Chapter 7 Principles of Pathophysiology

Aerobic Metabolism (air-O-bik)

The cellular process in which oxygen is used to metabolize glucose. Energy is produced in an efficient manner, with minimal waste products.

Anaerobic Metabolism (AN-air-o-bik)

The cellular process in which glucose is metabolized into energy without oxygen. Energy is produced in an inefficient manner, with many waste products.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood ejected from the heart in one minute (heart rate ∙ stroke volume).

Chemoreceptors (ke-mo-re-cept-erz)

Chemical sensors in the brain and blood vessels that identify changing levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Dead Air Space

Air that occupies the space between the mouth and alveoli but that does not actually reach the area of gas exchange.

Dehydration (de-hi-DRAY-shun)

An abnormally low amount of water in the body.

Diaphoresis (DI-uh-for-EE-sis)

Sweating; condition of cool, pale, and moist/sweaty skin.

Edema (eh-DEE-muh)

Swelling associated with the movement of water into the interstitial space.

Electrolyte (e-LEK-tro-lite)

A substance that, when dissolved in water, separates into charged particles.

FiO 2

Fraction of inspired oxygen; the concentration of oxygen in the air we breathe.

Hydrostatic Pressure (HI-dro-STAT-ik)

The pressure within a blood vessel that tends to push water out of the vessel.

Hypersensitivity

An exaggerated response by the immune system to a particular substance.

Hypoperfusion (HI-po-per-FEW-zhun)

Inability of the body to adequately circulate blood to the body’s cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients. A life-threatening condition. Also called shock. See also perfusion.

Metabolism (meh-TAB-o-lizm)

The cellular function of converting nutrients into energy.

Minute Volume

The amount of air breathed in during each respiration multiplied by the number of breaths per minute.

Patent (PAY-tent)

Open and clear; free from obstruction.

Pathophysiology (path-o-fiz-e-OL-o-je)

The study of how disease processes affect the function of the body.

Perfusion (per-FEW-zhun)

The supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries.

Plasma Oncotic Pressure (PLAZ-ma on-KOT-ik)

The pull exerted by large proteins in the plasma portion of blood that tends to pull water from the body into the bloodstream.

Shock

See hypoperfusion

Stretch Receptors

Sensors in blood vessels that identify internal pressure.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected from the heart in one contraction.

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)

The pressure in the peripheral blood vessels that the heart must overcome to pump blood into the system.

Tidal Volume

The volume of air moved in one cycle of breathing.

V/Q match

Ventilation/perfusion match. This implies that the alveoli are supplied with enough air and that the air in the alveoli is matched with sufficient blood in the pulmonary capillaries to permit optimum exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.