Chapter 5 - Respiratory systems

acute respiratory distress syndrome

respiratory failure as a result of disease or injury, respiratory failure in an adult. symptoms include dyspnea, tachypnea, and cyanosis (adult respiratory distress syndrome)

asphyxia

deprivation of oxygen for tissue use; suffocation

asthma

respiratory disease characterized by coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, caused by constriction and inflammation of airways that is reversible between attacks

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

progressive lung disease obstructing air flow, which makes breathing difficult. chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema are the two main components of COPD. most are results is from cigarette smoking

coccidioidomycosis

fungal disease affecting the lungs and sometimes other organs of the body (valley fever)

coronavirus disease

respiratory infection caused by a virus with symptoms that include fever cough, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and digestive upset; disease course can range from mild to severe with the possibility of ARDS and multi-system organ failure

croup

condition resulting from acute obstruction of the larynx, characterized by a barking cough, hoarseness, and stridor. caused by viral or bacterial infection, allergy, or foreign body. mainly in children (laryngotracheobronchitis)

cystic fibrosis

hereditary disorder of the exocrine glands characterized by excess mucus production in the respiratory tract, pancreatic deficiency, and other symptoms

deviated septum

one part of the nasal cavity is smaller because of malformation or injury of the nasal septum

diphtheria

serious bacterial infection affecting the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. creates a thick, gray sheet covering the pharynx, can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, and even death. rare in developed countries due to widespread vaccination against the disease

emphysema

loss of elasticity of the alveoli resulting in distention causing stretching of the lung. the body does not receive enough oxygen

epistaxis

nosebleed

idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

chronic progressive lung disorder characterized by increasing scarring, which ultimately reduces the capacity of the lungs; etiology unknown. affects adults over 50. smoking, pollutants, and heredity. symptoms - exertional dyspnea & dry cough. lung transplant indicated in severe cases (no cure)

influenza (flu)

highly contagious and often severe viral infection of the respiratory tract

obstructive sleep apnea

repetitive pharyngeal collapse during sleep, leads to transient periods of apnea; day time drowsiness and elevated blood pressure

pertussis

highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract characterized by a severe hacking cough, followed by an acute crowing inspiration, or whoop. affects infants too young to be vaccinated and adults whose immunity to the vaccine has faded

pleural effusion

fluid in the pleural cavity caused by a disease process or trauma

pulmonary edema

fluid accumulation in the alveoli and bronchioles, often a manifestation of heart failure

pulmonary embolism

matter foreign to the circulation, carried to the pulmonary artery and its branches where it blocks circulation to the lungs and can be fatal if of sufficient size or number. blood clots broken loose from the deep veins of the lower extremities are the most common cause of this

tuberculosis

infectious bacteria disease, most commonly spread pf inhalation of small particles and usually affecting the lungs; may spread to other organs

upper respiratory infection

infection of the nasal cavity, pharynx, or larynx usually caused by a virus (cold)

chest computed tomography scan

computerized radiographic images of the chest performed to diagnose tumors, abscesses, and pleural effusion

chest radiograph

radiographic image of the chest performed to evaluate the lungs and the heart (chest-xray)

lung ventilation/perfusion scan

two nuclear scan tests, one to measure air flow throughout the lungs (ventilation), and one to measure circulation to all areas of the lungs (perfusion). help diagnose or rule out a pulmonary embolism

acid-fast bacilli

test performed on sputum to determine the presence of acid-fast bacilli which causes tuberculosis

arterial blood gas

test performed on arterial blood to determine levels of organ, carbon dioxide, and pH

peak flow meter

portable instrument used to measure air flow early in forced exhalation; helps monitor asthma and adjust medication accordingly

pulmonary function tests

group of tests performed to measure breathing capacity and used to determine external respiratory function; when abnormal, they are useful in distinguishing COPD from asthma. some tests involve the use of spirometer

pulse oximetry

noninvasive method of measuring oxygen in the blood by using a device that attaches to the fingertips

auscultation

act of listening through a stethoscope for sounds within the body which are abnormal. suggests abnormalities or disease; used for assessing and diagnosing conditions of the lungs, pleura, heart, arteries, and abdomen

percussion

tapping body surface to determine the density of the part beneath by the sound obtained. dull sound = displacement of air by fluid or solid waste in a body space

PPD skin test (purified protein derivative)

test performed on individual who may have been exposed to tuberculosis PPD of the tuberculin bacillus is injected intradermally. positive tests indicate previous exposure, no necessarily active tuberculosis

stethoscope

instrument used to heart internal body sounds; used for performing auscultation and blood pressure measurements

crackles

discontinuous sounds heard primarily with a stethoscope during inspiration that resemble the sound of rustling of cellophane; often heard at the base of the lung posteriorly in heart failure, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis (rales)

effusion

escape of fluid into tissue or body cavity

hyperventilation

ventilation of the lungs beyond normal body needs

hypoventilation

ventilation of the lungs that does not fulfill the body’s gas exchange needs

paroxysm

periodic, sudden attack

rhonchi

low-pitched, with a snoring quality, breath sounds heard with a stethoscope suggesting secretions in the large airways

stridor

harsh, high-pitched breath sound heard on inspiration; indicates an acute laryngeal obstruction

wheeze

whistling noise with a high pitch, caused by air flowing through narrowed airways. commonly associated with asthma and chronic bronchitis

bronchoconstrictor

agent causing narrowing of the bronchi

bronchodilator

agent causing the bronchi to widen

nebulizer

device that creates a mist used to deliver medication for giving respiratory treatment

ventilator

mechanical device used to assist with or substitute for breathing

mucopurulent

containing both mucus and pus

patent

open

sputum

mucus from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea expelled through the mouth

airway

passageway by which air enters and leaves the lungs as well as a mechanical device used to keep the air passageway unobstructed

aspirate

to withdraw fluid or suction fluid; also to draw foreign material into the respiratory tract

nosocomial infection

an infection acquired during hospitalization