Carbon Dioxide and Respiratory Conditions Flashcards

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$)

The waste product of metabolism expelled from the body during exhalation.

Exhalation

The physiological process during which $CO_2$ is expelled from the body.

Blood Brain Barrier

A barrier that $CO_2$ is capable of crossing to enter the cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebrospinal fluid

The location where $CO_2$ combines with water to produce carbonic acid.

Carbonic acid

The substance formed in the cerebrospinal fluid when $CO_2$ and water combine.

Hydrogen ions

Particles formed when carbonic acid separates in the cerebrospinal fluid.

pH

The measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

Blood gases

Substances such as $O_2$, $CO_2$, and bicarbonate ($HCO_3$) that are controlled by the pH.

Bicarbonate ($HCO_3$)

One of the substances that must be in balance with the pH.

Normal pH range

A tight balance between $7.35$ and $7.45$.

$$7.35$$

The lower limit of the normal pH range of the body.

$$7.45$$

The upper limit of the normal pH range of the body.

Arterial level of $CO_2$

Its changes result in a corresponding change in the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Medulla

The anatomical structure near which chemical chemoreceptors are located.

Chemical chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors responsible for regulating respiratory function and monitoring arterial $CO_2$.

Respiratory function

A term referenced in the transcript as a synonym for breathing.

Increased arterial $CO_2$ level

Leads to an increase in the depth and rate of respirations (breathing faster).

Breathing faster

A result of increased depth and rate of respirations due to high $CO_2$.

Increased $O_2$ outcome

Leads to a reduction in the arterial $CO_2$ level.

Reduced depth and rate

The respiratory result of increased $O_2$ levels which cause breathing to slow down.

Breathing slows

A physiological response to increased $O_2$ levels.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; a condition where patients live with higher $CO_2$ and lower $O_2$ levels.

93-95\text{%}

An oxygen level that is not unusual for a patient with COPD.

Chronic increased $CO_2$ levels

A long-term condition found in COPD patients that the body becomes accustomed to.

COPD Compensation

The body increases respirations and depth to create balance between $O_2$ and $CO_2$.

pH Balance Goal

The body's constant attempt to return the pH back to the range of $7.35-7.45$.

Crackles

Lung sounds heard in a field with fluid in the small airway; formerly called Rales.

Rales

The older clinical term used for the lung sounds now referred to as crackles.

Small airway fluid

The cause of crackles heard during lung auscultation.

Inspiration

The phase of breathing during which crackles are heard.

Fine crackles

Lung sounds that resemble the sound of rolling hair between your fingers.

Rolling hair between fingers

The characteristic auditory description of fine crackles.

Coarse crackles

Lung sounds described as sounding like ripping velcro apart.

Ripping velcro

The characteristic auditory description of coarse crackles.

Wheezes

Lung sounds produced by a narrow airway or air sac affecting $O_2$ and $CO_2$ exchange.

Inspiratory wheezes

Wheezes occurring when a narrow air sac does not allow air to enter.

Narrow air sac

The physiological state of the alveoli that causes inspiratory or expiratory wheezes.

Alveoli

The clinical term for air sacs in the lungs.

Expiratory wheezes

Wheezes occurring when narrowing of the air sac prevents air from getting out.

Sibilant wheezes

Wheezes distinguished by high pitched and shrill sounds.

Rhronci

A lung sound differentiated from sibilant wheezes by pitch (spelled as in transcript).

High pitched and shrill

The specific auditory qualities of sibilant wheezes.

Asthma

One of several conditions that causes narrowed airways.

Congestive heart failure ($CHF$)

A cardiovascular condition that can cause narrowed airways.

Heart failure ($HF$)

A condition listed as a cause of airway narrowing.

Chronic bronchitis

A chronic lung