Cardiopulmonary Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards covering key cardiopulmonary concepts, breathing exercises, breath and heart sounds, lab values, CPR, breathing patterns, ABGs, exercise prescription, blood pressure, heart anatomy, and various cardiac and cardiopulmonary pathologies and pharmacology.

Diaphragmatic breathing

A breathing exercise good for those with trouble inhaling, restrictive lung diseases, SOB, or a bad breathing pattern. It increases respiratory rate and tidal volume.

Paced breathing

A breathing exercise for people experiencing shortness of breath (SOB) during activities or those with a bad breathing pattern.

Pursed lip breathing

A breathing exercise good for those who have trouble getting air out, such as with obstructive lung disease. It decreases respiratory rate, SOB, and prevents airway collapse.

Segmental breathing

A breathing exercise designed to improve regional ventilation within the lungs.

Incentive spirometry

A technique used for increasing inhalation volumes and preventing lung collapse.

Crackles (rales)

Abnormal breath sounds described as fine or coarse, sounding like pop rocks on inspiration.

Stridor

A continuous high-pitched wheeze occurring on inspiration or expiration.

Wheeze

A musical or whistling sound with a variety of pitches heard on inspiration and/or expiration.

Pleural Friction Rub

A dry, crackling sound, like moving furniture on a wood floor, heard on inspiration and expiration.

Rhonchi

A snorkling or gurgling sound heard on inspiration and expiration.

S1 Heart Sound

The sound associated with the closure of the mitral (bicuspid) valve.

S2 Heart Sound

The sound associated with the closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves.

S3 Heart Sound

An abnormal heart sound in adults (normal in kids) due to the vibration of distended ventricular walls.

Murmur

Vibrations of longer duration heard during heart sounds, caused by disruption of blood flow past a stenotic valve.

WBC (White Blood Cell) Normal Count

5000-10,000

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

Referred to as 'good cholesterol,' with a normal range of 40-60.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

A type of cholesterol, with a normal level of <100.

Hematocrit

The percentage of red blood cells (RBC) in total blood volume; 42-52% in males and 37-47% in females.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen; 14-19 in males, 12-15 in females.

PTT and PT

Lab values that measure how quickly blood clots.

Adult CPR Compressions to Breaths Ratio

30 compressions to 2 breaths.

Apnea

The absence of breathing.

Tachypnea

Quick breathing.

Bradypnea

Slow breathing.

Eupnea

Normal breathing.

Hypopnea

Decreased rate and depth of breathing.

Hyperpnea

Increased rate and depth of breathing.

Cheyne Stokes

A breathing pattern with decreased rate and depth, interspersed with periods of apnea.

Normal Adult Respiratory Rate

12-20 breaths per minute (bpm).

Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)

Tests that evaluate acid-base status (pH), ventilation (PaCO2), and oxygenation of arterial blood (PaO2).

Normal Blood pH

7.35-7.45.

Normal PaCO2

35-45.

Normal PaO2

80-100.

SaO2 (Oxygen Saturation)

The percentage of oxygen saturation, normally 95-100%.

Karvonen Formula

Used for calculating target heart rate: (Max HR – resting HR) x % intensity + resting HR.

Normal Blood Pressure

Hypertension Stage 1

Blood pressure reading of 130-139/80-89.

Systolic Blood Pressure

The maximum pressure against arteries during the ejection cycle; it changes with exercise.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

The minimum pressure against arteries at rest; it does not change with exercise.

Systemic circulation

The pathway of blood from the aorta to arteries, arterioles, capillaries of the body, and then from capillaries to venules, veins, to the right side of the heart.

Endocardium

The layer that lines the interior walls of the heart.

Myocardium

The heart muscle.

Epicardium

The serous layer of the pericardium containing coronary arteries and veins.

Coronary arteries

Arteries that carry blood to the myocardium (heart muscle).

SA node

The pacemaker of the heart.

Aneurysm

An abnormal, localized dilation of a blood vessel in an artery, commonly in the thoracic and abdominal aorta and brain vessels.

Angina pectoris

A transient sensation of pressure or discomfort resulting from myocardial ischemia due to inadequate blood flow to the heart.

Stable angina

Angina that occurs with exertion and goes away with rest or nitroglycerin.

Unstable angina

Angina that is more intense, occurs with less energy exertion, is progressive, and does not go away with rest or nitroglycerin.

Atherosclerosis

A slow progressive accumulation of plaque in arteries that can cause clots.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

A condition where veins and valves in the lower extremities (LE) are damaged, causing blood to remain filled in the veins.

Cor Pulmonale

Hypertrophy of the right ventricle due to altered structure or lung function, specifically pulmonary hypertension from chronically increased resistance in pulmonary circulation.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to plaque, resulting in decreased blood flow.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot in the lower leg caused by prolonged sitting, cancer, birth control, or recent surgery.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A condition where the heart cannot meet the body’s needs, often beginning in the left ventricle, leading to increased heart rate and cardiac muscle mass.

Left-sided CHF

Heart failure that can lead to pulmonary edema and orthopnea.

Right-sided CHF

Heart failure that can lead to lower extremity (LE) swelling, abdominal distention, cor pulmonale, jugular vein distention, and ascites.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

A condition where blood flow through coronary arteries is reduced or cut off, causing ischemia (heart attack).

Asthma

Chronic inflammation of airways due to hypersensitivity to stimuli like pollen, mold, animal dust, food, or smoke.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchi with hypertrophy of mucus-secreting glands, increased mucus, and decreased oxygen.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

An obstructive disease that blocks airflow due to narrowing of the bronchial tree, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Cystic Fibrosis

An autosomal recessive disease of the exocrine glands affecting lungs, GI, liver, and pancreas, causing the body to produce thick mucus.

Emphysema

An obstructive disease where alveolar walls are gradually destroyed and turned into large, irregular pockets, causing bronchioles to collapse and trap air.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs due to a viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection.

Pneumothorax

Accumulation of air in the pleural cavity that results in a collapsed lung; a restrictive issue.

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid collects in the alveoli of the lungs, making it hard to breathe, often due to left-sided CHF.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A highly contagious airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Venous Thrombosis

A blood clot in a vein.

Restrictive Lung Dysfunction

Decreased lung compliance, leading to a reduction in lung expansion and ventilation.

Pulmonary Embolism

A condition where arteries in the lungs become blocked by a clot that originated from the lower extremities (LE).

Respiratory Acidosis

A condition where pH is low and CO2 is high, due to hypoventilation preventing adequate removal of CO2 from the body (hypercapnia).

Respiratory Alkalosis

A condition where pH is high and CO2 is low, due to hyperventilation removing more CO2 from the body than can be produced (hypocapnia).

ACE inhibitor

A type of medication used to decrease blood pressure.

Alpha-adrenergic antagonist agents

Medications that work against the sympathetic nervous system.

Anticoagulant

Medications that thin blood and inhibit platelet aggregation, used after an MI or CABG (e.g., heparin, warfarin).

Antithrombotic

Medications that prevent platelet formation, used post-MI, for A-fib, and to prevent DVT (e.g., aspirin).

Anti-HLD agents (Statins)

Medications that break down LDL and increase HDL levels (e.g., atorvastatin).

Beta adrenergic blocking agents

Medications used to decrease blood pressure.

Calcium channel blocker

A medication that decreases myocardial contraction and decreases the oxygen demand of the heart.

Diuretic agent

A medication that increases the excretion of urine and sodium, reducing plasma volume and blood pressure (e.g., Lasix).

Nitrate agents

Medications that decrease myocardial ischemia through the dilation of vessels (e.g., nitroglycerin).

Thrombolytic agents

Medications that facilitate clot dissolving.

Antihistamine

Medications that block the effects of histamine to decrease congestion, sneezing, allergies, and mucus.

Anti-inflammatory agents

Medications that prevent bronchoconstriction by inhibiting inflammatory cells like prostaglandins and cytokines, used for asthma and bronchospasms.

Bronchodilator agents

Medications used to relieve bronchospasm (e.g., Ventolin).

Expectorant and mucolytic agents

Medications that aid in airway clearance and help break up mucus.

Postural Drainage (Upper Lobes)

Positioning for drainage where upper lobes are NOT in Trendelenburg.

Postural Drainage (Right Middle Lobe)

Positioning for drainage where the patient is in 16” Trendelenburg.

Postural Drainage (Lower Lobes - except superior segment)

Positioning for drainage where the patient is in 20” Trendelenburg.

Postural Drainage (Lower Lobe - superior segment)

Positioning for drainage where the patient is prone with a pillow beneath the hips.

Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

A scale (0-10 or 6-20) used to measure exertion, useful when a patient is on heart medications, HR is compromised, or a rehab program has started.