Respiratory Care Midterm Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, formulas, diagnostic ranges, and definitions for the Respiratory Care Midterm Exam across all lecture sources.

Ventilation-perfusion Mismatching

A condition where parts of the lung receive air but not blood, or blood but not air, reducing the efficiency of oxygen exchange.

Pulmonary Shunting

A condition where blood bypasses areas of the lungs where oxygen exchange occurs, such as in collapsed alveoli.

Diffusion Defects

A condition where lung tissue is damaged or thickened, making it harder for oxygen to move from the air into the blood.

Anatomic Shunt

Flow of blood from the right side of the heart to the left side without coming in contact with an alveolus for gas exchange, normally $3\text{--}5\%$.

Ideal Alveolar Gas Equation

Formula used to calculate alveolar oxygen tension: $PAO_2 = FiO_2 (Pb - H_2O) - (PaCO_2 / 0.8)$

P/F Ratio Less Than 200

A $PaO_2/FiO_2$ ratio less than $200$ indicates poor lung function and significant problems with oxygen transfer.

Normal A-a Gradient Range

$25\text{--}65\,\text{mmHg}$ on $100\%$ oxygen.

V/Q Mismatch A-a Gradient Range

$66\text{--}300\,\text{mmHg}$ on $100\%$ oxygen.

Shunting A-a Gradient Range

Greater than $300\,\text{mmHg}$ on $100\%$ oxygen.

Total Arterial Oxygen Content (CaO2) Formula

$$CaO_2 = (Hb \times 1.34 \times SaO_2) + (PaO_2 \times 0.003)$$

Impending Ventilatory Failure

A clinical state indicating that ventilatory failure is about to happen if not appropriately addressed.

Cigarette Smoking Pack Years Formula

$$\text{Pack Years} = (\text{number of packs smoked per day}) \times (\text{number of years person smoked})$$

CBABE

An acronym representing the major obstructive lung diseases: Cystic fibrosis, Bronchitis (chronic), Asthma, Bronchiectasis, and Emphysema.

Restrictive Lung Disorders

Pathological conditions that result in increased lung rigidity, which in turn decreases lung compliance.

Obstructive Lung Disorders

Pathological conditions where gas that enters the alveoli during inspiration is prevented from leaving the alveoli during expiration, causing air trapping.

FEV1/FVC Ratio < 70%

A ratio of $FEV_1/FVC < 70\%$ indicates the presence of an obstructive lung disease.

MIP Threshold for Ventilatory Support

A Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) of $-20\,\text{cmH}_2\text{O}$ or greater (less negative) indicates that the patient needs ventilatory support.

Compliance

The volume change per unit of pressure change across the lungs, reflecting ease of lung expansion.

Elastance

The natural ability of the lung structure to recoil or resist stretch when inflated; the reciprocal of compliance.

Airway Resistance (Raw)

The opposition to airflow through the respiratory tract caused by friction.

Splinting

A reduced chest expansion effort during breathing, typically adopted by patients to minimize pain caused by chest wall or pleural inflammation.

Pleuritic Chest Pain

Sharp, stabbing chest pain associated with respiratory movement or coughing, often arising from inflamed pleura.

Nonpleuritic Chest Pain

Dull, aching, or pressure-like chest pain that does not vary with respiratory movements.

Sensorium

The overall clarity of mind and level of consciousness, orientation, and mental status of a patient.

Systemic Arterial Catheter (A-line)

A catheter inserted into an artery used primarily for continuous blood pressure monitoring and frequent arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling.

Crepitus

A crackling sensation or sound produced under the skin due to the presence of air in the subcutaneous tissue.

Subcutaneous Emphysema

The presence of air or gas in the subcutaneous tissues beneath the skin, producing crepitus upon palpation.

Pulsus Paradoxus

An abnormally large decrease in systolic blood pressure and pulse wave amplitude during inspiration.

Stridor

A high-pitched sound generated during breathing, typically indicating upper airway obstruction heard during inspiration.