dioxide level below normal.
hyperventilation
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.
hyperventilation syndrome (panic attack)
A condition in which the body’s cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen.
hypoxia
