Care of the Patient with a Respiratory Disorder

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts regarding various respiratory disorders, diagnostic tests, pediatric conditions, and nursing interventions as presented in the lecture notes.

Visceral pleura

A thin, moist, serous membrane that covers the surface of the lung.

Parietal pleura

A serous membrane that covers the wall of the thoracic cavity.

Pleural effusion

An excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that puts pressure on the lung.

Sibilant wheezes

Musical, high-pitched squeaking or whistling lung sounds.

Sonorous wheezes (rhonchi)

Deep, low-pitched, loud, coarse snoring, gurgling, and rattle-like lung sounds.

Crackles (rales)

Short, discrete, interrupted, non-continuous crackling or bubbling sounds most common on inspiration.

Stridor

A high-pitched musical sound heard on inspiration.

Pleural friction rub

Low-pitched, grating, or creaking lung sounds.

Spiral CT (Helical)

A rapid and continuous scan completed in one breath-hold that provides faster and more accurate imaging than a standard CT.

Pulmonary angiography

A diagnostic procedure using radiographic contrast material injected into pulmonary arteries to visualize pulmonary vasculature.

Mediastinoscopy

A surgical endoscopic procedure using an incision via the suprasternal notch to visualize the structures of the mediastinum.

Laryngoscopy

A procedure allowing direct or indirect visualization of the larynx.

Bronchoscopy

A procedure performed by passing a bronchoscope into the trachea and bronchi to monitor the airway or perform lavage.

Thoracentesis

A procedure where the chest wall and pleural space are perforated with a needle to aspirate fluid.

Epistaxis

A clinical term for a nosebleed.

Stertorous respirations

Harsh snoring sounds often seen in conditions causing nasal obstruction like a deviated septum or polyps.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep where the tongue or soft palate may fall backward and obstruct the pharynx.

Acute Rhinitis

Commonly known as the cold; an inflammatory condition of the mucous membranes of the nose and accessory sinuses.

Acute Follicular Tonsillitis

An acute inflammation of the tonsils usually resulting from streptococcus or a viral infection.

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx that can cause hoarseness or a complete loss of voice.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the throat; the most severe form is strep throat.

Sinusitis

Inflammation of one or more of the sinus cavities (maxillary or frontal) which may be viral or bacterial.

Acute Bronchitis

Inflammation of the trachea and bronchial tree leading to congestion and retention of tenacious secretions.

Legionnaires’ Disease

A type of life-threatening pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophilia, transmitted via airborne routes.

Anthrax

An infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, commonly found in nature infecting wild and hoofed animals.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A chronic pulmonary disease caused by the inhalation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, resulting in a tubercle bacillus in the lung alveoli.

Pneumonia

An acute inflammation of the bronchioles and alveolar spaces where secretions accumulate and become infected.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the visceral and parietal pleura causing sharp inspiratory pain radiating to the shoulder or abdomen.

Empyema

A condition where fluid in the pleural space becomes infected.

Atelectasis

The collapse of lung tissue (alveoli) which prevents the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Pneumothorax

A collection of air or gas in the pleural space that causes the lung to collapse.

Pulmonary Edema

The accumulation of serous fluid in the interstitial lung tissue and alveoli.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

A foreign substance such as a blood clot, fat, or air that travels into the pulmonary artery, obstructing blood supply.

Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

A complication of direct or indirect pulmonary injury where the alveolar capillary membrane allows fluid to leak into the alveoli, creating hypoxia.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A chronic respiratory condition that obstructs the flow of air; include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and bronchiectasis.

Emphysema

An alveolar disease characterized by permanent enlargement of alveoli and destruction of alveolar walls, often leading to a barrel chest.

Chronic Bronchitis

A condition involving a recurrent productive cough for at least 3 months a year for at least 2 years, primarily caused by smoking.

Asthma

A condition characterized by episodic narrowing, inflammation, and edematous airways that produce excess mucus.

Status Asthmaticus

A severe, unrelenting, life-threatening asthma attack that fails to respond to usual treatments like epinephrine.

Bronchiectasis

Chronic dilation of the bronchi that eventually destroys the elastic and muscular elements of the bronchial walls.

Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)

A viral condition characterized by a 'barking' cough and inspiratory stridor, common in children before age $5$.

Epiglottitis

A life-threatening swelling of tissues above the vocal cords causing severe airway obstruction, drooling, and an anxious appearance.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

The most common viral cause of bronchiolitis in infants between $2$ months and $2$ years of age.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

An exocrine gland dysfunction causing thick, sticky mucus that obstructs the lungs and digestive tract.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Fibrosis or thickening of alveolar walls and bronchiolar epithelium occurring in premature babies born before $32$ weeks.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant between $2$ weeks and $1$ year of age during sleep.

Tracheostomy

An artificial opening made by a surgical incision into the trachea to provide a patent airway.

Mucomyst (acetylcysteine)

A mucolytic agent that decreases the viscosity of respiratory secretions and acts as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose.