Chapter 15: Respiratory Emergencies

Question 1

the buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that results from a primary illness

Answer 1

acidosis

Question 2

Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezes, rhonchi, and rales

Answer 2

adventitious breath sounds

Question 3

The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids

Answer 3

alkalosis

Question 4

A substance that causes an allergic reaction

Answer 4

allergen

Question 5

An extreme, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure

Answer 5

anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock)

Question 6

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

Answer 6

asthma

Question 7

Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs

Answer 7

atelectasis

Question 8

normal breath sounds made by air moving through the bronchi

Answer 8

bronchial breath sounds

Question 9

Inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus

Answer 9

bronchiolitis

Question 10

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

Answer 10

bronchitis

Question 11

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

Answer 11

carbon dioxide retention

Question 12

An odorless, highly poisonous gas that results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion

Answer 12

carbon monoxide

Question 13

Irritation of the major lung passageways from infectious disease or irritants such as smoke

Answer 13

chronic bronchitis

Question 14

A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction

Answer 14

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Question 15

A viral infection usually associated with swollen nasal mucous membranes and the production of fluid from the sinuses and nose

Answer 15

common cold

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

croup

Question 17

An infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx

Answer 17

diphtheria

Question 18

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Answer 18

dyspnea

Question 19

a blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage

Answer 19

embolus

Question 20

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

Answer 20

emphysema

Question 21

Occurs when new cases of a disease occur in a human population and substantially exceed what is “expected,” based on recent experience

Answer 21

epidemic

Question 22

A disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction

Answer 22

epiglottitis

Question 23

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

Answer 23

hay fever

Question 24

rapid or deep breathing that lowers the blood carbon dioxide level below normal

Answer 24

hyperventilation

Question 25

This syndrome occurs in the absence of other physical problems. The respirations of a person who is experiencing this may be as high as 40 shallow breaths/min or as low as only 20 very deep breaths/min

Answer 25

hyperventilation syndrome (panic attack)

Question 26

A condition in which the body's cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen

Answer 26

hypoxia

Question 27

backup system to control respirations when oxygen levels fall

Answer 27

hypoxic drive

Question 28

virus that has crossed the animal/human barrier and has infected humans, recently reaching a pandemic level with the H1N1 strain

Answer 28

influenza type A

Question 29

An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; can be highly contagious

Answer 29

meningococcal meningitis

Question 30

A miniature spray canister used to direct medications through the mouth and into the lungs

Answer 30

metered-does inhaler (MDI)

Question 31

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

Answer 31

methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Question 32

The process of delivering oxygen to the blood

Answer 32

oxygenation

Question 33

An outbreak that occurs on a global scale

Answer 33

pandemic

Question 34

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

Answer 34

pertussis (whooping cough)

Question 35

A collection of fluid between the lungs and chest wall that may compress the lung

Answer 35

pleural effusion

Question 36

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

Answer 36

pleuritic chest pain

Question 37

An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue

Answer 37

pneumonia

Question 38

inflammation of the lung

Answer 38

pneumonitis

Question 39

A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space

Answer 39

pneumothorax

Question 40

A buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of congestive heart failure

Answer 40

pulmonary edema

Question 41

A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow

Answer 41

pulmonary embolism

Question 42

Crackling, rattling breath sounds signaling fluid in the air spaces of the lungs

Answer 42

rales

Question 43

the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Answer 43

respiration

Question 44

A virus that causes an infection of the lungs and breathing passages; can lead to other serious illnesses that affect the lungs or heart, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. It is highly contagious and spread through droplets

Answer 44

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Question 45

Coarse breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the airways

Answer 45

rhonchi

Question 46

Potentially life-threatening viral infection that usually starts with flulike symptoms

Answer 46

severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

Question 47

A respiratory device 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

Answer 47

small-volume nebulizer

Question 48

A harsh, high-pitched, barking respiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction

Answer 48

stridor

Question 49

A disease that can lay dormant in a person's lungs for decades, then reactivate; many strains are resistant to many antibiotics. It is spread by cough

Answer 49

tuberculosis (TB)

Question 50

Normal breath sounds made by air moving in and out of the alveoli

Answer 50

vesicular breath sounds

Question 51

A high-pitched whistling breath sound, characteristically heard on expiration in patients with asthma or COPD

Answer 51

wheezing