Health Differences Across The Life Span 1 Vocabulary

Front 1

alveolar-capillary membrane

Back 1

1.where the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place in the lungs
2. oxygen diffuses across from the alveoli to be absorbed into the bloodstream
3. carbon dioxide diffuses across from the capillaries to be removed from the bloodstream and elimination through expiration

Front 2

ventilation

Back 2

the process by which air is moved into and out of the lungs (the process by which gases are exchanged in the respiratory system)

Front 3

inspiration

Back 3

movement of air into the lungs. active process caused by the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal and accessory respiratory muscles

Front 4

expiration

Back 4

movement of air out of the lungs. passive process that occurs as a result of the elastic recoil properties of lung tissue and the chest wall

Front 5

hyperventilation

Back 5

increased ventilation that exceeds the bodys need for CO2 elimination. characterized by a rapid respiratory rate

Front 6

respiratory alkalosis

Back 6

state of carbon dioxide deficit in the blood. develops as a result of prolonged hyperventilation

Front 7

hypocapnia

Back 7

PaCO2 levels are less than 35 mm Hg.

Front 8

common causes of hypocapnia

Back 8

1. anxiety
2. hypoxia
3. fever
4. pain
5. salicylate toxicity

Front 9

adverse outcomes if respiratory alkalosis is not corrected

Back 9

1. convulsions
2. cardiac arrhythmias

Front 10

hypoventilation

Back 10

decreased ability to ventilate lungs and provide an adequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Front 11

characteristics of hypoventilation

Back 11

1. decreased respiratory rate
2. decreased respiratory effort that impairs chest wall movement, which affects the depth

Front 12

causes of hypoventilation

Back 12

1. alterations in the mechanics of breathing
2. alterations in the neurological mechanisms that control breathing

Front 13

common causes of hypoventilation

Back 13

1. respiratory center depression
2. COPD
3. increased airway resistance

Front 14

common causes of respiratory center depression

Back 14

1. overdose of any drugs that have a respiratory depressant action, such as opiates, barbiturates, and antidepressants
2. neurological damage such as cerebral trauma or infarct

Front 15

respiratory center depression characteristics

Back 15

1. slow and shallow respiratory rate
2. restless, anxious, and/or confused
3. lethargic and cyanotic in later stages

Front 16

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Back 16

1. common cause of hypoventilation
2. characterized by air trapping in the alveoli
3. decreases gas exchange
4. gradual loss of elasticity in lung tissue
5. lungs remain distended (this leads to a decrease of air exchange)

Front 17

croup

Back 17

childhood condition caused by an upper airway infection that leads to laryngeal or tracheal swelling

Front 18

asthma

Back 18

narrowing of airways within the lungs which leads to difficulty moving air into and throughout the lungs

Front 19

obstructive sleep apnea

Back 19

caused by the collapse of soft tissue in the throat, leading to airway blockage

Front 20

hypoxia

Back 20

decreased supply of oxygen to the tissues

Front 21

hypoxemia

Back 21

decreased level of oxygen in the blood

Front 22

hypercapnia

Back 22

increased level of carbon dioxide in the blood

Front 23

effects of hypoventilation

Back 23

1. hypoxia and hypoxemia develop as a result of decreased availability of oxygen
2. hypercapnia develops because ventilation is insufficient to remove carbon dioxide from the system

Front 24

respiratory acidosis

Back 24

1. state of carbonic acid excess
2. PaCO2 > 40 mm Hg
3. results if hypoventilation not corrected

Front 25

nursing assessments for hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis

Back 25

1. respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth
2. auscultation for quality of air movement
3. monitor for any changes in LOC or onset of restlessness or confusion

Front 26

respiratory failure

Back 26

1. develops if respiratory acidosis not corrected
2. not capable of sustaining the ventilation neccessary to adequately oxygenate blood and eliminate carbon dioxide

Front 27

flail chest

Back 27

1. results from trauma
2. condition in which ribs are broken in multiple places and are no longer able to provide support to the chest wall

Front 28

pleural effusion

Back 28

1. the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space of the lungs
2. adversly affects lung expansion d/t pressure from the fluid and decreased ventilation

Front 29

decreased supply of atmospheric oxygen

Back 29

1. can lead to a decrease in the intake and supply of oxygen
2. example: smoke inhalation from house fire
3. decrease in oxygen occurs because the carbon monoxide in the bloodstream binds with the hemoglobin, displacing the oxygen
4. can also develop from high altitudes d/t decreased oxygen intake

Front 30

diffusion

Back 30

movement of gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, from higher levels of concentration to lower levels of concentration

Front 31

atelectasis

Back 31

1. actual collapse of alveoli
2. common post-op complication when pt doesn't breath deep enough to move secretions out of alveoli and air into them

Front 32

Ventilation-Perfusion ratio (V/Q) ratio

Back 32

1. when a specific amount of capillary blood flows past an alveolus and is equally matched by gas, the V/Q ratio is considered to be normal

Front 33

perfusion

Back 33

the amount of blood flow through the pulmonary capillaries

Front 34

shunting

Back 34

1. a condition in which blood flows through the lungs without any gas exchange
2. common cause is obstruction of distal airways
3. low V/Q ratio
4. co2 can't be eliminated and o2 can't be absorbed d/t the inadequate ventilation

Front 35

dead space

Back 35

1. adequate ventilation but inadequate capillary perfusion
2. not enough blood flow to support gas exchange
3. high V/Q ratio