Ch27-28. Chest/ Abdomen / Gent / Renal Vocab

Aortic Tamponade

Aortic Tamponade

Compression of the heart due to a buildup of blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac.

Bradypnea

Slow Respirations

Closed Chest injury

An injury to the chest in which the skin is not broken, usually due to blunt trauma.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

Emphysema

A chronic lung disease in which air sacs and the surrounding lung tissues are destroyed.

Flail chest

A condition in which 2 or more ribs are fractured in 2 or more places or in association w/a fracture of the sternum so that a segment of chest wall is effectively detached from the rest of the thoracic cage.

Flutter Valve

A dressing that allows air to leave the chest cavity but not return; formed by taping 3 sides of an occlusive dressing to the chest wall, leaving the 4th side open.

Hemoptysis

The spitting or coughing up of blood.

Hemothorax

A collection of blood in the pleural (lung) cavity.

Myocardial Contusion

A bruise of the heart muscle.

Occlusive Dressing

A dressing made of Vaseline gauze, aluminum foil, or plastic that prevents air & liquids from entering or exiting a wound.

Open Chest Injury

An injury to the chest in which the chest wall itself is penetrated, by a fractured rib or, more frequently, by an external object such as a bullet or knife.

Paradoxical Motion

The detached portion of the chest wall moves opposite of normal so instead of the chest wall moving out during inhalation it moves inward.

Pericardial Tamponade

When fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac compressing the heart and leading to a decrease in cardiac output and shock.

Pericardium

The outer most, fibrous sac that surrounds the heart.

Pneumothorax

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity.

Pulmonary Contusion

A bruise to the lung.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blockage of the pulmonary artery (or one of its branches), usually when a venous thrombus becomes dislodged.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax that occurs when a weak area on the lung ruptures in the absence of major injury, allowing air to leak into the pleural space.

Sucking Chest Wound

An open or penetrating chest wall wound through which air passes during inspiration & expiration, creating a sucking sound.

Tachypnea

Rapid respirations

Tension Pneumothorax

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity that progressively increases the pressure in the chest w/potentially fatal results.

Uterus

(aka the womb) lies b/w the bladder & rectum; expels fetus w/ contractions, forms placenta, sheds unused endometrium during menstruation.

Urethra

Tube that extends from the bladder to outer body that eliminates urine

Ureters

Supine Hypotensive Syndrome

A drop in blood pressure caused when the heavy uterus of a face up lying patient in the third trimester of pregnancy obstructs the vena cava, decreasing blood return to the heart.

Stomach

C-shaped, baglike organ that expands to store food & is found on the left side of the abdominal cavity. Its functions include food storage, mixing, physical & chemical breakdown of food & controlled release of chyme. (can hold about 1 gallon of food)

Spleen

(a type of lymphoid organ) is a blood-rich organ that filters blood & is located in the left side of the abdominal cavity & extends to curl around the anterior aspect of the stomach. It’s most important function is to destroy worn-out red blood cells & return some of their breakdown products to the liver.

Solid Organs

Solid masses of tissue where much of the chemical work of the body takes place. Ex the liver, spleen, pancreas, & kidneys.

Retroperitoneal Cavity

The retroperitoneal cavity is a space located behind the peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. It is situated between the posterior abdominal wall and the peritoneum.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum

Peritoneal Cavity

(The abdominal cavity) a space in the abdominal cavity that contains organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines.

Pancreas

Located partially behind the stomach in the abdomen. It produces an enzyme-rich juices which are ducted into the small intestine to aid in digestion. It also produces glucagon which increases blood glucose levels & insulin which lowers blood glucose levels.

Ovaries

Female internal sex gland that secretes estrogen & other hormones that stimulate secondary sex characteristics.

Open Abdominal Injury

An injury of the abdomen caused by a penetrating or piercing instrument or force, in which the skin is lacerated or perforated & the cavity is opened to the atmosphere; also called penetrating injury.

Liver

The largest gland in the body, on the RUQ; & has 4 lobes. It produces bile

Kidney

They produces urine, excrete nitrogenous wastes, maintain blood volume by regulating the amount of water excreted, monitor blood composition by regulating electrolyte excretion.

Hollow Organs

Structures through which materials pass, such as the stomach, small & large intestines, ureters, bladder.

Hematuria

Blood in the urine

Guarding

Contracting the stomach muscles to minimize the pain of abdominal movement; a sign of peritonitis

Gallbladder

A small, thin-walled green sac that stores bile & removes excess water from bile.

Evisceration

The displacement of organs outside of the body.

Closed Abdominal Injury

Any injury of the abdomen caused by a non-penetrating instrument or force, in which the skin remains intact; also called blunt abdominal injury.

Appendix

3” long finger like attachment to the cecum that contains lymphoid tissues & serves immunity functions.

Adrenal Glands

Almond shaped glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They are part of the sympathetic nervous system secreting epinephrine & norepinephrine.