Diagnostic Assessment of Clients with Oxygenation Problems – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering respiratory assessment findings, breathing patterns, adventitious sounds, diagnostic tests, oxygen delivery devices, therapeutic procedures and chest drainage concepts from the lecture.

Subjective sensation of difficult or labored breathing.

Dyspnea

Protective reflex that clears the airway of secretions and irritants.

Cough

Expectoration of mucus or phlegm from the lower airways.

Sputum Production

Discomfort arising from pulmonary or pleural conditions; may worsen with deep breathing or coughing.

Chest Pain (Respiratory)

High-pitched musical sound caused by airflow through narrowed airways.

Wheezing

Coughing up blood or blood-streaked sputum.

Hemoptysis

Bulbous enlargement of distal phalanges due to chronic hypoxia.

Clubbing

Loss of diamond-shaped window when distal finger nails are opposed, indicating clubbing.

Schamroth Sign

Increased anteroposterior chest diameter, common in COPD.

Barrel Chest

Protrusion of the sternum (pigeon chest).

Pectus Carinatum

Depression of the sternum (funnel chest).

Pectus Excavatum

Exaggerated posterior thoracic curvature (hunchback).

Kyphosis

Lateral curvature of the spine that can affect chest expansion.

Scoliosis

Normal breathing rate (14-20 breaths/min) with regular rhythm.

Eupnea

Respiratory rate <10 breaths/min with regular depth and rhythm.

Bradypnea

Rapid, shallow breathing >24 breaths/min.

Tachypnea

Shallow, irregular breathing leading to elevated PaCO₂.

Hypoventilation

Increased depth of respirations with normal or slow rate.

Hyperpnea

Increased rate and depth of breathing causing decreased PaCO₂; Kussmaul respirations if due to DKA.

Hyperventilation

Complete cessation of breathing for variable periods.

Apnea

Cyclic pattern of increasing and decreasing depth with apnea periods, often in heart failure or CNS injury.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

Irregular clusters of breaths followed by apnea; seen with medullary brain injury.

Biot’s Respiration

Lengthened expiratory phase caused by airway narrowing (asthma, COPD).

Obstructive Breathing (Prolonged Expiration)

Discontinuous popping sounds from fluid or collapsed alveoli reopening.

Crackles

Harsh crackles in early inspiration originating in large bronchi; seen in COPD.

Coarse Crackles

Soft, high-pitched crackles in late inspiration from alveoli; suggest fibrosis or pneumonia.

Fine Crackles

Continuous sounds from airway wall oscillation due to narrowing.

Wheezes (General)

Low-pitched rumbling sounds during expiration caused by secretions or tumor.

Sonorous Wheezes (Rhonchi)

High-pitched musical sounds during inspiration or expiration from bronchospasm.

Sibilant Wheezes

Harsh, crackling sound from inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing; not cleared by cough.

Pleural Friction Rub

Series of tests measuring lung volumes, mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

Analysis of arterial pH, PaO₂, PaCO₂, HCO₃⁻ to assess respiratory and metabolic status.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

Noninvasive monitoring of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin; normal >95%.

Pulse Oximetry (SpO₂)

Throat, nose, or nasopharyngeal sample to detect pathogens before antibiotics.

Respiratory Culture

Laboratory analysis of expectorated material to identify organisms or cytology.

Sputum Study

Radiograph detecting lung densities, fluid, tumors; contraindicated in pregnancy.

Chest X-ray (CXR)

Cross-sectional imaging; contraindicated with iodine allergy, pregnancy, severe claustrophobia.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Detailed imaging using magnetic fields; avoid in patients with metal implants or severe claustrophobia.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Real-time X-ray imaging assisting invasive thoracic procedures.

Fluoroscopic Study

Radiographic study of pulmonary vasculature using contrast dye to detect vascular defects.

Pulmonary Angiography

Endoscopic visualization of larynx, trachea, bronchi for diagnosis, secretion removal, biopsy.

Bronchoscopy

Endoscopic examination of pleural cavity for biopsy and management of pleural disease.

Thoracoscopy

Needle aspiration of pleural fluid for relief or diagnosis; patient sits upright, leaning forward.

Thoracentesis

Excision of small tissue samples from respiratory tract for histologic analysis.

Respiratory Biopsy

Administration of O₂ at concentrations >21% to improve tissue oxygenation.

Oxygen Therapy

Delivers variable FiO₂ by mixing oxygen with room air (e.g., nasal cannula, simple mask).

Low-Flow Oxygen System

Delivers precise FiO₂ exceeding patient inspiratory demand (e.g., Venturi, non-rebreather).

High-Flow Oxygen System

Low-flow device delivering 24-44% O₂ at 1-6 L/min via nasal prongs.

Nasal Cannula

Low-flow mask delivering ~40-60% O₂ at 5-8 L/min.

Simple Face Mask

Mask with reservoir bag and no one-way valve providing 50-75% O₂ at 8-11 L/min.

Partial Rebreather Mask

Mask with reservoir and one-way valves delivering 80-95% O₂ at 10-15 L/min.

Non-Rebreather Mask

High-flow device with color-coded valves delivering 24-60% precise FiO₂.

Venturi Mask

O₂ delivery catheter inserted through trachea providing 60-100% FiO₂ at 0.5-4 L/min.

Transtracheal Catheter

Device encouraging sustained maximal inspiration to prevent atelectasis post-operatively.

Incentive Spirometry

Hand-held device that aerosolizes bronchodilator or mucolytic medications for inhalation.

Mini-Nebulizer

Combination of percussion, vibration, and postural drainage to mobilize secretions.

Chest Physiotherapy (CPT)

Surgical opening into trachea to bypass obstruction or facilitate long-term airway management.

Tracheostomy

Machine-assisted ventilation providing controlled oxygenation and ventilation in respiratory failure.

Mechanical Ventilation

Closed system removing air or fluid from pleural space to allow lung re-expansion.

Chest Drainage System

Chest drainage device using water column for suction regulation; gentle bubbling confirms suction.

Wet Suction System

Chest drainage device using mechanical dial to set suction; no bubbling in suction chamber.

Dry Suction System

First chamber of drainage system regulating negative pressure (wet or dry).

Suction Control Chamber

Middle chamber acting as one-way valve; intermittent bubbling indicates air evacuation.

Water Seal Chamber

Gravity-drainage chamber where pleural fluid accumulates; kept below chest level.

Collection Chamber

Rise and fall of water level in water seal chamber with respiration; absence may indicate obstruction or lung re-expansion.

Tidaling