Term | Definition |
telemetry unit | step down from ICU |
crash cart | cart carrying supplies needed for immediate treatment of a heart attack |
congestive heart failure | condition in which a weakened heart is unable to pump all the blood out if the lungs each time it beats, blood pools at bottom of lungs=heard to breathe |
stethoscope | device used that amplifies sound, used to listen to the heart and take blood pressure |
endotracheal tube | device that is inserted into the airway of a pt. about to receive general anesthetic |
sphygmomanometer | used to take blood pressure |
emphysema | disease characterized by gradual destruction of the alveoli, exchange of O2 and CO2 through these larger air sacs is inadequate |
asthma | disease that affects the air passages in the lung, causing wheezing and shortness of breath |
atrial fibrillation | abnormality of heart rhythm in which chambers of the heart no longer beat in synchrony, heart rate is fast and irregular |
pneumonia | acute infecton of the tissues of the lung |
trachostomy | artificial airway through an incision in the trachea |
height and weight | anthropometric measurements |
COLD/COPD | any chronic lung condition in which the flow of expired air is slowed down |
suctioning | applying negative pressure to remove mucus, phlegm, and other secretions from airway |
atherosclerosis | deposits of fat in the arterial wall |
physiotherapist | assesses patients, devise deep breathing exercises |
arterial blood gases | assessment done on a client to determine the amounts of O2 and CO2 dissolved in the blood |
sputum specimen | consist of mucous secretions, not saliva, from the airways lungs or throats |
cerbrovascular accident | damage to the brain that occurs when the blood supply to an area of the brain is diminished or occlude completely (STROKE) |
myocardial infarction | damage to the heart caused by a blockage in one of the coronary arteries, cutting off blood supply to a part of the heart (HEART ATTACK) |
dyspnea | difficulty breathing |
pacemaker | electronic device that regulates the heartbeat |
hypertension (high blood pressure) | excessive force of the blood against the vessel walls as the heart pumps it through the body |
bradycardia | extremely slow heartbeat |
oxygen therapy | for pts who, for any reason do not have enough oxygen in the blood |
arteriosclerosis | hardening of the arteries; reduces blood flow |
temperature | heat is produced by the body as it uses the food needed to maintain normal body functions |
vital signs | important measurements of the body's state of health |
hypoxia | insufficient oxygen in blood or tissue |
deep suctioning | introducing that suction catheter into the lower trachea and bronchi; AKA endotracheal suctioning |
hemmorage | loss of a large amount of blood |
arrhythmia | loss of normal rhythm of the heartbeat |
pulse oximetry | method used by nurses and respiratory therapists to determine oxygen levels in red blood cells in the arterial blood |
chonchi/wheeze | musical pitched sounds produced by air passing through narrowed bronchi, heard on auscultation of the lungs |
"call the arrest" | notify the appropriate people |
respiration | one full cycle of breathing |
postural drainage | positioning that client with the head lower than the body so that gravity can help drain |
thoracentesis | procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs |
nurse | provide ongoing assessment and feedback about a pts. oxygenation status |
vibrations | rapid movements of flattened hands over the pts. chest to move secretions |
extubate | remove the endotracheal tube |
inhalation therapy | selected medications to be delivered by a mask to the pt. |
crakles/crepitation | sounds produced by air passing over airway secretions |
endotracheal suctioning | type of deep suctioning |
oropharyngeal suctioning | suctioning with a catheter through the mouth to reach the back of the mouth and the back of the throat |
nasopharyngeal suctioning | suctioning with a catheter through the nose to reach the mouth and throat |
essential hypertension | cause of the increased pressure is idiopathic |
blood pressure | the force that the blood exerts on the arterial walls |
diastolic pressure | the pressure of the vascular walls when the heart is relaxing |
systolic pressure | the pressure on the vascular walls when the heart is contracting |
secondary hypertension | symptoms are always associated with disease, such as glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, or disease of the adrenal glands |
telemetry monitor | traces hearts activity, readout displayed on small screen |
humidifers | used for pts. who are experiencing respiratory difficulties |
clapping/percussion | using cupped hands to gently but firmly strike affected regions of the chest to move secretions |
pulse | when the heart contracts if forces blood throughout the body by way of blood vessles |