Module 2 (15-18) Flashcards
1
Q
acidosis
A
the buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that results from a primary illness
2
Q
adventitious breath sounds
A
abnormal breath sounds such as wheezing, stridor, rhonchi, and crackles
3
Q
alkalosis
A
the buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids
4
Q
allergen
A
a substance that causes an allergic reaction
5
Q
anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock)
A
an extreme life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure.
6
Q
asthma
A
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.
7
Q
atelectasis
A
collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs
8
Q
bronchial breath sounds
A
normal breath sounds made by air moving through the bronchi
9
Q
bronchiolitis
A
inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus
10
Q
bronchitis
A
an acute of chronic inflammation of the lung that may damage lung tissue; usually associated with cough and production of sputum and, depending on the cause, sometimes fever
11
Q
carbon dioxide retention
A
a condition characterized by a chronically high level of carbon dioxide in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high blood levels of carbon dioxide
12
Q
chronic bronchitis
A
irritation of the major lung passageways from infectious disease or irritants such as smoke
13
Q
COPD
A
a slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction
14
Q
CPAP
A
a method of ventilation used primarily in the treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory distress; can prevent the need to endotracheal intubation
15
Q
crackles
A
crackling, rattling breath sounds signaling fluid in the air spaces of the lungs; formally called rales
16
Q
croup
A
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.
17
Q
diphtheria
A
an infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx
18
Q
dyspnea
A
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
19
Q
embolus
A
a blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage
20
Q
emphysema
A
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 COPD
21
Q
epiglottitis
A
a disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway infection
22
Q
hay fever
A
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
23
Q
hyperventilation
A
rapid or deep breathing that lowers the blood carbon dioxide level below normal
24
Q
hyperventilation syndrome (panic attack)
A
this syndrome occurs in the absence of other physical problems. the respiration of a person who is experiencing hyperventilation syndrome may be as high as 40 shallow breaths/min or as low as 20 very deep breaths/min
25
hypoxia
a condition in which the body's cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen
26
hypoxic drive
a condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung disease
27
influenza type A
a virus that has crossed the animal/human barrier and has infected humans, recently reaching a pandemic level with the H1N1 strain
28
MDI
a miniature spray canister used to direct medications through the mouth and into the lungs
29
orthopnea
severe dyspnea experienced when lying down and relieved into the lungs
30
oxygenation
the process of delivering oxygen to the blood
31
pandemic
an outbreak that occurs on a global scale
32
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
severe shortness of breath, especially at night after several hours of reclining; the person is forced to sit up to breathe
33
pertussis (whooping cough)
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
34
pleural effusion
a collection of fluid between the lung and chest wall that may compress the lung
35
pleuritic chest pain
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
36
pneumonia
an infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue
37
pneumothorax
a partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space
38
pulmonary edema
a buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of congestive heart failure
39
pulmonary embolism
a blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow
40
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
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. RSV is highly contagious and spread through droplets
41
rhonchi
course breath sounds heard in patients which chronic mucus in the airways
42
small-volume nebulizer
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 such as asthma
43
stridor
a harsh, high-pitched, barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction
44
TB
a disease that can lay dormant in a person's lungs for decades, then reactivate; many strains are resistant to antibiotics. TB is spread by cough
45
vesicular breath sounds
normal breath sounds made by air moving in and out of the alveoli
46
wheezing
a high-pitched, whistling breath sound, characteristically heard on expiration in patients with asthma or COPD
47
acute coronary syndrome
a group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction
48
acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
a heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it. Acute in this context means 'new' or 'happening right now'
49
angina pectoris
transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle; also called angina
50
anterior
the front surface of the body; the side facing you in the standard anatomic position
51
aorta
the main artery, which receives blood from the left ventricle and delivers it to all the other body arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body
52
aortic aneurysm
a weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture
53
aortic valve
the one-way valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta and keeps blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after the left ventricle ejects its blood into the aorta; one of the four heart valves
54
artifact
a tracing on an ECG that is the result of interference, such as patient movement, rather than the hearts electrical activity
55
asystole
the complete absence of all heart electrical activity
56
atherosclerosis
a disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, eventually leading to partial or complete blockage of blood flow
57
atrium
one of the two upper chambers of the heart. the right atrium receives blood from the vena cava and delivers it to the right ventricle. the left atrium receives blood from pulmonary veins and delivers it to the left ventricle.
58
automaticity
the ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without stimulation from the nervous system
59
automatic nervous system
the part of the nervous system that controls the involuntary activities of the body such as the heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion of food.
60
bradycardia
a slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min
61
cardiac arrest
when the heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow; pulses are not palpable in cardiac arrest, even if muscular and electrical activity continues in the heart.
62
cardiac output
a measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate
63
cardiogenic shock
a state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart. it can be a severe complication of a large acute myocardial infarction, as well as other conditions
64
CHF
a disorder in which the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually as a result of damage to the heart muscle and usually resulting in a backup of fluid into the lungs
65
coronary arteries
the blood vessels that carry blood and nutrients to the heart muscle
66
defibrillate
to shock a fibrillating (chaotically beating) heart with specialized electric current in an attempt to restore a normal rhythmic heartbeat
67
dependent edema
swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground, caused by collection of fluid in the tissues; a possible sign of CHF
68
dilation
widening of a tubular structure such as a coronary artery
69
dissecting aneurysm
a condition in which the inner layers of an artery, such as the aorta, become separated, allowing blood (at high pressure) to flow between the layers
70
dysrhythmia
an irregular or abnormal heart rhythm
71
hypertensive emergency
an emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke or aneurysm
72
infarction
death of a body tissue, usually caused by interruption of its blood supply
73
inferior
the part of the body or any body part nearer to the feet
74
ischemia
a lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible because permanent injury has not yet occurred.
75
lumen
the inside diameter of an artery or other hollow structure
76
myocardium
the heart muscle
77
occlusion
a blockage, usually of a tubular structure such as a blood vessel
78
parasympathetic nervous system
the part of the automatic nervous system that controls vegetative functions such as digestion of food and relaxation
79
perfusion
the flow of blood through body tissues and vessels
80
posterior
the back surface of the body; the side away from you in the standard anatomic position
81
return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)
the return of a pulse and effective blood flow to the body in a patient who previously was in cardiac arrest
82
stroke volume
the volume of blood ejected with each ventricular contraction
83
superior
the part of the body or any body part nearer the head
84
sympathetic nervous system
the part of the automatic nervous system that controls active functions such as responding to fear
85
syncope
a fainting spell
86
tachycardia
a rapid heart rate, more than 100 beats/min
87
thromboembolism
a blood clot that has formed within a blood vessel and is floating within the bloodstream
88
ventricle
one of two lower chambers of the heart. the left ventricle receives blood from the left atrium and delivers blood to the aorta. the right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it into the pulmonary artery.
89
ventricular fibrillation
disorganized, ineffective quivering of the ventricles, resulting in no blood flow and a state of cardiac arrest
90
ventricular tachycardia
a rapid heart rhythm in which the electrical impulse begins in the ventricle (instead of the atrium), which may result in inadequate blood flow and eventually deteriorated into cardiac arrest
91
altered mental status
any deviation from alert and oriented to person, place, time, and event, or any deviation from a patient's normal baseline mental status
92
aneurysm
a swelling or enlargement of the wall of a blood vessel that results from weakening of the vessel wall
93
aphasia
the inability to understand and/or produce speach
94
atherosclerosis
a disorder in which calcium and cholesterol build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, potentially leading to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow
95
aura
a sensation experienced before a seizure; serves as a warning sign that a seizure is about the occur
96
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
an interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also called a stroke
97
coma
a state of profound unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be roused
98
delirium
a temporary change in mental status characterized by disorganized thoughts, inattention, memory loss, disorientation, striking changes in personality and affect, halluciantions, delusions, or a decreased level of consciousness
99
dysrhythmia
slurred speech
100
epilepsy
a disorder in which abnormal electrical discharges occur in the brain, causing seizure and possible loss of consciousness
101
febrile seizures
seizures that result from sudden high fevers, most often seen in children
102
generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure
a seizure characterized by severe twitching of all of the body's muscles that may last several minutes or more; formerly known as a grand mal seizure
103
hemiparesis
weakness on one side of the body
104
hemorrhagic stroke
a type of stroke that occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain
105
hypoglycemia
an abnormally low blood glucose level
106
ischemic stroke
a type of stroke that occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage inside a blood vessel
107
partial (focal) seizure
a seizure affecting a limited portion of the brain
108
postictal state
the period following a seizure that lasts 5-30 minutes; characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status.
109
seizure
a neurologic episode caused by a surge of electrical activity in the brain; can be a convulsion characterized by generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity, and can be associated with loss of consciousness
110
status epilepticus
a condition in which seizures recur every few minutes or last longer than 30 minutes
111
stroke
an interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
112
thrombosis
a blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system. When the clot occurs in a cerebral artery, it may result in the interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke
113
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
a disorder of the brain in which brain cells temporarily stop functioning because of insufficient oxygen, causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours of onset
114
acute abdomen
a condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment is necessary
115
cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbadder
116
cystitis
inflammation of the bladder
117
diverticulitis
inflammation in small pockets of weak areas of in the muscle walls
118
emesis
vomiting
119
GERD
a condition in which the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to move up into the esophagus, usually resulting in a burning sensation within the chest; also called acid reflux
120
guarding
involuntary muscle contractions (spasms) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen
121
hematemesis
vomiting blood
122
hernia
the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening
123
ileus
paralysis of the bowel, arising from any one of several causes; stops contractions that move material through the intestine
124
kidney stones
solid crystalline masses formed in the kidney, resulting from an excess of insoluble salts or uric acid crystallizing in the urine; may become trapped anywhere along the urinary tract
125
melena
black tarry stool containing digested blood
126
pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas
127
peritoneum
the membrane lining the abdominal cavity (parietal peritoneum) and covering the abdominal organs (visceral perioneum)
128
peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneum
129
referred pain
pain felt in an area of the body other than the area where the cause of pain is located
130
strangulation
complete obstruction of blood circulation in a given organ as a result of compression or entrapment; an emergency situation causing death of tissue
131
uremia
severe kidney failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood. Eventually brain functions will be impaired
