Intro to Respiratory | Ch 16 vocabulary

Cachexia

general ill health and malnutrition, characterized by weakness and emancipation

Diaphoresis

secretion of sweat, especially profuse secretion associated with an elevated body temperature, physical exertion, exposure to heat, and mental or emotional stress

tripod sign

placement of the elbows on a hard surface while sitting upright to support the movement of the chest wall and lungs during breathing. this position gives a mechanical advantage to the accessory breathing muscles of the upper chest and neck

sensorium

term referring to the locus of a patients consciousness

febrile

describing a person who has fever

hypothermia

an abnormal and dangerous condition in which the temperature of the body is less than 32C, usually caused by a prolonged exposure to the cold

tachycardia

abnormally elevated heart rate

bradycardia

an abnormal decrease in heart rate

pulse pressure

the difference between the systolic pressure and diastolic pressures, which is normally 30-40 mmHg

pulsus paradoxus

an abnormal decrease in pulse pressure with each inspiratory effort

pulsus alternans

a pulse alternating between strong and weak heartbeats

tacnypnea

abnormal elevation in breathing rate

bradypnea

abnormal decrease in breathing rate

arterial blood pressure

the force exterted by the heart against the systemic arteries as the blood moves through them

systolic pressure

peak blood pressure occurring in the arteries during ventricular contraction

diastolic pressure

baseline blood pressure in the arteries during ventricular relaxation

hypertension

high blood pressure

hypotension

an abnormal condition in which the blood pressure is inadequate for normal perfusion and oxygenation for tissues

shock

a condition in which perfusion to vital organs is inadequate to meet metabolic needs; includes hypovolemic, cardiogenic, septic, anaphylactic, and neurogenic forms

hypovolemia

abnormally low circulating blood volume

postural hypotension

a sudden decrease in arterial blood pressure caused by a change In position; most often occurs when a hypovolemic patient moves from the reclining position to the upright position

syncope

temporary unconsciousness/ fainting

Cyanosis

a bluish discoloration, especially of the skin and mucous membranes, due to excessive concentration of deoxyhemoglobin in the blood caused by deoxygenation

Kussmaul sign

paradoxical increase in venous pressure with distention of the jugular veins during inspiration, as seen in constrictive pericarditis or mediastinal tumor

jugular venous distension

abnormal distinction of the jugular veins, most often caused by heart failure

lymphadenopathy

of or pertaining to a disease of the lymph nodes; refers also to the visualization of enlarged lymph nodes on radiographs

barrel chest

an abnormal increase in the anteroposterior diameter of the chest caused by hyperinflation of the lungs

retractions

repetitive sinking inward of the skin around the chest cage with each inspiratory effort

tracheal tugging

the effect of an aortic aneurism in which the trachea is pulled downward with each heart contractuon

Kussmaul breathing

type of breathing observed during severe metabolic acidosis whereby patients breathe rapidly and deeply, similar to the breathing of a normal person during strenuous exercise, associated with diabetic ketoacidosis

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

abnormal breathing pattern with periods of progressively deeper breaths alternating with periods of shallow breathing and apnea

Biot respiration

breathing characterized by irregular periods of apnea alternating with periods in which 4 or 5 breaths of identical depth are taken

agonal breathing

irregular, gasping breaths often seen during cardiac arrest

apneustic breathing

a pattern of respiration characterized by a prolonged inspiratory phase followed by expiratory apnea

central neurogenic hyperventilation

breathing characterized by persistent hyperventilation driven by abnormal driven stimuli

Central neurogenic hypoventilation

a condition in which the respiratory centers do not respond appropriately to ventilatory stimuli, such as CO2. Also associated with head trauma and brain hypoxia as well as narcotic suppression of the respiratory center

Hoover sign

inward movement of the lower lateral margins of the chest wall with each inspiratory effort owing to a low, flat diaphragm as seen in emphysema

Respiratory alternans

alternation between use of the diaphragm for short periods and the use of accessory muscles to breathe, indicative or end-stage respiratory muscle fatigue

abdominal paradox

abnormal breathing pattern seen as a sinking inward motion of the abdomen with each inspiratory effort; a sign of diaphragm fatigue

subcutaneous emphysema

an accumulation of air in the subcutaneous tissues owing to leakage from the lung

pneumothorax

the presence of air or gas in the pleura space of the thorax; if this air or gas is trapped under pressure, tension pneumothorax exists

adventitious lung sounds

abnormal lung sounds

crackles or rales

a discontinuous type of adventitious lung sound

wheezes

high pitched continuous type of adventitious lung sound

stridor

a high pitched continuous type of adventitious lung sound heard from the upper airway

pleural friction rub

friction or inflamed pleural surfaces during breathing that produces a creaking or grating sound

bronchophony

abnormal breath sounds heard over lung consolidation

precordium

the region of the thorax immediately in front of the heart