Assessment of Respiratory System Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering respiratory anatomy, assessment techniques, adventitious breath sounds, diagnostic testing, and oxygen delivery systems based on Chapter 22.

Surfactant

A fatty protein that lines the alveoli and reduces alveolar surface tension to prevent atelectasis.

Atelectasis

The collapse of alveoli which impairs gas exchange.

Pulmonary Circulation

A highly vascular capillary network starting from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery and arterioles, where gas exchange occurs.

Bronchial Circulation

High-pressure systemic circulation that carries blood needed to oxygenate lung tissues but does not participate in gas exchange.

Orthopnea

An abnormal condition in which a person must sit or stand to breathe deeply or comfortably, often associated with current respiratory health problems.

Tactile Fremitus

A vibration felt on the chest wall during palpation of the lungs and thorax.

Crepitus

Air trapped under the skin that is felt during palpation of the lungs and thorax.

Bronchial/Tubular Breath Sounds

Harsh, hollow sounds heard over the trachea and mainstem bronchi.

Bronchovesicular Breath Sounds

Normal breath sounds heard over the branching bronchi.

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Soft rustling sounds heard in lung tissue over small bronchioles.

Fine Crackles (Rales)

Popping, discontinuous sounds caused by air moving into previously deflated airways; sounds like hair being rolled between fingers.

Coarse Crackles

Low-pitched, rattling sounds caused by fluid or secretions in large airways; likely to change with coughing or suctioning.

Rhonchi

Lower-pitched, coarse continuous snoring sounds arising from the large airways.

Wheeze

Squeaky, musical sounds associated with air rushing through narrowed airways; does not clear with coughing.

Pleural Friction Rub

Loud, rough, grating, scratching sounds caused by inflamed surfaces of the pleura rubbing together; associated with pain on inspiration.

Stridor

A continuous musical or crowing sound of constant pitch resulting from partial obstruction of the larynx or trachea from swelling, spasm, or mucus.

Pulse Oximetry

A noninvasive assessment that identifies oxygen saturation of hemoglobin; $95-100\%$ is normal, while $90\%$ requires intervention.

Capnometry and Capnography

A noninvasive assessment that measures carbon dioxide, with normal values between $35-45\,mm\,Hg$; more sensitive than pulse oximetry.

Bronchoscopy

Insertion of a tube into the airways to view structures, obtain samples (BAL), and perform interventions under sedation.

Thoracentesis

Needle aspiration of pleural fluid or air from the pleural space, often for lab testing or instilling drugs.

Bupropion

A prescription medication that decreases cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and reduces depression associated with nicotine withdrawal.

Varenicline

A prescription medication that reduces the pleasure of smoking by blocking nicotine receptors.

Hypoxemia

Defined as low $O_2$ levels in the blood.

Hypoxia

Defined as low $O_2$ levels in the tissues.

Simple Facemask

A low-flow delivery system providing $40\% - 60\%\,FiO_2$ with a minimum flow rate of $5\,L/min$.

Non-Rebreather Mask

A delivery system used for unstable patients that can deliver $>90\%\,FiO_2$ with a flow rate of $10-15\,L/min$.

Venturi Mask

A high-flow system that delivers the most accurate $O_2$ concentration without intubation using an adaptor to pull in room air.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure; delivers a set positive airway pressure throughout the entire respiratory cycle to open collapsed alveoli.

BiPAP

Bilevel positive airway pressure; delivers a set inspiratory positive airway pressure and a lower set end-expiratory pressure to improve tidal volume.