Pulmonology

what does the upper respiratory system consist of

nasal cavity, nostrils, pharynx, oral cavity, larynx

what does the lower respiratory system consist of

trachea, lungs, left primary bronchus, bronchi, alveoli, diaphragm, parietal pleura.

URI

upper respiratory infection = a bacterial or viral infection (head cold)

Abnormal breath sounds (BS)

normal breath sounds = soft wind through a tunnel

pleaural friction rub = creaking or grating sounds

crackles/rales in the lungs

= irregular crackling or bubbling which indicates fluid or infection in the alveoli

Rhonchi sounds

humming, whistling, or snoring due to mucus or foreign body obstruction

Stridor breath sounds

high pitched crowing due to edema or obstruction

expectoration

coughing up sputum

hemoptysis

coughing up sputum that contains blood

ptysis

= condition of coughing up

legionnaires’ disease

severe sometimes fatal bacterial infection, starting with flu like symptoms and progresses to pneumonia and liver and kidney degradation

Influenza

respiratory infection caused by virus, severe forms can be fatal

Tuberculosis

mycobacterium tuberculosis, causes nodules (=tubercules) the waxy coating makes the bacteria resistant (9 month course of drugs)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS

severe, communicable viral illness that can be fatal, close contact and enclosed spaces.

Pneumonia

infection of lobes of the lungs (fluid, white blood cells, and microorganisms fill passages

Empyema

localized pus in the lung due to a bacterial infection

py/o

pus

pulmonary edema

build of fluid in the alveoli caused by left sided heart failure, chest wall trauma, or pneumonia

pulmonary embolism

a traveling clot that lodges in the lung, blocking blood flow and causing SOB

embolo

occluding plug

asthma

hyperactivity of the bronchi/bronchioles to an allergen or inhaled substance

bronchiectasis

permanent enlargement and loss of elasticity in the bronchioles which allows secretions to accumulate.

ectasis

condition of dilation

bronchitis

acute or chronic infection or inflammation of the bronchi, acute is due to infection and chronic is due to smoking and pollution.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD

includes disease like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, these disease are caused by chronic air pollution or smoking. Symptoms and signs include inflammation, severe coughing, SOB, and sputum production.

Cystic fibrosis CF

inherited condition that causes problems with respiratory, digestive and sweat secretions.

cyst/o

bladder

occupational lung disease

group of diseases caused by constant inhalation of particles from workplace environment.

pneumothorax

air in the pleural space that causes the lung to collapse

hemothorax

blood in the thoracic cavity

pleural effusion

excess fluid in the pleural space due to I&I

pleurisy (pleuritis)

I&I of the pleura that causes friction between two pleural layers

apnea

absence of breathing due to respiratory failure or arrest

dyspnea

abnormal, difficult, labored, or painful breathing

cyanosis

blueish grey skin due to low level of oxygen and high co2

hypercapnia

high levels of co2 in arterial blood

hypoxemia

very low level of oxygen in arterial blood

ABGs arterial blood gases

blood test used to measure oxygen and co2

carboxyhemoglobin

blood test to measure monoxide in the blood, patients exposed to fires/fumes

oximetry

noninvasive test to measure oxygen saturation

pulmonary function PFT

breathing test to measure the volume of air that can be forcefully inhaled and exhaled.

sputum C&S

lab test to see which bacteria is causing lung infection

Difference between CT and MRI

CT = x-rays and MRI = magnetic field

Lung scan

radioactive air is inhaled and radioactive drug is injected to identify areas of poor uptake/perfusion

chest percussion therapy

helps loosen mucus, used w cystic fibrosis

endotracheal intubation

insertion of tube into the mouth, through the vocal cords and into the trachea to establish airway or provide oxygen

antitussives

suppress cough centers in the brain for patients w nonproductive cough

antivirals

treats influenza and pneumonia

bronchodilators

relax smooth muscle around bronchi to dilate bronchi

MDI metered-dose inhaler

delivers measured dose of bronchodilator / corticosteroid drug

expectorants

reduces the thickness of sputum so it can be coughed up and out of the chest.

bronchoscopy

insertion of a bronchoscope through the mouth and larynx to examine trachea and bronchi

chest tube insertion

tube inserted into the thoracic cavity to remove excess fluid, air, or blood

lung resection

remove all or part of the lungs - to treat cancer or emphysema

thoracentesis

needle inserted into thoracic cavity to remove fluid from pleural space

centesis =

puncture

thoracotomy

incision into thoracic cavity (this is the first step in any thorax / lung procedure

A&P

auscultation and percussion

ABG

arterial blood gases

CF

cystic fibrosis

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

URI

upper respiratory infection