Lower Respiratory Tract Disorders Flashcards

Flashcards on Lower Respiratory Tract Disorders

Acute Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial tree, causing excess mucus production and congested airways, usually caused by a virus.

Bronchiectasis

Areas of dilation of the bronchial airways where the dilated areas become flabby and scarred, leading to pooled secretions and infection.

Dyspnea (in relation to Bronchiectasis)

Difficulty breathing that occurs if bronchiectasis is widespread throughout the lungs.

Chronic Cough (in relation to Bronchiectasis)

A loud and forceful symptom of bronchiectasis.

Copious and Purulent Sputum (in relation to Bronchiectasis)

Common symptom of bronchiectasis that may be bloody due to extreme airway inflammation.

Cor Pulmonale (in relation to Bronchiectasis)

Right-sided heart failure that can develop with chronic bronchiectasis due to increased pressure in the lungs.

Mucolytics and Expectorants (in relation to Bronchiectasis)

Medication used to loosen and mobilize secretions so they can be coughed up in Bronchiectasis.

Pneumonia

Acute inflammation or infection in the lungs of a susceptible person.

HAP = hospital acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia that develops at least 48 hours after a hospital admission.

HCAP = healthcare associated pneumonia

Pneumonia that develops in outpatient settings like nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, dialysis clinics, etc.

CAP = community acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia that develops in the community and is usually less serious than other forms.

Pulmonary infiltrate (in relation to Pneumonia)

Fluid leakage into the alveoli from inflammation.

Tuberculosis

Condition caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spread by inhalation of respiratory droplets.

Latent TB infection

TB infection without active disease, where the body keeps the infection under control.

Positive PPD (purified protein derivative) skin test

A raised area of induration that occurs within 48 to 72 hours of a PPD skin test that indicates TB.

Restrictive Respiratory Disorders

Lung conditions that limit the ability of the patient to expand his or her lungs and inhale air properly

Pleurisy/Pleuritis

Inflammation of visceral and parietal pleurae causing friction and sharp pain on inspiration, often caused by pneumonia, TB, lung cancer, or pulmonary embolisms.

Pleural friction rub

A sound heard on auscultation of a patient with pleuritis.

Pleural Effusion

Excess fluid collection in the pleural space that cannot be adequately reabsorbed.

Transudative fluid

Watery fluid from capillaries, associated with heart failure, liver, or kidney disease (in relation to pleural effusion).

Exudative fluid

Fluid containing WBCs and protein from inflammation or infection, associated with pneumonia, TB, or lung cancer (in relation to pleural effusion).

Thoracentesis

Procedure done to drain pleural effusion and collect fluid samples for testing.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Lung condition characterized by scarring and fibrosis (hardening) of lung tissue.

Atelectasis

Collapse of alveoli, most commonly occurring in postsurgical patients with ineffective coughing and deep breathing.

COPD

Group of pulmonary disorders characterized by difficulty exhaling due to narrowed or blocked airways.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic inflammation of the airways from inhaled irritants causing excessive thick mucus production.

Emphysema

Destruction of alveolar walls, loss of elastic recoil of the lungs, and damage to pulmonary capillaries.

Polycythemia (in relation to COPD)

Condition characterized by increased production of RBCs in response to chronic hypoxemia.

Cor Pulmonale (in relation to COPD)

Right-sided heart failure that develops as the heart works harder to pump blood to diseased lungs in COPD.

Diaphragmatic and Pursed-Lip breathing

Breathing technique that helps improve oxygenation and reduce anxiety in COPD patients.

Asthma

Chronic inflammation and edema of the mucosal lining of the airways and hyper-responsiveness of the bronchial smooth muscles (bronchospasm).

Status Asthmaticus

Severe, sustained bronchospasm with worsening hypoxemia, and respiratory acidosis, the latter of which can lead to respiratory failure and death if untreated.

Cystic Fibrosis

Exocrine gland disorder primarily affecting the lungs, GI tract, and sweat glands with thick, tenacious secretions.

Sweat Chloride Test

Test that Determines whether sweat is high in sodium and chloride; indicative of CF.

Pancrelipase (Pancrease, Viokase)

Pancreatic enzyme replacement medication used to treat Cystic Fibrosis.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Blood clot that has traveled into a pulmonary artery, obstructing blood flow and impairing gas exchange.

D-Dimer

Blood test that, if positive, suggests a possible PE.

Pneumothorax

Condition when air has entered the pleural space.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax that occurs if no injury is present, often found in tall, thin individuals and smokers.

Traumatic Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax caused by penetrating trauma to the chest wall and parietal pleura.

Tension Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax that is closed, with air and tension building up in the pleural space without escape, leading to mediastinal shift and decreased cardiac output.

Heart and vessels are compressed and pushed away from the affected side of the chest

Mediastinal shift occurs in tension pneumothorax and it is when this happens.

Hemothorax

Presence of blood in the pleural space.