Respiratory Care Terminology

Acidosis

Pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of acid in, or loss of base from, the body

Acute

Sharp, severe, or rapid onset and characterized by severe symptoms and a short course, not chronic

Air embolism

Blockage of a blood vessel by a bubble of air that has entered the bloodstream

Air trapping

The prevention of gas from leaving the alveoli during exhalation; This is usually caused by airway closure during exhalation

Airway resistance

The pressure difference between the mouth and alveoli divided by flow rate

Albuterol sulfate

Inhalation solution that is indicated for the relief of bronchospasm in patients two years of age and older with reversible obstructive airway disease and acute attacks of bronchospasm

Alkalemia

Increased pH and decreased hydrogen ion concentration of the blood

Alveolus

A small, saclike structure. Often used interchangeably with acinus

Anoxia

Deficiency of oxygen

Apnea

Complete absence of spontaneous ventilation

Arrhythmia

Irregularity or loss of rhythm, especially of the heartbeat

Arterial

Pertaining to one artery or a network of arteries

Arterial sampling

The technique of obtaining a blood sample from an artery; Common sites from which samples are obtained include the radial, brachial, and femoral

Arteriole

A very small artery, especially one that, at its distal end, leads into a capillary

Asphyxia

Condition caused by an insufficient uptake of oxygen

Aspiration

Pneumonia or inflammatory condition of the lungs and bronchi caused by the inhalation of foreign material or vomitus containing acid gastric contents

Atelectasis

Collapse of the lung; May be caused by obstruction

Auscultation

The process of listening to a patient’s chest using a stethoscope

Barotrauma

Trauma to the thoracic structures resulting directly from the applied positive pressure (increases intrathoracic pressure) from mechanical ventilation

Barrel chest

An abnormal chest conformation characterized by an increase in the anterior-posterior diameter. A barrel chest often accompanies chronic obstructive lung disease in which there is concomitant air trapping

Bradycardia

An abnormally low heart rate

Bradypnea

An abnormally low respiratory rate

Bronchial alveolar lavge (BAL)

A technique in which the bronchoscope is wedged and normal saline (0.9%) is instilled and retrieved for cellular analysis

Bronchiectasis

A lung disorder in which the bronchial tubes become enlarged and distended forming pockets where infection may develop. The bronchial walls may also be damaged which reduces in the lung’s ability to expel foreign material.

Bronchoconstriction

Narrowing of the pulmonary air passages

Bronchodilation

Widening of pulmonary air passages

Bronchoscopy

A technique or procedure that involves visually examining the tracheobronchial tree with an instrument called a bronchoscope for diagnostic or therapeutic indications

Bronchospasm

Involuntary sudden movement or convulsive contraction of the muscular coats of the bronchus

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Colorless, odorless, incombustible gas formed during respiration and combustion

Catheter fragment embolism

Blockage of a blood vessel that occurs when a portion of an intravenous catheter is cut or broken off and enters the bloodstream

Central venous pressure (CVP)

Pressure within the superior vena cava, which reflects the pressure under which the blood is returned to the right atrium

Chest percussion

A technique in which the practitioner claps on the patient’s chest wall using a cupped hand to induce vibration throughout the lung parenchyma, facilitating bronchial secretion clearance. The technique may also be performed with the assistance of mechanical devices

Cheyne-Stokes breathing

l0 to 30 seconds of apnea, followed by a gradual increase in the volume and frequency of breathing, followed by a gradual decrease in the volume of breathing until another period of apnea occurs

Chronic

Denoting a process that shows little change and slow progression and is of long duration

Cilia

Small, hairlike projections on the surface of epithelial cells. In the bronchi they propel mucus and foreign particles in a whiplike movement toward the throat

Cocci

A bacterium that is round or spherical in shape

Congenital

Existing at and usually before birth; referring to conditions that are present at birth, regardless of their cause

Congestion

Excessive amount of blood or tissue fluid in an organ or tissue

Congestive heart failure

Myocardial insufficiency of the left ventricle that results in pulmonary congestion

Consolidation

The process of becoming solid; a mass that has solidified

Constrict

Tighten or squeeze; making a part narrow

Continuous mechanical ventilation

The artificial support of a patient’s ventilatory needs using a mechanical ventilator; Support may be total or partial

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

The application of continuous pressure (both inspiration and expiration) for the spontaneously breathing patient

Cor pulmonale

Failure of the right ventricle resulting from disorders of the lungs or pulmonary vessels

Coronary artery disease

The obstruction of the coronary arteries, that may be caused by fatty deposits (plaque) or thrombi; Obstruction of the coronary arteries can lead to decreased delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle, and the onset of symptoms

Crackles

Abnormal, fine or medium crackling wet sounds typically heard during inspiration; also known as rales

Diastole

Normal period in the heart cycle during which the muscle fibers lengthen, the heart dilates, and the chambers fill with blood

Diffusion

The movement of gas molecules from an area of relatively high concentration of gas to one of low concentration; Different gases each move according to their own individual partial pressure gradients; Diffusion continues until all the gases in the two areas are in equilibrium

Digital clubbing

An abnormal enlargement of the distal phalanges, usually caused by chronic hypoxemia

Droplet transmission

Transmission of microorganisms by aerosolized droplets (0.5 microns or larger) usually produced by coughing or sneezing

Ductus arteriosus

Vessel between the left pulmonary artery and the aorta that bypasses the lungs in the fetus

Dyspnea

Difficulty in breathing, of which the individual is aware

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Record of the electrical activity of the heart

Endotracheal

Within the trachea

Endotrachial tube

An artificial airway that may be passed orally or nasally into the trachea, providing for positive pressure ventilation and airway protection

Eupnea

Normal, spontaneous breathing

Extubation

The process in which the endotrachial tube is removed; Extubation usually follows clinical improvement or accomplished outcomes on the part of the patient

Fenestrated tracheostomy tume

A specialized tracheostomy tube in which there is an opening (fenestration) cut into the cannula, permitting passage of air into the upper airway

Fibrosis

Formation of scar tissue

Fistula

Abnormal passage or communication, usually between two internal organs or leading from an internal organ to the surface of the body

Flail chest

A thorax in which multiple rib fractures cause instability in part of the chest wall and paradoxical breathing, with the lung underlying the injured areas contracting on inspiration and bulging on expiration

Foramen ovale

Opening between the atria of the heart in the fetus; This opening normally closes shortly after birth

Forced vital capacity

The maximum volume of gas that can be exhaled over a specific time period

Functional residual capacity

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal exhalation

Funnel chest

Abnormal deformity of the sternum that results in a depression of the sternum and compression of the lungs

Heat and moisture exchanger (HME)

A hygroscopic device placed proximal to the patient’s artificial airway that captures the exhaled moisture and evaporates it during inspiration, humidifying the airway

Humidity

Water contained in a gas as a vapor

Hypercapnia

Greater than normal amount of carbon dioxide in the blood; also called hypercarbia

Hyperpnea

Increased depth (volume) of breathing, with or without an increased frequency

Hypersensitivity

Abnormal sensitivity to a stimulus of any kind

Hypoperfusion

Deficiency of blood coursing through the vessels of the circulatory system

Hypopnea

A shallow ventilatory pattern

Hypoventilation

A decreased alveolar ventilation

Hypoxemia

An abnormally low oxygen content in blood

Incentive spirometer

A specific biofeedback device that records volume or flow to provide encouragement and feedback for the patient to take a deeper breath

Incentive spirometry

The technique of applying biofeedback devices that encourage the patient to take deeper breaths than normal

Inflammation

Localized heat, redness, swelling, and pain as a result of irritation, injury, or infection

Inspiratory capacity

The volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal exhalation

Intubation

Passage of a tube into a body aperture; specifically, the insertion of a breathing tube through the mouth or nose or into the trachea

IPPB (Intermittent positive pressure breathing) therapy

The application of positive pressure using an IPPB ventilator to increase the overall volume of air inspired

Ischemia

Decreased blood supply to a body organ or part

Kussmaul breathing

Both an increased depth and rate of breathing

Kyphoscoliosis

An abnormal curvature of the spine in which both kyphosis and scoliosis are present

Kyphosis

An abnormal curvature of the upper spine in which there is a greater posterior to anterior curve, resulting in a “”hump back”” appearance

Lactic acid

Acid formed in muscles during activity by the breakdown of sugar without oxygen

Lobar

Pertaining to a lobe, such as the lobes of the lung

Lung compliance

The change in lung volume per unit pressure change

MDI (Metered dose inhaler)

A small, compact, self-contained aerosol dispensing device similar in design to an aerosol spray can

Metabolic acidosis

An acidosis produced as a result of the renal system not producing enough bicarbonation, thus lowering the blood’s pH

Metabolism

Sum of all physical and chemical changes that take place within an organism; all energy and material transformations that occur within living cells

Mucous

Pertaining to or resembling mucus; secreting mucus

Mucus

The gel-like substance of the mucous membranes, composed of mucin (secreted by the mucus glands), along with various inorganic salts, desquamated cells, and leukocytes

Nasal cannula

A low flow oxygen delivery device designed to administer oxygen through the nose, filling the anatomic reservoir with oxygen enriched gas; This device is used with liter flows of less than 6 L/min

Nasopharyngeal airway

An artificial airway that passes through the nose and nasopharynx and rests just behind the tongue, where it separates it from the posterior pharynx

Nebulizer

A device that produces an aerosol

Necrosis

Localized tissue death that occurs in groups of cells in response to disease or injury

Neoplasms

New and abnormal formation of tissue

Oropharyngeal airway

An artificial airway that is inserted into the mouth and separates the tongue from the posterior pharynx

Orthopnea

A condition in which an individual is able to breathe most comfortably only in the upright position

Oxygen concentrator

A medical device that separates oxygen from room air, supplying up to 95% oxygen at low flow rates, often used in the home

Oxygen content

Total amount of oxygen in the blood

Palpation

A technique in which the patient’s body is touched by the examiner’s hands

Passy-Muir valve

A specialized one-way valve that is designed to be placed onto a tracheostomy tube (when the cuff is deflated), which then allows the patient to exhale through the upper airway

Pathogen

Any agent causing disease, especially a microorganism

Peak expiratory flow rate

The maximal flow rate generated during a forceful exhalation

Peak flowmeter

A portable medical device that measures a patient’s spontaneous peak expiratory flow rate during a forced exhalation

Perfusion

Passing of blood or fluid through a vascular bed

pH

Symbol for the logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration

Pneumothorax

A collection of air or gas in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse

Postural drainage

A technique in which the patient is positioned in specific ways such that gravity assists with the drainage of pulmonary secretions from a lobe or segment

Pressure

In physics, the quotient obtained by dividing a force by the area of the surface on which it acts

Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)

The pressure obtained when the balloon of the pulmonary artery catheter is inflated, wedging it in the pulmonary artery

Pulmonary

Concerning or involving the lungs

Pulmonary vein

The vessel conducting blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart

Pulmonologist

A medical specialist trained in the functioning of the lungs and airways

Pulse oximeter

A medical instrument that allows the measurement of oxygen saturation non-invasively using the infrared absorption spectra of hemoglobin

Respirometer

A portable medical device used to measure inspired or expired volumes at the bedside

Retinopathy of prematurity

A noninflammatory change in the retinal vessels of newborns’ eyes resulting in constriction of the vessels and permanent damage of the retina, caused by increased oxygen tensions in the plasma

Scoliosis

An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine

Soft tissue obstruction

Airway obstruction caused by relaxation of the tongue and posterior pharynx, which obstructs the airway; Soft tissue obstruction is the most common form of airway obstruction

Spacer

A chamber that is attached to an MDI to help reduce the velocity of the aerosol and stabilize the particle size by removing larger particles from suspension

Suction catheter

A small flexible catheter that is used to suction the airway

Suctioning

An invasive procedure in which a flexible catheter is inserted into the tracheobronchial tree and vacuum is applied to remove secretions or foreign material

Therapeutic bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy procedure that is performed to remove secretions, mucous plugs, or foreign bodies

Tracheostomy

A surgical incision made into the trachea at the second cartilaginous ring at which point a tube is inserted to maintain a patent’s airway

Tracheostomy button

A specialized appliance that is designed to maintain a patient stoma following the removal of the tracheostomy tube

Transtracheal catheter

A specialized catheter that is surgically inserted into the trachea (second cartilaginous ring) for the administration of low flow oxygen

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels, especially the small arteries and arterioles

Vector transmission

Transmission of microorganisms via an intermediate host (flea, mosquito, tick, etc.)

Vehicle transmission

Transmission of microorganisms by an inanimate object, such as equipment used in treating the patient

Ventilation

Movement of air in and out of lungs

Ventricle

Either of two lower chambers of the heart

Viscous

Sticky; gummy; gelatinous

Vital capacity

The maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after a maximal inspiration.

Volume Percent (Vol%)

The number of milliliters (ml) of a substance contained in 100 ml of another substance.

Xopenex®

Inhalation medication (levalbuterol HCl) that is indicated for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adults, adolescents, and children six years of age and older with reversible obstructive airway disease