Comprehensive Nursing Review: Cellular Regulation, Gas Exchange, Thermoregulation, Acid-Base Balance, and Respiratory Pharmacology

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell biology, anemias, COPD, pneumonia, asthma, thermoregulation disorders, acid-base imbalances, and respiratory pharmacology.

Cellular Regulation

Encompasses all functions carried out in the cells to maintain homeostasis, including their responses to extracellular signals such as hormones, cytokines, and neurotransmitters, and the way each cell produces an intracellular response.

Hypertrophy

An increase in tissue size caused by the enlargement of existing cells rather than an increase in cell number.

Hyperplasia

An increase in tissue size caused by an increased total number of cells.

Euploidy

The state of having a normal, well-regulated chromosome count within a cell.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs as a normal and controlled part of cellular regulation and tissue maintenance.

C.A.U.T.I.O.N. Mnemonic

An acronym listing warning signs of abnormal cellular regulation and cancer: Changes in bowel/bladder, A sore that doesn't heal, Unusual bleeding/discharge, Thickening of a lump, Indigestion/swallowing difficulty, Obvious changes in wart/mole, Nagging cough/hoarseness.

Anemia

A clinical indicator marked by a reduction in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hgb), or hematocrit (Hct), reflecting various underlying pathology.

Sickle Cell Disease

A genetic blood disorder in which conditions of low tissue oxygen concentration cause red blood cells containing HbS to sickle, clump together, and occlude small blood vessels.

Protease

Enzymes present in healthy lungs to eliminate inhaled particulates; when present in higher-than-normal levels, they damage alveoli and small airways, causing loss of tissue elasticity.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A progressive respiratory condition comprising emphysema and chronic bronchitis that leads to chronic airflow limitation and impaired gas exchange.

Emphysema

A pulmonary disorder characterized by two major structural changes: loss of lung elasticity and hyperinflation of the lungs, leading to severe dyspnea and increased respiratory rate.

Chronic Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles caused by irritants, leading to mucosal edema, bronchospasm, and hypersecretion of thick mucus that narrows airways, resulting in decreased $\text{PaO}_2$ and increased $\text{PaCO}_2$.

Cor Pulmonale

Right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary disease and persistent pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Tripod Position

A physical posture where the patient sits leaning forward with arms and elbows supported on an overbed table or knees, used to relieve moderate-to-severe respiratory distress.

Pneumonia

An excess of fluid in the lungs resulting from an inflammatory response triggered by infectious organisms or irritating agents, leading to local capillary leak, alveolar edema, and exudate.

Empyema

A collection of pus within the pleural cavity, often resulting from the spread of a pulmonary infection.

Atelectasis

The collapse of alveolar air sacs in the lungs, impairing normal gas exchange.

Status Asthmaticus

A severe, life-threatening acute asthma episode that intensifies rapidly and fails to respond to usual therapy, characterized by extremely labored breathing, wheezing, and neck vein distention.

Nonrebreather Mask

A low-flow oxygen mask with a reservoir bag and one-way valves that prevents room air diluted inhalation, delivering an $\text{FiO}_2$ greater than $90\%$ at high flow rates of $10\text{ to }15\,\text{L/min}$.

Thermoregulation

The physiological process of maintaining the core body temperature at a nearly constant value.

Normothermia

The state of normal core body temperature, defined as ranging between $36.5^\circ\text{C}\text{ and }37.2^\circ\text{C}$.

Hyperpyrexia

An extreme elevation in core body temperature exceeding $41.5^\circ\text{C}$.

Hypothermia

A subnormal core body temperature below $36.0^\circ\text{C}$, classified as mild ($34^\circ\text{C}-36^\circ\text{C}$), moderate ($30^\circ\text{C}-34^\circ\text{C}$), or severe ($<30^\circ\text{C}$).

Hypothalamus

The neural thermostat in the brain responsible for regulating body temperature through mechanisms such as sweating, shivering, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction.

Exophthalmos

Abnormal forward protrusion or bulging of the eyeballs, characteristic of hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease.

Goiter

An abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland seen in disorders such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Myxedema

A mucinous non-pitting edema that occurs in severe hypothyroidism, presenting as dry, waxy, puffy swelling around the eyes and face.

Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by respiratory impairment and hypoventilation leading to $\text{CO}_2$ retention, defined as $\text{pH} < 7.35$ and $\text{PaCO}_2 > 45\,\text{mmHg}$.

Respiratory Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by hyperventilation and excessive elimination of $\text{CO}_2$, defined as $\text{pH} > 7.45$ and $\text{PaCO}_2 < 35\,\text{mmHg}$.

Metabolic Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by excess metabolic acid accumulation, loss of bicarbonate, or renal failure, defined as $\text{pH} < 7.35$ and $\text{HCO}_3^- < 21\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Metabolic Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by loss of gastric acid or excess bicarbonate retention, defined as $\text{pH} > 7.45$ and $\text{HCO}_3^- > 28\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Allen's Test

A required nursing assessment done prior to arterial puncture for ABGs to evaluate collateral circulation through the radial and ulnar arteries.

Acidosis-Hyperkalemia Relationship

The physiological shift where excess extracellular hydrogen ions ($\text{H}^+$) enter cells, forcing potassium ions ($\text{K}^+$) out into the extracellular blood space to maintain electrical neutrality, leading to elevated serum potassium.

Albuterol

A short-acting rescue bronchodilator that relaxes smooth muscle to improve airflow; expected side effects include tachycardia, palpitations, and tremors.

Ipratropium

An inhaled anticholinergic agent that blocks muscarinic receptors to cause bronchodilation; contraindicated in narrow-angle glaucoma and urinary retention.

Methylprednisolone

A systemic corticosteroid that reduces capillary permeability and alveolar edema to improve gas exchange; common side effects include insomnia, fluid retention, mood changes, and increased appetite.

Prednisone

An oral corticosteroid that inhibits inflammation; must never be stopped abruptly to prevent acute adrenal insufficiency, and requires laboratory monitoring of glucose and potassium.

Dexamethasone

A high-potency corticosteroid that suppresses immunity and reduces airway swelling; requires monitoring for hypokalemia, infection, and gastrointestinal bleeding (black, tarry stools).

Amoxicillin

A broad-spectrum penicillin-class antibiotic that kills bacteria; contraindicated in patients with known penicillin or beta-lactam hypersensitivity and infectious mononucleosis.

Diphenhydramine

A first-generation antihistamine used for allergic responses and prevention or reversal of pulmonary edema; causes notable side effects of drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness.

Guaifenesin

An expectorant medication that thins and loosens respiratory secretions to make coughs more productive; requires high non-caffeinated fluid intake for optimal effectiveness.