Respiratory Pathophysiology and Clinical Management

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering respiratory anatomy, obstructive versus restrictive pathophysiology, asthma, COPD phenotypes, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia classifications.

Conducting Zone

The airway structures—including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles—that filter, warm, humidify, and transport air into the lungs without participating in gas exchange.

Respiratory Zone

The microscopic terminal section of the respiratory tract—consisting of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli—where active gas exchange occurs.

Alveoli

Terminal microscopic air sacs within the lungs lined with an alveolar membrane that expand upon inspiration to enable passive diffusion of oxygen into pulmonary capillaries and carbon dioxide out of them.

Ventilation Problem

A mechanism of respiratory failure characterized by the inability to effectively move air into or out of the lungs.

Diffusion Problem

A respiratory failure issue where oxygen and carbon dioxide are prevented from effectively crossing the alveolar-capillary membrane, often caused by membrane destruction or thickening (fibrosis).

Perfusion Problem

A condition in which pulmonary vascular circulation fails to deliver blood flow to ventilated alveoli, such as during a pulmonary embolism.

Mechanical Problem

A respiratory dysfunction in which the lungs, thoracic chest wall, or respiratory muscles cannot expand adequately.

Obstructive Lung Disease

A classification of pulmonary disorders (including asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis) that cause increased resistance and make it difficult to expel air during expiration.

Restrictive Lung Disease

A category of pulmonary disorders characterized by stiff lung tissue, a rigid chest wall, or neuromuscular weakness that impairs inspiration and prevents the lungs from expanding fully.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)

An antibody isotype produced by the immune system that binds to mast cells and initiates the early phase of an acute asthma exacerbation in response to triggers.

Pulsus Paradoxus

An exaggerated fall in systolic blood pressure during inspiration that serves as a clinical sign of severe asthma exacerbation.

Short-Acting Beta Agonists (SABA)

A class of rapid-acting bronchodilators, including Albuterol, prescribed for quick rescue relief of acute bronchospasm or taken prophylactically before exercise.

Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABA)

Maintenance bronchodilator agents, such as Salmeterol, used to provide long-term, sustained relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle.

Leukotriene Modifiers

Anti-inflammatory pharmacologic agents, such as Montelukast and Zafirlukast, that block leukotriene receptors to inhibit smooth muscle constriction and inflammation.

The "1-5 Rule"

The clinical rule of thumb for inhaler administration specifying a $1\text{-minute}$ wait between puffs of the same medication, and a $5\text{-minute}$ wait between two different inhaled medications.

Chronic Bronchitis

A COPD component clinically defined by a mucus-producing productive cough lasting for greater than $3\text{ months}$ across $2\text{ consecutive years}$.

Blue Bloater

A clinical presentation of chronic bronchitis marked by cyanosis from hypoxemia, purulent productive cough, wheezing, and peripheral edema secondary to cor pulmonale.

Emphysema

A progressive obstructive lung disease marked by irreversible alveolar wall destruction, loss of elastic recoil, hyperinflation, and air trapping.

Pink Puffer

A clinical presentation of emphysema characterized by severe dyspnea, increased work of breathing, pursed-lip breathing, a barrel chest with increased anterior-posterior diameter, pink-toned skin, and cachexia.

GOLD Guidelines

The global staging and therapeutic framework classifying COPD into groups (Group A, Group B, Group E) based on $FEV_1$, symptom severity, and exacerbation frequency.

Cystic Fibrosis

An inherited autosomal recessive disease that produces abnormally thick, dehydrated mucus secretions, leading to recurrent lung infections, salty-tasting skin, impaired airway clearance, and pancreatic insufficiency.

Inhaled DNAse (Dornase Alfa)

An inhaled enzymatic therapy for cystic fibrosis that breaks down extracellular DNA from degenerating neutrophils in respiratory secretions to thin tenacious mucus.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The pathogenic acid-fast bacterium responsible for tuberculosis that primarily invades pulmonary tissue but can cause extrapulmonary disease in the kidneys, spine, or brain.

Latent TB Infection

An inactive state where tuberculosis bacteria are dormant within enclosed granulomas (tubercles); the patient has no symptoms, cannot spread TB, and typically displays a normal chest X-ray.

Active TB Disease

A communicable clinical disease state caused by proliferating Mycobacterium tuberculosis, characterized by night sweats, fever, chills, unintended weight loss, and a cough lasting longer than $3\text{ weeks}$.

Airborne Precautions

An infection prevention standard mandated for active pulmonary tuberculosis that requires housing the patient in a negative-pressure isolation room and wearing an N95 respirator.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)

Infectious inflammation of the lung parenchyma that develops outside of hospital or healthcare facility environments.

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP)

A pulmonary parenchymal infection contracted $48\text{ hours}$ or more after admission to a hospital that was not present or incubating on admission.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

A nosocomial respiratory infection that arises in intubated patients receiving mechanical ventilation, typically developing after greater than $48$ to $72\text{ hours}$ of endotracheal intubation.

Aspiration Pneumonia

Pulmonary inflammation and infection resulting from the abnormal inhalation of ingested liquids, solid food particles, or acidic gastric secretions into the lower airways.