Nursing 52A: Oxygenation and Circulation Vocabulary

A set of key vocabulary flashcards covering oxygenation, ventilation, perfusion, cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, assessment findings, and diagnostic parameters from Nursing 52A.

Ventilation

The process of moving gas into and out of the lungs to supply adequate $O_2$ to meet body demands and exhale metabolically produced $CO_2$

Perfusion

Relates to the ability of the cardiovascular system to pump oxygenated blood to the tissues and return deoxygenated blood to the lungs

Diffusion (Pulmonary)

The movement of $O_2$ from the atmosphere into the blood and $CO_2$ into the alveoli via the alveolar capillary membrane down a pressure gradient

Diaphragm

The major inspiratory muscle of respiration, innervated by the phrenic nerve ($C_3$, $C_4$, $C_5$)

Alveoli

Air-filled sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs, expanding during inspiration to increase surface area for gas exchange across the alveolar capillary membrane

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood pumped by the heart in one minute, calculated as heart rate times stroke volume ($\text{HR} \times \text{SV}$)

Bradypnea

Rate of breathing is regular but abnormally slow (less than $12\,\text{breaths/min}$)

Tachypnea

Rate of breathing is regular but abnormally rapid (greater than $20\,\text{breaths/min}$)

Hyperpnea

Respirations are labored, increased in depth, and increased in rate (greater than $20\,\text{breaths/min}$); occurs normally during exercise

Apnea

Respirations cease for several seconds; persistent cessation results in respiratory arrest

Hyperventilation

Rate and depth of respirations increase; hypocarbia sometimes occurs

Hypoventilation

Respiratory rate is abnormally low, and depth of ventilation is depressed; hypercarbia sometimes occurs

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Respiratory rate and depth are irregular, characterized by alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation, beginning with slow, shallow breaths that gradually increase in rate and depth before reversing

Kussmaul's respiration

Respirations are abnormally deep, regular, and increased in rate

Biot's respiration

Respirations are abnormally shallow for two to three breaths, followed by an irregular period of apnea

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Soft, breezy, and low-pitched normal breath sounds best heard over the periphery of the lung, where the inspiratory phase is $3$ times longer than the expiratory phase

Bronchovesicular Breath Sounds

Blowing, medium-pitched, and medium-intensity normal breath sounds where the inspiratory phase is equal to the expiratory phase

Bronchial Breath Sounds

Loud and high-pitched breath sounds with a hollow quality heard only over the trachea, where expiration lasts longer than inspiration ($3:2$ ratio)

Crackles

Adventitious breath sounds caused by random, sudden reinflation of groups of alveoli or disruptive passage of air through small airways, most common in dependent lobes

Rhonchi (sonorous wheeze)

Loud, low-pitched, rumbling, coarse adventitious sounds heard primarily over the trachea and bronchi caused by muscular spasm, fluid, or mucus in larger airways

Wheezes (sibilant wheeze)

High-pitched, continuous musical sounds like a squeak heard over all lung fields caused by high-velocity airflow through severely narrowed or obstructed airways

Pleural friction rub

Dry, rubbing, or grating adventitious breath sound heard during inspiration or expiration caused by inflamed parietal pleura rubbing against visceral pleura

P.A.T.C.H.E.S.

A physical assessment mnemonic representing Pulse, Appearance, Temperature, Capillary Refill, Hardness, Edema, and Sensation

Pitting Edema

Fluid accumulation in tissues assessed by depth of depression left after pressure, measured from $1+$ ($2\,\text{mm}$) to $4+$ ($8\,\text{mm}$)

Systolic Blood Pressure

Peak of maximum pressure exerted on the arterial walls during ventricular contraction and ejection of blood

Diastolic Blood Pressure

Pressure exerted on the arterial walls while the ventricles are relaxing and filling

Pulse Pressure

The numeric difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure ($\text{Systolic} - \text{Diastolic}$)

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

An arterial blood sample used as the gold standard to assess acid/base balance and adequacy of oxygenation

Incentive Spirometry

A device that encourages deep breathing using visual feedback, used $5\text{--}10$ times every hour while awake for patients with or at risk for atelectasis

Radiation (Heat Distribution)

Transfer of heat from one surface to another surface without direct contact

Conduction (Heat Distribution)

Transfer of heat from the body to an object or surface in direct physical contact with it

Convection (Heat Distribution)

Transfer of heat away from a surface by movement of air or liquid

Evaporation (Heat Distribution)

Transfer of heat energy when liquid on the body surface is converted to gas

Elements of Blood

Components of blood consisting of plasma (about $55\%$), red blood cells (about $41\%$), white blood cells (about $4\%$), and platelets ($0.01$)

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A graphic recording of electrical conduction and cardiac cycle stages in the heart across time