Management of Patients with Upper Respiratory Tract Disorders – Key Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering definitions and key terms related to upper respiratory tract disorders, their management, and associated nursing care.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI)

Any acute infection of the nose, sinuses, pharynx, or larynx; includes the common cold.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes, causing runny or stuffy nose; also called coryza.

Allergic Rhinitis

Rhinitis triggered by exposure to airborne allergens such as dust, dander, or pollen.

Coryza

Another term for acute rhinitis or the common cold.

Rhinorrhea

Excessive nasal drainage resulting in a runny nose.

Pseudoephedrine

Oral decongestant often combined with an antihistamine to relieve nasal obstruction.

Ipratropium (Intranasal)

Anticholinergic spray used 2–3 times daily to reduce rhinorrhea.

Intranasal Corticosteroids

Sprays that reduce severe nasal congestion by decreasing inflammation.

Rhinosinusitis

Inflammation of one or more paranasal sinuses; may be acute or chronic.

Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis (ABRS)

Sinus infection lasting ≤4 weeks, most often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or H. influenzae.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Sinus inflammation persisting >12 weeks, often unresponsive to routine therapy.

Maxillary Sinus

Largest paranasal sinus; frequently affected in rhinosinusitis.

Ethmoid Sinus

Group of small air cells between the eyes; commonly infected in sinusitis.

Sinus Lavage (Nasal Irrigation)

Flushing nasal passages with saline to clear mucus and reduce inflammation.

Semi-Fowler’s Position

Head of bed elevated 30–45°; promotes sinus drainage and eases breathing.

Group A β-Hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS)

Bacterium responsible for strep throat and some cases of tonsillitis.

Acute Pharyngitis

Sudden painful inflammation of the pharynx, producing a sore throat.

Rapid Streptococcal Antigen Test (RSAT)

Bedside test that quickly detects GABHS in throat swabs.

Tonsillitis

Inflammation of the palatine tonsils, usually due to viral or bacterial infection.

Adenoiditis

Inflammation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx (adenoids).

Tonsillectomy

Surgical removal of the palatine tonsils.

Adenoidectomy

Surgical removal of the adenoids.

Ice Collar

Cold pack applied to the neck post-tonsillectomy to reduce pain and bleeding.

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx, commonly causing hoarseness.

Aphonia

Complete loss of voice associated with severe laryngitis.

Reflux Laryngitis

Laryngeal inflammation caused by gastric acid reflux.

Beclomethasone Dipropionate

Inhaled corticosteroid sometimes used for chronic laryngitis.

Epistaxis

Hemorrhage from the nose (nosebleed).

Kiesselbach Plexus

Vascular network on the anterior nasal septum; most common site of epistaxis.

Anterior Nosebleed

Bleeding from the front of the nasal septum; usually easy to control.

Posterior Nosebleed

Bleeding from deeper nasal vessels; often more severe and harder to manage.

Phenylephrine (Nasal)

Topical vasoconstrictor applied to reduce bleeding and congestion.

Silver Nitrate Cautery

Chemical method used to seal bleeding nasal vessels.

Nasal Packing

Insertion of gauze or balloon catheter into the nose to control persistent bleeding.

Cancer of the Larynx

Malignant tumor arising from laryngeal tissues; often linked to smoking and alcohol.

Glottic Cancer

Tumor located on the true vocal cords; presents early with hoarseness.

Supraglottic Cancer

Tumor above the vocal cords involving epiglottis or false cords.

Subglottic Cancer

Rare tumor below the vocal cords toward the trachea.

Total Laryngectomy

Removal of the entire larynx, resulting in permanent loss of natural voice and tracheal stoma.

Partial Laryngectomy

Removal of part of the larynx to preserve some voice function.

Supraglottic Laryngectomy

Surgery removing structures above the vocal cords while sparing true cords.

Hemilaryngectomy

Resection of one true and one false vocal cord with half of thyroid cartilage.

Tracheostomy

Surgically created opening into the trachea for airway access.

Tracheoesophageal Puncture

Creation of a fistula between trachea and esophagus for voice prosthesis placement.

Esophageal Speech

Voice production by trapping and releasing air from the esophagus.

Electric Larynx

Hand-held, battery-powered device that produces mechanical speech after laryngectomy.

Blom–Singer Voice Prosthesis

One-way valve placed in a tracheoesophageal puncture to enable speech.

Radical Neck Dissection

Extensive surgery removing lymph nodes, muscle, and other tissues to treat metastasis.

Pharyngocutaneous Fistula

Abnormal connection between pharynx and skin, possible complication after laryngectomy.

Stomal Stenosis

Narrowing of a tracheal stoma that can impede breathing post-laryngectomy.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

Chemotherapeutic agent frequently used for squamous cell cancers of the larynx.

TNM Staging

Cancer classification system based on tumor size (T), nodal involvement (N), and metastasis (M).

Aspiration Pneumonia

Lung infection caused by inhalation of food or fluids; risk increases after laryngectomy.

Humidification

Addition of moisture to inhaled air to prevent drying of airway mucosa.

Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)

Drug class, e.g., omeprazole, that reduces gastric acid; used in reflux laryngitis.

Omeprazole

Common PPI prescribed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Amoxicillin

Broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic used for bacterial rhinosinusitis or tonsillitis.

Diphenhydramine

First-generation antihistamine used to control allergy-related symptoms.

Cetirizine

Second-generation antihistamine providing relief of allergic rhinitis without sedation.

Penicillin

Antibiotic of choice for streptococcal pharyngitis when no allergy is present.

Cephalosporins

β-lactam antibiotics used when penicillin is contraindicated or ineffective.

Macrolides

Antibiotic class (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin) alternative for penicillin allergy.