Oxygenation, Respiratory Conditions, and Pharmacology Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering pharmacology for anxiety/respiratory issues, definitions of abnormal breathing patterns and lung sounds, and overviews of asthma, COPD, RSV, and TB based on lecture notes.

Chlordiazepoxide

A benzodiazepine derivative used for anxiety, sedation, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures; it may result in toxic build-up in older adults and carries a potential for physiological addiction.

Midazolam

A CNS depressant used for preoperative sedation and conscious sedation for endoscopic procedures; adverse effects include retrograde amnesia, euphoria, and respiratory depression.

Buspirone

An anxiolytic particularly useful for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) that requires $\ge 3$ weeks to be effective and has no abuse potential.

Apnea

A temporary cessation of breathing.

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

A breathing pattern characterized by slow, heavier breathing followed by seconds of normal breathing; often seen with brain injury and death.

Dyspnea

Difficult, labored, or painful breathing.

Hyperpnea

Abnormally deep breathing that may be seen with fever or metabolic acidosis.

Kussmaul respirations (air hunger)

A marked increase in the depth and rate of breathing; often caused by diabetic ketoacidosis or metabolic acidosis as the body attempts to blow off $CO_2$.

Orthopnea

The inability to breathe except when the trunk is in an upright position.

Paradoxical respirations

A breathing pattern in which a lung or portion of a lung deflates during inspiration, acting opposite to normal.

Fine crackles

Popping sounds heard mostly on late inspiration that originate in the alveoli and sound like rubbing hair.

Sibilant wheeze

High-pitched, musical sounds similar to a squeak, associated with the narrowing of small airways such as in asthma.

Sonorous wheeze

Low-pitched, coarse, loud, moaning/snoring sounds arising from large airways that may clear with coughing.

Stridor

Harsh, high-pitched sounds heard over the trachea associated with upper airway inflammation and partial obstruction.

Asthma

A heterogenous disease usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation leading to airway hyperresponsiveness, mucosal edema, and mucus production.

Status Asthmaticus

An acute, persistent exacerbation of asthma that remains unresponsive to initial treatment with bronchodilators and can lead to respiratory failure.

Spirometry

The recommended test to confirm asthma which measures the amount and rate of airflow during forceful exhalation into a mouthpiece.

Peak Flow Meter

A device used to track asthma at home by measuring the rate at which a patient can force air out of the lungs; not used for diagnosis.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A preventable and treatable slowly progressive airflow obstruction involving the airways and lung tissue, often including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema

A form of COPD involving the overinflation of alveoli resulting in the destruction of alveolar walls.

Chronic bronchitis

A condition characterized by the inflammation of bronchi with a productive cough for a long term.

Barrel chest

A physical sign of COPD caused by the chronic hyperinflation of the lungs.

Pursed-lip breathing

A breathing exercise where the patient breathes in through the nose and out through pursed lips, where exhalation is twice as long as inspiration.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

A highly contagious virus spread through respiratory droplets that causes cold-like symptoms and poses a high risk to infants and older adults.

Palivizumab

A medication used to prevent serious lung disease caused by RSV.

Thoracentesis

A procedure to remove fluid from the pleural space; if the needle nicks the lung, it can cause a pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax

The collapse of a lung due to the presence of air in the pleural space.

Hemothorax

A collection of blood in the pleural space, often caused by injury or chest surgery.

Incentive Spirometer

A device used to maximize inspiration and mobilize secretions; patients are typically encouraged to do 10 sustained maximal maneuvers per hour.

Mantoux test (PPD)

A TB skin test where purified protein derivative is given intradermally; an induration of $15\,mm$ or greater is considered positive for most clients.

Isoniazid (INH)

A first-line antitubercular medication that can cause toxic hepatitis and peripheral neuritis; Pyridoxine ($B_6$) is often given as prophylaxis for neuritis.

Normal pH range

$7.35 - 7.45$; values below this range indicate acidosis, and values above indicate alkalosis.

Normal $CO_2$ range

$35 - 45\,mmHG$; this value represents the respiratory component of acid-base balance.

Normal $HCO_3$ (Bicarbonate) range

$22 - 26\,mEq/L$; this value represents the metabolic/kidney component of acid-base balance.