Nursing Fundamentals: Oxygenation Vocabulary

Afterload

Resistance to left ventricular ejection

Angina pectoris

A transient imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Results in chest pain lasting up to 15 minutes.

Atelectasis

A collapse of the alveoli which prevents normal gas exchange. Fine crackles (rales) heard upon auscultation.

Bronchoscopy

Diagnostic procedure which allows examination of patient's airway for abnormalities using a rigid or flexible bronchoscope.

Cardiac Index

Cardiac output (CO) divided by body surface area (BSA). Normal range: 2.5 - 4.0 L/min/m^3

Cardiac Output

Stroke Volume x Heart Rate. Normal range: 4 - 6 L/min

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Helps the client to achieve and maintain an optimal level of health through:

- Controlled physical exercise

- Nutrition counseling

- Relaxation/Stress Management

- Prescribed medications and oxygen

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CPR

Purpose: to circulate blood to the brain to prevent permanent tissue damage

ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Circulation

Chest Physiotherapy

CPT

A group of therapies used to mobilize pulmonary secretions.

- Postural Drainage

- Chest Percussion

- Vibration

Chest Tube

A catheter inserted through the thorax to remove air and fluids from the pleural space, to prevent air or fluid from reentering the pleural space, or to reestablish normal intrapleural and intrapulmonic pressures.

Cyanosis

Blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by desaturated hemoglobin in capillaries. A late sign of hypoxia.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Requires the client to relax the intercostal and accessory respiratory muscles while taking deep inspirations.

Diffusion

The process for the exchange of respiratory gases in the alveoli and the capillaries of the body tissues.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath. Clinical sign of hypoxia.

Dysrhythmia

Deviation from normal sinus heart rhythm.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Reflects the electrical activity of the cardiac conduction system.

Expiration

A passive process that depends on the elastic recoil properties of the lungs.

Hematemesis

Vomiting of bright red blood, indicating upper GI tract bleeding. Commonly associated with peptic ulcer.

Hemoptysis

Bloody sputum

Hemothorax

Accumulation of blood and fluid in the pleural cavity between the parietal and visceral pleurae, usually as a result of trauma.

Humidification

The process of adding water to gas. Air or oxygen with high relative humidity keeps airways moist and helps loosen and mobilize pulmonary secretions. Necessary for clients receiving more than 4 L/min of oxygen.

Hyperventilation

A state of ventilation in excess of that required to eliminate carbon dioxide. Excess CO2 elimination can lead to loss of consciousness.

Hypoventilation

Occurs when alveolar ventilation is inadequate to meet the body's oxygen demand or to eliminate sufficient CO2.

Hypovolemia

Reduced circulating blood volume.

Hypoxia

Inadequate tissue oxygenation at the cellular level, resulting from a deficiency of oxygen delivery or oxygen utilization.

Incentive Spirometry

Encourages voluntary deep breathing by providing visual feedback to clients about inspiratory volume.

Inspiration

An active process, stimulated by chemical receptors in the aorta.

Myocardial Infarction

Results from sudden decreases in coronary blood flow or an increase in myocardial oxygen demand without adequate coronary oxygen perfusion.

AKA Heart attack

Myocardial Ischemia

Results when the supply of blood to the myocardium from the coronary arteries is insufficient to meet oxygen demands.

Nasal Cannula

A simple, comfortable device used for oxygen delivery. Flow rate up to 6 L/min. However, flow rates greater than 4 L/min are not often used because of the drying effect on the mucosa.

Nebulization

Adds moisture or medication to inspired air by mixing particles of varying sizes with the air. Used for administration of bronchodilators and mucolytic agents.

Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR)

Implies that the impulse originates at the SA node and follows the normal sequence through the cardiac conduction system.

Orthopnea

An abnormal condition in which the client uses multiple pillows when lying down or must sit with the arms elevated and leaning forward in order to breathe.

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)

The point of highest flow during maximal expiration. Normal is based on age and body weight. Reflects changes in airway sizes and is a predictor of airway resistance in asthma.

Pneumothorax

A collection of air in the pleural space. The loss of negative intrapleural pressure causes the lung to collapse.

Postural Drainage

A component of pulmonary hygiene. It improves secretion clearance and oxygenation.

Preload

End-diastolic volume.

Pursed-Lip Breathing

Involves deep inspiration and prolonged expiration through pursed lips to prevent alveolar collapse. "Breathing through a straw"

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each contraction.

Thoracentesis

Surgical perforation of the chest wall and pleural space to aspirate fluid or to remove a specimen for biopsy. Performed using aseptic technique and local anesthetic.

Ventilation

The process of moving gases into and out of the lungs.

Ventricular Fibrillation

A cardiac arrhythmia marked by rapid depolarizations of the ventricular myocardium. BP falls to 0, resulting in unconsciousness. Death may occur within 4 minutes.

Ventricular Tachycardia

Life-threatening dysrhythmia; decreased cardiac output and potential to deteriorate into ventricular fibrillation.

Wheezing

High-pitched, musical sound heard upon auscultation of lungs. Associated with asthma, acute bronchitis, or pneumonia.