Noninfectious Upper Respiratory Conditions Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, symptoms, interventions, and specific conditions of the upper respiratory system including OSA and Epistaxis.

Upper Airway Components

The structural parts of the upper respiratory tract including the Nose, Sinuses, Oropharynx, Larynx, and Trachea.

Tongue Occlusion

A cause of airway obstruction occurring due to loss of the gag reflex, typically seen in unconscious or coma patients.

Laryngeal Edema

Obstruction caused by smoke or toxin inhalation, inflammation, or anaphylaxis.

High-Risk Patient Groups (Obstruction)

Individuals with altered mental status, inability to communicate, increased aspiration risk, or inability to cough.

Partial Airway Obstruction S/S

Signs and symptoms including diaphoresis, tachycardia, anxiety, and HTN (Hypertension).

Stridor

A physical sign of upper airway obstruction that indicates severe narrowing and impending airway compromise.

Tracheotomy

A surgical or emergency intervention for airway obstruction that can be performed in less than $2\text{ min}$.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

A condition characterized by mechanical airway obstruction during sleep lasting more than $10\text{ seconds}$.

OSA Cyclic Pathophysiology

A series of events where obstruction leads to apneic episodes ($>10\text{ seconds}$), hypoxia, blood gas changes, and arousal, often repeating every $5\text{ minutes}$.

Respiratory Acidosis

The specific acid-base imbalance that occurs during the cyclic obstruction and apneic episodes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; the most commonly used non-surgical therapy for OSA, which requires a tight fit and high compliance ($e.g., 6\text{ hours/day}$) to be effective.

Anterior Epistaxis

Bleeding that originates from the front of the nose.

Posterior Epistaxis

A severe form of nosebleed originating from the back of the nose that is harder to pack and risks draining into the airway.

CSF Glucose Test

A diagnostic method to differentiate clear nasal drainage from cerebrospinal fluid, as CSF contains glucose and normal nasal secretions do not.

Halo Sign

A yellow ring appearing around dried fluid on paper, indicating the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage.

Nasal and Sinus Cancer Risk Factors

Exposures to wood, textile, leather, or flour dust; metals like nickel or chromium; mustard gas; radium; and cigarette smoking.