| A | B |
|---|
| laryngospasm | forceful contraction of the laryngeal muscles |
| resistance | the opposition of the body to the passage of gases into an open space, e.g., airway resistance to ventilations |
| compliance | the elasticity of the lungs; the change in lung volume in response to a change in pressure |
| diffusion | movement of a gas from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration, as in the passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide across alveolar and capillary membranes |
| ventilation | process of getting air or oxygen to the alveoli of the lungs |
| perfusion | adequate supply of blood to the tissues |
| pulmonary shunting | the mixture of unoxygenated blood with oxygenated blood leaving the lungs caused by a mismatch between ventilaition and perfusion of lungs segments -- either insufficient air reaching the alveoli or insufficient blood reaching the capillaries -- as occurs with atelectasis |
| atelectasis | a collapsed or airless lung or lung segment |
| hypoxemia | insufficient oxygenation of the blood; an arterial oxygen level less than 80 torr |
| hypoxia | inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissues |
| angioedema | an immunologically produced swelling of skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs |
| cricoid pressure | application of pressure on the cricoid cartilage to prevent gastric insufflation, regurgitation, and aspiration and to aid in visualization of the vocal cords; also known as Sellick's maneuver. |
| trismus | muscle spasm resulting in clenching of the jaw |
| induction | the introduction of drugs that produce sedation and amnesia |
| rapid sequence intubation | an organized sequence of induction and paralysis used to aid and control an invasive procedure such as intubation |
| motor endplate | the point at which nerve and muscle interact |
| acetylcholine | chemical, released when a nerve impulse reaches the motor endplate, that binds to receptors on the muscle cells, creating electrical and chemical changes that result in muscle contraction |
| depolarizing | paralytic agents chemically similar to acetylcholine that bind to muscle receptor sites, cause muscle contraction, then continue to occupy the receptor sites, preventing further contractions |
| non-depolarizing agents | paralytic agents chemically similar to acetylcholine that bind to muscle receptor sites without causing contractions, then continue to occupy the receptor sites, preventing contractions |
| parenteral routes | routes of medication other than by the digestive tract, including intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraosseous, transdermal, endotracheal, and inhalation |
| enteral routes | routes of medication through the digestive tract, including oral, sublingual, and rectal |
| peripheral veins | the veins of the arms and legs and the external jugular vein |
| central veins | veins that are part of the central circulation, including the internal jugular and the subclavian vein |
| microdrip set | intravenous administration set that delivers one milliliter with 60 drops of fluid |
| macrodrip set | an intravenous administration set that delivers one milliliter with 10 or 15 drops of fluid |
| bolus | a concentrated dose of medication given rapidly by intravenous injection |
| IV push | the method of administering a bolus of medication intravenously in one rapid dose |
| drip | slow intravenous administration of a medication, one drop at a time |
| IV piggyback | drip administration of a medication achieved by inserting the drip medication administration set into a port in the original intravenous line |
| perfusion | the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to body tissue |
| hypoperfusion | inadequate tissue perfusion |
| shock | systemic hypoperfusion; inadequate delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to body tissue |
| cardiac output | the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle each minute |
| stroke volume | the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each heartbeat |
| Frank-Starling mechanism | attribute of heart muscle by which the more it is stretched the more strongly it will contract |
| preload | the volume of blood delivered to the heart |
| afterload | the resistance against which the heart must pump |
| acidosis | excessive acidity of body fluids |
| hemorrhagic shock | shock resulting from blood loss; a subcategory of hypovolemic shock |
| compensated shock | the period of shock during which the body is able to compensate for the effects of shock and maintain adequate tissue perfusion |
| decompensated shock (progressive shock) | the period of shock during which the body begins to loss its ability to compensate for shock and becomes unable to maintain adequate tissue perfusion |
| irreversible shock | an advanced condition of shock in which cells, tissue, and organs damage cannot be reversed and will, in most circumstances, result in death |
| hypovolemic shock | shock resulting from fluid loss: blood, plasma, or body water |
| skin vitals | skin color, temperature, and moisture |
| obstructive shock | shock resulting from a mechanical obstruction of the circulatory system, such as tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, or pulmonary emboli |
| tension pneumothorax | air or gas trapped in the pleural space with no route of escape |
| pleuitic chest pain | sharp, stabbing pain, worsened by coughing, sneezing, deep breathing, or movement |
| cardiac tamponade | accumulation of excess fluid in the pericardium (the sac that encloses the heart) |
| paradoxical pulse | suppression of the pulse at the close of inspiration; also called pulsus paradoxus |
| pulse pressure | the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures |
| pulmonary emboli | obstruction of pulmonary arteries, ususally blood clots |
| distributive shock | shock resulting from abnormal vasodilation or vasopermeability or both |
| neurogenic shock | shock resulting from abnormal vasodilation caused by a loss of sympathic nervous system response |
| pulmonary edema | accumulation of fluid in the lungs |
| anaphylactic shock | a severe allergic reaction; an exaggerated response of the immune system |
| septic shock | shock resulting from an overwhelming infection in the blood |
| septicemia | infection of the blood |
| cardiogenic shock | shock resulting from abnormal function of the heart; failure of the heart muscle, valvular insufficiency, or rhythm disturbance |
| orthostatic hypotension | a drop in blood pressure when the body moves from a lying to a sitting or standing position; also called postural hypotension |
| dyspnea | an abnormal or uncomfortable awareness of breathing |
| agonal respirations | slow, irregular, shallow, gasping breaths seen in respiratory failure or impending respiratory arrest |
| Cheyne-Stokes respirations | regular cycles of apnea gradually changing to periods of hyperventilation |
| apneustic respirations | long, deep breaths separated by periods of apnea |
| Kussmaul's respiration | deep, rapid, regular respirations |
| anaphylaxis | severe allergic reaction |
| angioedema | swelling or hives affecting the skin, mucous membranes, or viscera. There are various casues, possibly hereditary, including sensitivity to certain foods, drugs, or other substances or environmental conditions |
| laryngospasm | sudden closure of the glottic opening |
| asthma | disease characterized by increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree to a variety of stimulants resulting in paroxysmal contriction of the bronchial airways |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | a blanket term for disease that impede the functioning of the lungs. These include emphysema (abnomral increase in size of alveoli and destruction of alveolar walls) and chronic bronchitis (increased mucous production in the bronchial tree) |
| pneumonia | inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or chemical irritants |
| plerual effusion | accumulation of blood or other fluids, air, or infection (pus) in the pleural sac |
| pneumothorax | abnormal collection of air in the pleural space; tension pneumothorax pneumothorax in which air enters but cannot escape the pleural space, creating increased pressure, collapse of affected lungs, and compression of mediastinal structures |
| pulmonary embolism | obstruction of a pulmonary artery or arterial branch, usually by a blood clot carried from a lower extermity |
| pleuritis/pleurodynia | inflammatory conditions of the chest wall |
| toxic inhalation | breathing in of chemical irritants or poisonous substances |
| adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) | disorder resulting from abnormal permeabilty of the pulmonary capillaries or alveolar epithelium |
| angina pectoris | chest pain caused by a deficiency in oxygen supply to heart muscle |
| acute mocaridial infarction (AMI) | death of heart muscle resulting from blockage of blood supply and consequent lack of oxygenation |
| congestive heart failure (CHF) | condition caused by impaired pumping abilty of the heart resulting in failure to meet the metabolic demands of the body |
| cardiac tamponade | abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardium |
| muscular dystrophy | wasting disease of the muscles |
| anyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) | a muscular dystrophy caused by degeneration of motor neurons of the spinal cord. Also called Low Gehrig's disease |
| myasthenia gravis | disease characterized by muscular weakness and fatigue improved by rest |
| Guillain-Barre syndrome | a disease of unknown etiology, characterized by pain and weakness begnning in the distal extremities and progressing to involve entire limbs and possible the trunk |
| anemia | condition that exists when the hemoglobin content of the blood is inadequate to supply the body's oxygen demands |
| hyperthyroidism | condition resulting from excessive thyroid gland secretion leading to increased metabolic activity |
| metabolic acidosis | excessive acidity of body fluids which may result from metabolic changes that may result from a variety of causes |
| psychogenic hyperventilation | increased ventilation caused by mental status such as anxiety. the diagnosis is established only after other causes of the hyperventilatory activity have been ruled out. |
| somatic pain | pain that originates from nerve fibers located in the skin or parietal pleura, typically perceived as sharp and well localized |
| pleura | membrane that covers the lungs and walls of the thorax and diaphragm. The visceral and parietal pleura are separated by a serous secretion that reduces friction during respiratory movements of the lungs. Certain injuries or diseases may cause the visceral and parietal pleura to adhere or to be separated by fluid or air that enters the space between them |
| parietal pleura | portion of the pleura that covers the inner walls of the thorax |
| visceral pain | pain that originates from pain fibers in organs or the visceral pleura. The pain is perceived as poorly localized and indistinct in character, often described as pressure, heaviness, burning, or aching |
| visceral pleura | portion of the pleura that covers the lungs |
| Manfan's syndrome | a hereditary disorder of connective tissues producting laxity of joints, aortic dissection, and problems with the optic lens |
| friction rub | sound heard when dry surfaces rub together, for example when pleural tissues are inflamed |
| acute myocardial infarction | death of a portion of heart muscle caused by insufficient oxygen supply, usually resulting from bloackage of one or more coronary arteries |
| angina pectoris | literally "pain in the chest", caused by insufficiency of blood and oxygen to meet the increased workload of the heart; stable angina is promptly relieved by rest, oxygen, or nitroglycerin; unstable angina is a more frequent and sever occurance of anginal pain that may occur at rest and may be the precursor of acute myocardial infarction |
| aortic dissection | dirspution in the integrity of the wall of the aorta that may result in rupture of the vessel |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | a hereditary disorder of connective tissues producting easily bruised skin, hyperextensible joints, and visceral malformations, among other effects |
| pulmonary embolism | obstruction of the pulmonary artery or arterial branches by a blood clot, usually one that has become disloged from a vein in the lower extremities and traveled to the pulmonary vasculature |
| esophageal disruption | rupture of the esophagus, usually caused by a sudden, forceful rise in intra-abdominal pressure as from forceful comiting or coughing |
| cardiac tamponade | accumulation of excess fluid in the pericardium that may result from injury or from pericarditis or other medical conditions |
| pneumothorax | abnormal collection of air in the pleural space; tension pneumothorax pneumothorax in which air enters but cannot escape the pleural space' creating increased pressure, collapse of the affected lung, and compression of mediastinal structures |
| pericarditis | inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that surronds the heart |
| costochondritis | inflammation of the ribs and/or cartilagenous structures of the ribs |
| pleurodynia | inflammation of the parietal pleura |
| mitral valve prolaspe | expansion of the mitral valve into the left atrium during systole |
| altered mental status | a deficiency in level of consciousness, cognitive ability, or general orientation; any behavior or response that diverges from the normal and is indicative of impaired mental function |
| consciousness | a state of awareness of oneself and one's environment |
| cerebrum | the largest portion of the brain, consisting of right and left hemispheres, responsible for memory, thought, speech, voluntary movement, and sensory perception |
| cerebal cortex | the covering of the cerebrum |
| reticular activating system (RAS) | nerve fibers extending from the brainstem to the cerebral cortex that are responsible for initiating and maintaining states of arousal and awareness |
| level of consciousness | state of awareness; may be estimated by the AVPU method or by measures such as the Glasgow Coma Scale |
| herniation | extrusion of the brain through the formen magnum or the cranial wall |
| Kussmaul's respirations | a pathologic pattern of rapid, deep respirations; often associated with acidosis |
| Biot's (ataxic) respirations | pathologic respirations with no coordinated pattern; often associated with stroke |
| central neurogenic respirations | a pathologic pattern of rapid, deep respirations; often associated with brain injury or herniation |
| cerebral concussion | force from a blow to the head that is transmitted to the brain |
| cerebral contusion | bruising of the brain |
| epidural hematoma | swelling or mass of blood formed above the dura mater |
| subdural hematoma | swelling or mass of blood formed beneath the dura mater |
| intracerebral hemorrhage | bleeding with the brain tissue |
| ischemia | deficiency of blood supply to the tissues |
| infraction | death of tissues as a result of cessation of blood supply |
| thrombus | a blood clot that develops in and obstructs a blood vessel |
| embolus | a solid, liquid, or gaseous mass carried to a blood vessel from a remote site |
| apneustic respirations | a pathologic pattern of long, deep respirations bollowed by apnea; often associated with severe central nervous system disease or stroke |
| hemiplegia | paralysis to one side of the body |
| hemiparesis | weakness to one side of the body |
| dysphasia | impairment of speech |
| aphasia | absence of the ability to communicate through speech |
| syncopal episode | an episode of fainting |
| Brudzinski's sign | flexion of the head that causes neck pain and a reflexive of the hips and knees |
| Kernig's sign | flexion of the extremities with pain and resistance on subsequent straightening |
| ataxia | defective muscular coordination |
| hypercapnia | abnormal retention of carbon dioxide |
| polyuria | voluminous output of urine |
| polyphagia | excessive hunger |
| polydipsia | excessive thirst |
| encephalopathy | any disease or dysfunction of the brain |
| jaundice | yellowing of the skin or other tissues |
| ocular icterus | yellowing of the sclerae |
| spider angiomas | branched growth of dilated capillaries on the skin |
| edema | fluid accumulation in the tissues; swelling |
| ascites | fluid accumulation in the abdomen |
| fector hepaticus | a musty odor on the breath associated with rising ammonia levels in the blood resulting from a disorder of the liver |
| palsy | partial or complete paralysis |
| oliguria | decreased urinary output |
| pH | literally "potential of hydrogen". In chemistry the decrease of acidity or alkalinity of a substance is expressed as a pH value. A value of 7.35 to 7.45 is netural; a value greater thean 7.45 expresses alkalinity; a value less than 7.35 expresses acidity |
| osmolarity | ionic concentration, Plasma osmolarity is the ionic concentration in plasma |
| tetany | muscular spasms of the extremities |
| goiter | enlarged thyroid gland |
| exophthalmos | protrusion of the eye balls from the orbital cavities |
| Cushing's disease | a syndrome caused by hypersecretion of teh adrenal cortex |
| nystagmus | rapid and rhythmic movement of both pupils, either horizontally or vertically |
| dysconjugate gaze | eyes turned in different directions |
| peritoneum | the serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvis cavity. The parietal peritoneum covers the outer wall. The visceral peritoneum covers internal organs |
| viscera | the internal organs |
| peritoneal space | anterior portion of the abdomen |
| retroperitoneal space | posterior portion of the abdomen |
| mesenteries | double sheets of peritoneum that support the intestines and contain the blood vessels that supply the intestines |
| peristalsis | rhythmic contractions that move substances through hollow organs or tubes |
| crampy, colicky | intermittent or spasmodic pain |
| visceral pain | pain arising from a visceral organ, usually dull and poorly localized |
| localized/poorly localized | localized pain is limited to a definite area; poorly localized pain is diffuse or may be felt in a somewhat differnt location than the affected organ |
| parietal pain | pain that arises from the parietal peritoneum, usually sharp, intense, and localized |
| dermatomes | areas of the skin innervated by specific spinal cord segments |
| referred pain | visceral pain felt at some distance from a diseased or affected organ, e.g. pain from an ovarian cyst felt in the shoulder or neck. This occurs when the brain misinterprets the pain as originating from a cutaneous nerve that innervates an area in which is, in fact, at a remove from the affected organ |
| hepatitis | inflammation of the liver that can have a variety of causes including viruses, bacteria, drugs, and toxic agents |
| cirrhosis | chronic liver disease that can have a variety of causes including nutritional deficiencies, alcohol ingestion, or prior viral or bacterial inflammation |
| cholecystitis | inflammation of the gall bladder |
| gastritis | inflammation of the gastric mucosa |
| peptic ulcer disease | formation of a disruption in the mucosa of the stomach or proximal portion of the small intestine |
| third spacing | leakage of fluid from the vascular and/or intracellular space into the interstitial space |
| sepsis | infection that is spread from its initial location to the blood stream |
| enteritis | inflammation of the intestine |
| ileitis | inflammation of the ileum |
| colitis | inflammation of the colon (large intestine) |
| gastroenteritis | inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract |
| inflammatory bowel disease | disease complex causing inflammation of the small or large intestine; colitis |
| Crohn's disease | inflammatory disease that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract, usually in the small or large intestine |
| epithelium | cells that form the outer surface of the body and the lining of the body cavity and principal tubes and passageways to the exterior |
| diverticula | pockets in the walls of an organ |
| diverticulosis | the presence of diverticula |
| diverticulitis | inflammation of diverticula. Inflamed diverticula of the colon may perforate, causing spillage into the peritoneal space |
| aneurysm | a weakened, dilated area of the wall of a vessel |
| dysuria | painful or difficult urination |
| appendicitis | inflammation of the appendix |
| anorexia | loss of appetite |
| ectropic pregnancy | a pregnancy in which the ovum is implanted in an area outsie the uterus, usually in a falopian tube (tubal pregnancy) |
| tilt test | test for orthostatic or postural hypotension. Pulse and blood pressure measurements taken when the patient is supine and compared with measurements taken when the patient rises to a sitting or standing position. Internal bleeding or severe flid loss are indicated by a rapid change in skin color, complaint of sizziness or nausea, disappearance of the radial pulse, an increase in pulse of 20 bests, or a drop in blood pressure of 10 mmHg |
| esophagela varices | swollen, distened veins in the esophagus resulting from any condition that causes obstruction of venous drainage into the portal vein of the liver, often associaed with chronic alcholoism or cirrhosis of the liver |
| Mallory-Weiss syndrome | hemorrhage from the distal esophagus or proximal stomach resulting from tearing caused by forceful vomiting or retching |
| occult bleeding | obscure or hidden bleeding; bleeding in minute quantities that can only be detected by microscopic or chemical tests |
| hemorrhoids | swollen, distened veins in the rectoanal area, usually caused by muscle straining. Bleeding may occur, especially after bowel movements |
| hematemesis | vomiting of blood |
| hematochezia | passage of stools containing red blood |
| melena | passage of dark, tarry stools |
| homeostasis | equilibrium of the body's intermal environment, including water balance, termperature regulation, and sugar, fat, and electrolyte balances |
| consciousness | a state of awarness of oneself and one's environment with response to that environment |
| generalized seizure | a seizure that involves both cerebral hemispheres and produces loss of consciousness |
| absence seizure | a type of generalized seizure characterized by a brief loss of awareness (possible manifestations: a blank stare, a brief cessation of activity), sudden onset, and rapid recovery |
| tonic-clonic seizure | a type of generalized seizure characterized by rapid loss of consciousness and motor coordination, muscle spasms, and jerking motions. Recovery is slow and characterized by exhaustion and confusion that gradualy improves |
| tonic spasm | persistent involuntary contraction of the muscles |
| clonic activity | alternative contraction and relaxation of the muscles resulting in jerking movements |
| postictal phase | the period of time following a seizure in which the patient regains consciousness. The postical phase may last from hours to days, depending on the length and intensity of the preceding seizure |
| status epilepticus | a prolonged seizure, lasting 30 minutes or more, or multiple seizures in which the patient does not regain consciousness between seizures. It is a life-threatening emergency |
| partial seizure | a seizure that involves only one cerebral hemisphere and may have only a local onset |
| simple partial seizure | a partial seizure that involves local motor, sensory, or automomic signs such as contractio of specific muscle groups, auditory or visual deficits or hallucinations, or vertigo. There is not loss of consciousness or alteration of mental status |
| complex partial seizure | a partial seizure with behavioral manifestations and an altered level of consciousness, which may be mistake for a psychiatric emergency or drug intoxication. It usually begins with an aura and proceeds to physical presentations such as twitching, lip-smacking, or repetitive movements |
| aura | a subjective sensation, such as a smell, tast, visual or auditory hallunication, or psychic experience that precedes some types of seizures |
| idiopathic seizure | a seizure that has no identifiable cause |
| hypoperfusion | inadequate delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the tissues resulting from interrupted or inadequate circulation of blood |
| hypoxia | inadequate oxygenation |
| hypercapnia | an increased level of carbon dioxide in the blood |
| hyponatremia | a decreased level of sodium in the blood |
| hypocalcemia | a decreased levle of calcium in the blood |
| hypomagnesemia | a decreased level of magnesium in the blood |
| hypokalemia | a decreased level of potassium in the blood |
| hypoglycemia | a decreased level of glucose in the blood |
| hypernatremia | an increased level of sodium in the blood |
| hyperglycemia | an increased level of glucose in the blood |
| hypercalcemia | an increased level of calcium in the blood |
| vasovagal | referring to action upon the blood vessels caused by stimulation of the vagal nerve |
| vasodepressor | having the effect of depressing circulation; lowering blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels |
| prodrome | a set of warning symptoms |
| orthostatic hypotension | a decrease in the blood pressure or an increase in heart rate or a sensation of light headedness when a patient moves to an upright posture from a sitting or reclining position (or after standing still for a long time); also called postural hypotension |
| Stokes-Adams syndrome | an altered level of consciousness caused by a decreased flow of blood to the brain from a transient interference with cardiac output caused by a high degree of AV block |
| sick sinus syndrome | dizziness, confusion, or syncope caused by sinus node dysfunction, including sinus bradycarida, sinoatrial block, or sinus arrest |
| carotid sinus | dilated area at the point where the common carotid artery bifurcates. It is densely supplied with sensory nerve endings that are stimulated in response to changes in pressure |
