Respiratory Support and Therapies

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to respiratory support, artificial airways, suctioning procedures, mechanical ventilation, and chest tube management.

Patent

A condition where the airway is open and unblocked.

Intubation

The process of inserting an artificial airway.

Oropharyngeal airway

An artificial airway inserted through the mouth and into the pharynx.

Endotracheal (ET) tube

An artificial airway inserted through the mouth or nose and into the trachea, often held in place by an inflated cuff.

Tracheostomy tube

An artificial airway inserted through a surgically created opening into the trachea.

Tracheostomy

A surgically created opening into the trachea that can be temporary or permanent.

Obturator

A part of a tracheostomy tube used to guide the insertion of the outer cannula.

Inner cannula

The part of a tracheostomy tube that is inserted and locked in place inside the outer cannula.

Outer cannula

The stable part of a tracheostomy tube that is not removed.

Extubation

The event of an artificial tube coming out of the airway opening.

Stoma

The surgically created opening for a tracheostomy into which nothing must enter to prevent aspiration.

Suction

The process of withdrawing or sucking up fluid and secretions from the airway.

Oropharyngeal suctioning

A route of suctioning where the mouth and pharynx are cleared of secretions.

Nasopharyngeal suctioning

A route of suctioning where the nose and pharynx are cleared of secretions.

Hyperventilated

The process of giving extra breaths, often using an Ambu bag, before suctioning an ET or tracheostomy tube.

Ambu bag

A device attached to an oxygen source and squeezed with both hands to deliver breaths to a person.

Mechanical ventilation

Using a machine to move air into and out of the lungs for persons with health problems like weak muscle effort or damaged lung tissue.

Pleural space

The sac or cavity where air, blood, or fluid can collect when the chest is entered due to injury or surgery.

Pneumothorax

The collection of air in the pleural space.

Hemothorax

The collection of blood in the pleural space.

Pleural effusion

The escape and collection of fluid in the pleural space.

Water-seal drainage

A drainage system method that keeps the chest tube system airtight.

Hypoxia

A condition resulting from inadequate oxygenation where $O_2$ and $CO_2$ are not properly exchanged.