Chapter 15 Terms

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

A severe lung condition where fluid fills the lungs' air sacs, making breathing extremely difficult.

Adventitious breath sounds

Abnormal sounds heard during lung auscultation, indicating underlying respiratory issues.

Air trapping

Difficulty exhaling completely, leading to a buildup of air in the lungs.

Airway remodeling

Structural changes in the airways, commonly observed in asthma and chronic bronchitis.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT)

A protein that protects the lungs; deficiency can lead to emphysema.

Anoxia

Complete absence of oxygen supply to tissues, a life-threatening condition.

Aspiration

Inhaling foreign substances, such as food or vomit, into the airways.

Aspiration pneumonia

Lung infection caused by aspiration, leading to inflammation and breathing difficulties.

Asthma

Chronic airway disease characterized by inflammation and reversible airflow obstruction.

Atelectasis

Collapse of lung tissue, preventing normal gas exchange.

Barrel chest

Abnormal increase in chest diameter, often seen in patients with emphysema.

Bronchiectasis

Permanent dilation and damage to the bronchi, leading to mucus buildup.

Capillary refill

The time it takes for color to return to the skin after pressure is applied.

Central cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low blood oxygen levels.

Centriacinar emphysema

A type of emphysema that primarily affects the central part of the lung's air sacs.

Chemoreceptors

Sensors that detect changes in blood oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH levels.

Chronic bronchitis

Persistent inflammation and mucus production in the bronchi, leading to a chronic cough.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A group of lung diseases characterized by airflow obstruction.

Clubbing

Enlargement of the fingertips and toes, often associated with chronic lung diseases.

Compliance

The ability of the lungs to expand and recoil during breathing.

Consolidation

Solidification of lung tissue due to fluid accumulation.

Cor pulmonale

Right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary hypertension.

Costochondritis

Inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum, causing chest pain.

Crackles

Abnormal lung sounds heard during auscultation, indicating fluid in the lungs.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low blood oxygen levels.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

A genetic disorder affecting the lungs, characterized by thick mucus buildup.

Diffusing capacity

The ability of the lungs to transfer gases between the air and blood.

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Emphysema

Destruction of the alveoli, leading to reduced lung function.

Empyema

Pus accumulation in the pleural space, often caused by infection.

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA)

Asthma triggered by physical activity.

Expiration

The process of breathing out, expelling air from the lungs.

Fibrosis

Scarring and thickening of lung tissue, reducing lung elasticity.

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)

The amount of air forcefully exhaled in the first second.

Forced vital capacity (FVC)

The total amount of air forcefully exhaled after a deep breath.

Gastroesophageal reflux

Backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus.

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum.

Hepatization

Solidification of lung tissue, resembling the liver.

Hyaline membrane

A layer of protein and dead cells lining the alveoli in ARDS.

Hypercapnia

Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Hypoxemia

Low blood oxygen levels.

Hypoxia

Reduced oxygen supply to tissues.

Impaired diffusion

Reduced ability of the lungs to transfer gases.

Inspiration

The process of breathing in, drawing air into the lungs.

Mechanical ventilation

Use of a machine to assist or replace breathing.

Mucus plugs

Thick mucus secretions that can obstruct airways.

Nosocomial

Hospital-acquired infection.

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath when lying flat.

Oxygen saturation (SaO2)

The percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is carrying oxygen.

Oxyhemoglobin (HbO2)

Hemoglobin bound to oxygen.

PaO2

Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood.

PaCO2

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood.

Panacinar emphysema

A type of emphysema that affects the entire alveolus.

Perfusion

Blood flow through the lungs or other tissues.

Peripheral cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the extremities due to low oxygen levels.

Phlegm

Mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract.

Pleural effusion

Fluid accumulation in the pleural space.

Pleural friction rub

A grating sound indicating inflammation of the pleura.

Pneumonia

Lung infection causing inflammation and fluid accumulation.

Pneumothorax

Air in the pleural space, causing lung collapse.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid accumulation in the lungs.

Pulmonary embolus

Blockage of a pulmonary artery, usually by a blood clot.

Pulsus paradoxus

An abnormally large decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration.

Pursed lip breathing

A breathing technique that helps improve airflow.

Residual volume (RV)

The amount of air remaining in the lungs after exhalation.

Resistance

Opposition to airflow in the airways.

Respiration

The process of gas exchange between the body and the environment.

Respiratory failure

Inability of the lungs to provide adequate oxygenation.

Retractions

Visible sinking of the chest wall during inspiration.

Sepsis

A life-threatening condition caused by infection.

Sputum

Mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract.

Status asthmaticus

A severe asthma attack that does not respond to treatment.

Surfactant

A substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

A widespread inflammatory response to infection.

Tidal volume (TV)

The amount of air inhaled and exhaled during normal breathing.

Total lung capacity (TLC)

The maximum amount of air the lungs can hold.

Type I alveolar cells

Cells that allow for gas exchange in the alveoli.

Type II alveolar cells

Cells that produce surfactant, essential for lung function.

Typical pneumonia

Pneumonia caused by typical bacteria, often more severe.

Ventilation

The process of moving air in and out of the lungs.

Ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) mismatching

An imbalance between airflow and blood flow in the lung.