Respiratory Emergencies

Front 1

dyspnea

Back 1

difficulty breathing

Front 2

COPD

Back 2

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma

Front 3

Fick Principle

Back 3

the movement and utilization of oxygen in the body is dependent on adequate ventilation, diffusion and perfusion

Front 4

respiration

Back 4

principle function of the lungs; the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Front 5

inspiration

Back 5

the act of breathing in or inhaling

Front 6

expiration

Back 6

the act of breathing out or exhaling

Front 7

ventilation

Back 7

the process of moving air into and out of the lungs

Front 8

cellular respiration

Back 8

the exchange of gases that moves oxygen into the cells and carbon dioxide into the capillaries

Front 9

pulmonary respiration

Back 9

oxygen entering the alveoli from inhalation passing through tiny passages in the alveolar wall into the capillaries which carry oxygen to the heart

Front 10

hypoxia

Back 10

when the body's cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen

Front 11

2 types of pulmonary edema

Back 11

high permeability - noncardiogenic (hypoxia, inhalation injuries, near drowning, environmental lung diseases
high pressure - cardiogenic (left-sided heart failure or pulmonary hypertension)

Front 12

anemia

Back 12

deficiency of red blood cells

Front 13

characteristics of adequate breathing

Back 13

normal rate/depth, regular pattern of inhalation/exhalation, good audible breath sounds bilaterally, symmetrical rise/fall of chest,

Front 14

diffusion

Back 14

movement of gases from a higher concentration to a lower concentration

Front 15

characteristics of inadequate breathing

Back 15

rate less than 12 or greater than 20 breaths/min, reduced flow of expired air at nose/mouth, retractions, diminished/noisy/absent breath sounds, unequal chest wall movement, shallow respirations, pursed lips, nasal flaring

Front 16

hypoxic drive

Back 16

when low oxygen levels stimulate breathing rather than CO2 levels

Front 17

requirements for giving nitro

Back 17

minimum systolic BP of 100mm Hg and no ED drugs in past 24 hours

Front 18

intrinsic factors

Back 18

stress, URI, exercise

Front 19

extrinsic factors

Back 19

smoking, allergens, drugs, occupational hazards

Front 20

chronic bronchitis

Back 20

productive cough for at least 3 months/year for 2 or more consecutive years. Ongoing irritation of trachea and bronchi seen mostly with smokers "Blue Bloaters"

Front 21

emphysema

Back 21

irreversible degenerative condition characterized by decreased alveolar surface tension (elasticity) secondary to destruction of pulmonary surfactant

Front 22

surfactant

Back 22

lubricant that lines alveolar walls allowing them to expand and recoil

Front 23

atelectasis

Back 23

collapse of alveoli

Front 24

pursed lips helps to do this

Back 24

maintains a positive airway pressure

Front 25

polycythemia

Back 25

excess production of red blood cells caused by chronic low oxygen levels "pink puffers"

Front 26

signs/symptoms of COPD

Back 26

produce sputum, chronic cough, difficulty expelling air from lungs, long expiratory phases and wheezing, barrel-like chest appearance, rhonci, SOB, BP-normal; pulse - rapid & irregular; respirations - rapid or slow

Front 27

rhonci

Back 27

course, rattling breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the larger lower airways

Front 28

stridor

Back 28

high pitched barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction

Front 29

epiglottitis

Back 29

infectious disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause upper airway obstruction

Front 30

wheezing

Back 30

high pitched whistling breath sound, heard on inspiration in patients with asthma or COPD

Front 31

Asthma

Back 31

acute spasms of smaller air passages (bronchioles) associated with excess mucus production and spasm of bronchiolar muscles

Front 32

status asthmaticus

Back 32

life-threatening prolonged exacerbation that does not respond to conventional therapy

Front 33

signs/symptoms of asthma

Back 33

2-3 word dyspnea, diminished or absent breath sounds, altered mental status, wheezing, retractions

Front 34

nocturnal dyspnea

Back 34

difficulty breathing that awakens a person from sleep

Front 35

side effects of beta agonists

Back 35

increased automaticity, contractility, heart rate, and conductivity

Front 36

paroxysmal

Back 36

characterized by sudden onset

Front 37

anaphylaxis

Back 37

reaction characterized by airway swelling, dilation of blood vessels all over body which may lower BP significantly

Front 38

hay fever

Back 38

allergic reaction to substances such as pollen, mold, grasses, weeds, and dust

Front 39

pneumothorax

Back 39

air inside thoracic cavity but outside of lung (pleural space); hyperresonance on percussion

Front 40

rhinorrhea

Back 40

runny nose

Front 41

spontaneous pneumothorax

Back 41

weakened portion of lung that ruptures without any injury causing it; thin, young males most at risk

Front 42

pleuritic chest pain

Back 42

sharp, stabbing pain in the chest that is worsened by a deep breath or other chest wall movement; often caused by inflammation or irritation of the pleura

Front 43

subcutaneous emphysema

Back 43

air bubbles trapped under the skin in subcutaneous tissue

Front 44

tachypnea

Back 44

rapid breathing

Front 45

tachycardia

Back 45

rapid heart rate

Front 46

pneumonia

Back 46

ventilation disorder caused by infection of lung parenchyma (tissue of lung); can be bacterial or viral

Front 47

pleural effusion

Back 47

collection of fluid outside lung on one or both sides of chest

Front 48

thrombus

Back 48

blood clot

Front 49

embolus

Back 49

anything in circulatory system that travels to a distant site where it lodges, creating a perfusion disorder by obstructing distal blood flow in that area

Front 50

pulmonary thromboembolism

Back 50

passage of blood clot (thrombus) formed in a vein (usually in legs or pelvis) that breaks off and circulates through the venous system, moving through the right side of the heart and into the pulmonary artery, where it becomes lodged, significantly decreasing or blocking blood flow

Front 51

Eupnea

Back 51

normal breathing pattern

Front 52

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

Back 52

periods of rapid and slow respirations alternating with periods of apnea; commonly seen in patients with head injuries

Front 53

central neurogenic hyperventilation

Back 53

deep, rapid respirations commonly seen in patients with head injury

Front 54

Kussmaul respirations

Back 54

deep, rapid respirations accompanied by an acetone or fruity odor on the patient's breath; seen in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis

Front 55

ataxic (Biot) respirations

Back 55

rapid, irregular respirations with periods of apnea

Front 56

apneustic respirations

Back 56

impaired respirations with sustained inspiratory effort

Front 57

apnea

Back 57

cessation of breathing

Front 58

hypercoagulation

Back 58

blood clotting unusually fast

Front 59

hyperventilation syndrome

Back 59

acute dyspnea with no known respiratory disease; overbreathing to the point at which arterial CO2 levels fall below normal; may be indicator of major life-threatening illness

Front 60

signs/symptoms of hyperventilation syndrome

Back 60

anxiety, dizziness, numbness, tingling of hands & feet, carpopedal spasms