Respiratory System and Oxygenation Concepts

A series of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms and definitions related to respiratory assessment and intervention.

Hypoxia

A condition in which there is a deficiency of oxygen in the tissues.

Signs of early hypoxia

Restlessness, flaring, shortness of breath, pale skin, elevated vital signs.

Signs of late hypoxia

Cyanosis, cold skin, low blood pressure, unresponsiveness, cardiac dysrhythmias.

Crackles

Abnormal lung sounds that are high-pitched, bubbly, and associated with fluid in the lungs.

Wheezing

High-pitched musical sounds typically produced during expiration, associated with narrowed airways.

Rhonchi

Continuous low-pitched, coarse sounds often resembling snoring, caused by obstruction in the bronchial tree.

Dyspnea

Difficulty or labored breathing.

Apnea

Absence of breathing for fifteen to twenty seconds or longer.

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

An abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by alternating periods of deep and shallow breaths and periods of apnea.

Hyperventilation

Rapid and deep breathing that results in excessive elimination of carbon dioxide.

Hypoventilation

Inadequate ventilation leading to an increased concentration of carbon dioxide.

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath that occurs when lying flat.

Sputum collection

A procedure to gather mucus from the lungs for diagnostic testing.

Oxygen delivery systems

Devices that provide supplemental oxygen to patients, including nasal cannulas and masks.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a progressive lung disease characterized by reduced airflow.

Pneumothorax

The presence of air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse.

Chest tube

A tube inserted into the pleural space to drain air or fluid, restoring negative pressure.

Trach care

Maintenance and cleaning of a tracheostomy to prevent infection and ensure patency.

Pulse oximetry

A non-invasive method used to measure the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood.

Normal pulse ox range

95% to 100% saturation of oxygen in the blood.