Airway Block: Medical Terminology

Bradycardia

Slow heart rate; less than 60 beats per minute

Tachycardia

Fast heart rate; greater than 100 beats per minute

Apnea

Complete absence of breathing

Eupnea

Normal, relaxed breathing

Dyspnea

Difficult, labored, or uncomfortable breathing; shortness of breath

Oropharynx

The part of the throat behind the mouth; helps carry air to the airway

Wheezing

Caused by narrowed or blocked airway

Snoring

Caused by a partially blocked upper airway, usually from tongue or soft tissue

Gurgling

Bubbling sound; caused by fluid, blood, or vomit in airway

Stridor

Harsh, high-pitched sound; caused by upper airway obstruction

Crackles/rales

Popping or crackling lung sounds; caused by fluid in the lungs

Rhonchi

Low-pitched rattling sounds; caused by airway blocked by mucus

Hypotensive

Low blood pressure; less than 90 mm Hg

Hypertensive

High blood pressure; more than 130 mm Hg

Hypovolemia

Body loses blood or fluid volume

Labored breathing

A person must work harder than normal to breathe

Diffusion

Movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and bloodstream

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx; sore throat

Cyanotic

Bluish or purple discoloration; low oxygen levels

Phrenic

Controls diaphragm; essential for breathing

Symptomatic

Symptom or sign of a disease

Hemorrhage

Severe escape of blood from ruptured blood vessel

Dependent pedal edema

Swelling in legs; caused by fluid buildup in tissues

Hypoxemia

Lack of oxygen in blood

Hypoxia

Lack of oxygen in cell/tissues

Hematemesis

Vomiting of blood

Anoxia

Complete absence of oxygen reaching body or brain’s tissues

Pulmonary edema

Fluid accumulation in lungs; breathing is difficult

Edematous

Swollen tissue; caused by excessive fluid

See-Saw Breathing

Respiratory pattern where chest and abdomen move in opposite directions

Laryngectomy

Removal of larynx

Malaise

Feeling of weakness, discomfort or illness without specific cause

Superior

Nearer to head

Inferior

Nearer to feet

Lateral

Farther to midline

Medial

Closer to midline

Proximal

Closer to body center

Distal

Farther from body center

Superficial

Closer to body surface

Deep

Farther from surface/more internal

Ventral/anterior

Front surface of body

Dorsal/posterior

Back surface of body

Palmar

Palm side of hand

Plantar

Sole of foot

Apex

Top/highest point

Bilateral

Both sides of midline

Unilateral

Only one side of body

Flexion

Bending of a joint

Extension

Straightening of a joint

Adduction

Motion toward the midline

Abduction

Motion away from midline

Prone

Lying face down

Supine

Lying face up

Fowler position

Sitting up at 90 degrees

Semi-fowler position

Semi-reclining with head elevated; sitting 45 degrees

Analgesic

Reliving pain

Anaphylaxis

Severe, life-threatening allergic reaction

Bronchitis

Swelling and irritation of the airways in the lungs that causes coughing, often with mucus.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

A chronic lung condition that causes breathing problems due to damaged airways and lungs.

Pneumonia

A lung infection that makes breathing harder and can cause coughing, fever, and chest pain.

Cystic fibrosis

A genetic disorder that causes thick mucus to clog the lungs and digestive system, making it hard to breathe and digest food.

CHF (cognitive heart failure)

A condition where the heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood properly, causing fluid to build up in the lungs and other parts of the body.

Pleural effusion

A buildup of fluid around the lungs that can make breathing difficult.

Pneumothorax

A collapsed lung caused by air getting into the space around the lung.

Hemothorax

Blood around the lung, usually caused by bleeding in the chest.

Pulmonary contusion

A bruised lung that causes bleeding and swelling inside the lung tissue, making it harder to breathe.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the lining around the lungs that causes sharp chest pain, especially when breathing deeply.

Pulmonary embolism

A blockage in a lung artery, usually caused by a blood clot that travels from the legs to the lungs.