emt ch 11 respiratory

aerobic metabolism

metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of o2

aerosol generating procedure

any airway manipulation that induces the production of aerosols that may present a risk for airborne transmission pathogens like CPR

agonal gasps

abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow gasping breaths, sometimes seen in pts in cardiac arrest

airway

upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth and throat

alveolar minute volume

the volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 min minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate

alveolar ventilation

the volume of air that reaches the alveoli. it is determined by subtracting the amount of dead spaceair from the tidal volume

american standard safety system

a safety system for large o2 cylinders, designed to prevent the accidental attachment of a regulator to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas

anaerobic metabolism

the metabolism that takes place in the absence of o2; the main by product is lactic acid

apnea

absence of spontaneous breathing

apneic oxygenation

a technique in which o2 administered via a high flow nasal cannula is left in place during an intubation attempt, allowing for continuous o2 delivery into the airways during all phases of the procedure

aspiration

in the context of the airway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs

ataxic respirations

irregular ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern

automatic transport ventilator ATV

a ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. it frees ths EMT to perform other tasks while the pt is being ventilated

bag mask device

a device with a one way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; when attached to a reservoir and connected to o2 it delivers more than 90% supplemental o2

barrier device

a protectie item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to pt’s body fluids

bilateral

a body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline

bronchioles

subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli

capnography

a noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a pts ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism. it effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time

capnometry

the use of a capnometer, a device that measures the amount of expired co2

carnia

point at which the trachea bifurcates (divides) into the left and right main stem bronchi

chemoreceptors

monitor the levels of o2, co2 and pH of the CSF and then provide feedback to the respiratory centers to modify the rate and depth of breathing based on the body’s needs at any given time

cheyne-stokes respirations

a cyclical pattern of abnormal breathing that increases and then decreases in rate and depth, followed by a period of apnea

compliance

the ability of the alveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalation

continuous positive airway pressure cpap

method of ventilation used in tx of critically ill pts with respiratory distress; can prevent the need to et tube intubation

dead space

any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi

denitrogenation

the process of replacing nitrogen in the lungs with o2 to maintain a normal o2 sat level during advanced airway management

diffusion

movement of gas from an area of high concentration to lower concentraion

direct laryngoscopy

visualization of the airway with a laryngoscope

dyspnea

shortness of breath sob

endotracheal ET intubation

insertion of an endotracheal tube directly through the larynx between the vocal cords and into the trachea to maintain and protect an airway

end tidal co2

the amount of co2 present at the end of an exhaled breath

esophageal intubation

improper placement of an advanced airways device into the esophagus rather than into the trachea

exhalaiton

passive part of breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs

external respiration

the exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood cells in the pulmonary capillaries also called pulmonary respiration

gag reflex

a normal reflex mechanism that causes retching; activated by touching the soft palate or back of the throat

gastric distention

a condition in which air fills the stomach, often as a result of high volume and pressure during arifiical ventilation

glottis

the space between the vocal cords that is he narrowest portion of the adult’s ariway, also called the glottic opening

good air exchange

a term used to distinguish the degree of distress in a pt with a mild airway obstruction. with good air exchange, the pt is still conscious and able to cough forcefully, although wheezing may be heard

gum elastic bougie

a flexible device that is inserted between the glottis under direct laryngoscopy; the endotracheal tube is threaded over the device, facilitating its entry into the trachea

head tilt chin lift maneuver

a combination of two movements to open the airway by tilting the forehead back and lifting the chin; not used for trauma pts

hemothroax

a collection of blood in the plural cavity

hypercarbia

increased co2 level in the bloodstream

hypoxia

deficient o2 concentration in the tissues

hypoxic drive

a “backup system” to control respiration; senses drops in the o2 level in the blood

inhalaiton

the active musular part of breathing that draws air into the airway and lungs

internal respiration

the exchange of gases etween the blood cells and the tissues