Diagnostic Assessment of Clients with Oxygenation Problems – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering common symptoms, assessment findings, breathing patterns, adventitious sounds, diagnostic tests, imaging, endoscopic procedures, oxygen delivery systems, therapeutic interventions, ABG interpretation, and chest drainage concepts related to the diagnostic assessment of clients with oxygenation problems.

Dyspnea

Subjective sensation of difficult or labored breathing.

Cough

Protective reflex that clears the airways of secretions or irritants.

Sputum Production

Expectoration of mucus or phlegm from the respiratory tract.

Chest Pain (Respiratory)

Discomfort in the thorax often associated with pleuritic inflammation or cardiac issues.

Wheezing

High-pitched musical sound caused by airway narrowing.

Hemoptysis

Expectoration of blood or blood-streaked sputum from the lungs.

Clubbing of Fingers

Bulbous enlargement of distal phalanges due to chronic hypoxemia.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of skin/mucosa from inadequate oxygenation.

Schamroth Sign

Loss of diamond-shaped window between nail beds indicating clubbing.

Phalangeal Depth Ratio

Measurement comparing distal and inter-phalangeal depths to detect clubbing.

Barrel Chest

Increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest often seen in COPD.

Pectus Carinatum

Anterior protrusion of the sternum (pigeon chest).

Pectus Excavatum

Posterior depression of the sternum (funnel chest).

Kyphosis

Exaggerated posterior curvature of the thoracic spine.

Scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine that can affect lung expansion.

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored breathing at 14-20 breaths/min.

Bradypnea

Respiratory rate <10 breaths/min with regular rhythm.

Tachypnea

Rapid, shallow breathing >24 breaths/min.

Hypoventilation

Shallow, irregular respirations causing CO₂ retention.

Hyperpnea

Increased depth of respirations with normal rate.

Hyperventilation

Increased rate and depth leading to decreased PaCO₂; called Kussmaul when diabetic ketoacidosis related.

Apnea

Complete cessation of breathing for variable periods.

Cheyne–Stokes Respiration

Cyclic crescendo-decrescendo breathing followed by apnea.

Biot’s Respiration

Irregular breathing with variable apnea; also called ataxic.

Prolonged Expiration

Lengthened expiratory phase seen in obstructive disorders.

Crackles (Rales)

Soft, discontinuous popping sounds from fluid or collapsed alveoli.

Coarse Crackles

Harsh moist sounds in early inspiration from large bronchi.

Fine Crackles

Hair-like rubbing sounds in late inspiration from alveoli.

Wheezes (General)

Continuous musical sounds from oscillating narrowed airways.

Sonorous Wheezes (Rhonchi)

Low-pitched rumbling during expiration caused by secretions or tumor.

Sibilant Wheezes

High-pitched whistle-like sounds from bronchospasm or obstruction.

Pleural Friction Rub

Harsh, leathery crackle from inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

Measure lung volumes, mechanics, diffusion, gas exchange for chronic respiratory diagnosis.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

Analysis of arterial pH, PaO₂, PaCO₂, HCO₃⁻ to assess oxygenation and acid-base status.

Pulse Oximetry

Non-invasive monitoring of hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO₂ >95% normal).

Respiratory ROME Rule

Respiratory Opposite – pH and PaCO₂ move in opposite directions.

Metabolic ROME Rule

Metabolic Equal – pH and HCO₃⁻ move in same direction.

Uncompensated ABG

One value normal, pH abnormal; no physiological correction yet.

Partially Compensated ABG

All three values abnormal; body attempting to correct pH but not yet normal.

Fully Compensated ABG

pH normalized while PaCO₂ and HCO₃⁻ remain abnormal.

Chest X-ray (CXR)

Radiographic image detecting fluid, tumors, foreign bodies; taken on full inspiration.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Layered cross-sectional imaging; contraindicated with iodine allergy, pregnancy, severe claustrophobia.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Detailed images via magnetic fields; contraindicated with metal implants or severe claustrophobia.

Fluoroscopic Study

Real-time moving X-ray aiding invasive respiratory procedures.

Pulmonary Angiography

Radiopaque dye study of pulmonary vasculature for congenital or embolic disease.

Bronchoscopy

Endoscopic visualization of larynx, trachea, bronchi for diagnosis or secretion removal.

Thoracoscopy

Endoscopic examination of pleural cavity for biopsy, effusion management, tumor staging.

Thoracentesis

Needle aspiration of pleural fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Respiratory Biopsy

Excision of small tissue samples from respiratory tract or lymph nodes.

Oxygen Therapy

Administration of O₂ at higher concentration than ambient to improve oxygen transport.

Low-Flow Oxygen System

Device mixing O₂ with room air (e.g., nasal cannula, simple mask, partial rebreather).

High-Flow Oxygen System

Device delivering precise FiO₂ independent of patient pattern (e.g., non-rebreather, Venturi mask).

Nasal Cannula

Low-flow device delivering 24-44% O₂ at 1-6 L/min.

Simple Face Mask

Covers nose and mouth; delivers 40-60% O₂ at 5-8 L/min.

Partial Rebreather Mask

Reservoir mask without one-way valve; 50-75% O₂ at 8-11 L/min.

Non-Rebreather Mask

Reservoir mask with one-way valves; provides 80-95% O₂ at 10-15 L/min.

Venturi Mask

High-flow mask with color-coded valves giving precise 24-60% FiO₂.

Transtracheal Catheter

Long-term O₂ delivery through neck stoma using ½-4 L/min.

Incentive Spirometry

Device encouraging slow deep inhalation to prevent postoperative atelectasis.

Mini-Nebulizer

Handheld device that aerosolizes bronchodilator or mucolytic medications.

Chest Physiotherapy (CPT)

Percussion, vibration, postural drainage techniques to mobilize secretions.

Tracheostomy

Surgical creation of stoma in trachea to bypass obstruction or aid ventilation.

Mechanical Ventilation

Machine support providing controlled ventilation and oxygenation in respiratory failure.

Chest Drainage System

Closed system removing air/fluid from pleural space to re-expand lung.

Suction Control Chamber

Chest tube chamber regulating negative pressure with water (wet) or dial (dry).

Water Seal Chamber

One-way valve preventing backflow; tidaling reflects pleural pressure changes.

Collection Chamber

Section of chest drain where blood or fluid accumulates for measurement.

Wet Suction System

Uses water column; gentle bubbling indicates active suction up to –40 cm H₂O.

Dry Suction System

Uses mechanical dial; no bubbling; suction up to –25 cm H₂O; easier transport.

Tidaling

Fluctuation of water seal level with respiration; absence may indicate lung re-expansion or obstruction.

Air Leak (Chest Tube)

Continuous bubbling in water seal showing pleural air escape or system leak.

Valsalva Maneuver

Forced exhalation against closed glottis used during chest tube removal to prevent air entry.

Subcutaneous Emphysema

Air under skin around chest tube site producing crepitus on palpation.

Kussmaul Respiration

Deep rapid breathing associated with metabolic acidosis, especially DKA.

SpO₂

Percentage of oxygen-saturated hemoglobin measured by pulse oximetry.

PaCO₂

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (35-45 mm Hg normal).

HCO₃⁻

Bicarbonate concentration in arterial blood (22-26 mEq/L normal).

PaO₂

Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood; evaluated in ABG.

Metabolic Acidosis

Low pH with low HCO₃⁻; may trigger compensatory hyperventilation.

Metabolic Alkalosis

High pH with high HCO₃⁻; often from vomiting or diuretics.

Respiratory Acidosis

Low pH with high PaCO₂ due to hypoventilation.

Respiratory Alkalosis

High pH with low PaCO₂ from hyperventilation.

Claustrophobia (Imaging)

Intense fear of closed spaces; may contraindicate MRI/CT without anxiolytics.

Radiopaque Dye Allergy

Hypersensitivity to iodine/contrast media requiring pre-assessment before angiography or CT.

Postural Drainage

Positioning technique in CPT using gravity to drain specific lung segments.

Percussion (CPT)

Clapping chest wall with cupped hands to loosen secretions.

Vibration (CPT)

Fine shaking of chest during exhalation to mobilize secretions.

Kink/Stripping (Chest Tube)

Bending or aggressive squeezing of tubing—should be avoided to prevent negative pressure injury.

Pleural Effusion

Accumulation of fluid in pleural space; often drained by thoracentesis.

Pneumothorax

Air in pleural space causing lung collapse; may need chest tube.

Hemothorax

Blood in pleural cavity requiring drainage.

Mechanical Dial (Dry Suction)

Adjustable knob on dry chest drain setting negative pressure without water.

One-Way Valve (Oxygen Mask)

Component on non-rebreather preventing inhalation of room air.

Reservoir Bag

Flexible bag storing extra oxygen on rebreather masks.

Ataxic Breathing

Another term for Biot’s respiration—irregular pattern from medullary damage.