Respiratory Therapy Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental clinical assessments, vital sign thresholds, physical exam findings, and respiratory terminology from the study notes.

Social Space

The ideal distance of $4$ to $12$ feet at which a clinician introduces themselves to a patient.

Personal Space

The ideal distance of $2$ to $4$ feet for interviewing a patient.

Classic Vital Signs

The four clinical measurements (temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure) used to provide a first clue to adverse reactions to treatment.

Tachycardia

A medical term defining an adult heart rate greater than $100$ beats per minute.

Bradycardia

A medical term defining an adult heart rate less than $60$ beats per minute.

Eupnea

A medical term describing a normal rate and depth of breathing.

Tachypnea

The medical term for an abnormally rapid rate of breathing.

Bradypnea

The medical term for a respiratory rate that is less than normal.

Apnea

A clinical indication defined by the absence of spontaneous ventilation.

Hypopnea

A breathing pattern defined as a decreased depth of breathing.

Hyperpnea

A breathing pattern involving an increased depth of breathing with or without an increased rate.

Adult Hypertension

A blood pressure threshold defined as greater than $140/90\,\text{mmHg}$.

Hypotension

A condition defined as a blood pressure less than $90/60\,\text{mmHg}$ or a mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than $65\,\text{mmHg}$.

Systolic Pressure

The pressure recorded when the first pulse sounds are heard through the stethoscope during blood pressure measurement.

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure recorded when pulse sounds become too faint to hear during blood pressure measurement.

PERRLA

An acronym used to describe pupils that are equal, round, reactive to light, and accommodation.

Mydriasis

The medical term for dilated pupils.

Miosis

The medical term for pinpoint pupils.

Ptosis

A clinical sign referring to drooping of the upper eyelid.

Central Cyanosis

Cyanosis of the oral mucosa that usually indicates respiratory failure due to low oxygen levels.

Oriented $\times 3$

A mental status finding indicating awareness of time, person, and place.

Glasgow Coma Score (GCS)

An objective scale used to evaluate a patient's level of consciousness based on eye, verbal, and motor responses.

Barrel Chest

An abnormal increase in the anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the thorax.

Scoliosis

A spinal deformity characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine.

Kyphosis

A spinal deformity defined by an abnormal anteroposterior (AP) curvature of the spine.

Kyphoscoliosis

A spinal deformity defined as a combination of kyphosis and scoliosis.

Pectus Carinatum

A thoracic condition describing an abnormal protrusion of the sternum.

Pectus Excavatum

A thoracic condition describing a depression or 'scooped' portion of the sternum.

Tactile Fremitus

Vibrations of the chest wall felt by the examiner during palpation.

Lung Consolidation

A clinical condition causing increased tactile fremitus due to the replacement of air with inflammatory exudate, blood, or pus.

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Normal breath sounds heard over the lung periphery during auscultation.

Crackles

Discontinuous adventitious lung sounds described as intermittent crackling or bubbling.

Wheezes

Continuous, musical lung sounds produced as air flows through constricted airways.

Stridor

A high-pitched, musical sound heard over the upper airway indicating a compromised airway.

$$S_1$$

The heart sound created by the closure of the AV valves at the beginning of systole.

$$S_2$$

The heart sound created by the closure of the semilunar valves at the end of systole.

Gallop Rhythm

An abnormal heart rhythm present when an adult patient has both $S_3$ and $S_4$ sounds.

Digital Clubbing

An enlargement of the distal phalanges associated with chronic hypoxemia.

Biot's Breathing

A breathing pattern characterized by rapid gasps with short pauses between sets.

Cheyne-Stokes Breathing

A breathing pattern involving an increase and decrease in respirations followed by periods of apnea.

Kussmaul's Breathing

A breathing pattern characterized by tachypnea and hyperpnea.

Apneustic Breathing

An abnormal breathing pattern characterized by prolonged inspiration followed by shortened expiration.

Paradoxical Pulse

A drop in pulse amplitude specifically during inspiration.

Egophony

An increased intensity and clarity of voice sounds during chest auscultation where 'E' sounds like 'A'.