American EMT Chapter 16 Vocab: Respiratory Emergencies

Pneumothroax

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity.

Adventitious breath sounds

Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezing, stridor, rhonchi, and crackles.

Pneumonia

An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue.

Croup

A viral 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.

Epiglottitis

A bacterial infection in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction.

Emphysema

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.

Pleural effusion

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

Diphtheria

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

Hypoxia

Deficient oxygen concentration in the tissues.

Bronchitis

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.

Chronic bronchitis

Irritation of the major lung passageways from long-term exposure to infectious disease or irritants such as smoke.

Continuous positive airway pressure

A method of ventilation used primarily in the treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory distress; can prevent the need for endotracheal intubation.

Pulmonary edema

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

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.

Bronchial breath sounds

Normal breath sounds made by air moving through the bronchi.

Rhonci

Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the upper airways.

Embolus

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

Asthma

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.

Hay fever

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.

Carbon dioxide retention

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.

Influenza type A

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

Wheezing

A high-pitched, whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration, and which suggests an obstruction or narrowing of the lower airways; occurs in bronchiolitis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible.

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.

Hypoxic drive

A condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases.

Bronchiolitis

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

Pertussis/Whooping cough

An airborne bacterial infection that affects mostly children younger than 6 years. Patients will be feverish and exhibit a hallmark sound on inspiration after a coughing attack; highly contagious through droplet infection.

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Severe shortness of breath, especially at night after several hours of reclining; the person is forced to sit up to breathe.

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. ___ is highly contagious and spread through droplets.

Stridor

A harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound, generally heard during inspiration, that is caused by partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway.

Rales

Crackling, rattling breath sounds that signal fluid in the air spaces of the lungs.

Atelectasis

Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs.

Metered-dose inhaler

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

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.

Orthopnea

Severe dyspnea experienced when lying down and relieved by sitting up.

Vesicular breath sounds

Normal air soundsfrom air moving through alveoli