| Term | Definition |
| upper respiratory tract | nose, paranasal sinuses, sinus, pharynx |
| pharynx | connects nose, mouth, and throat |
| lower respiratory tract | larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli |
| larynx | voice box |
| epiglottis | closes larynx during swallowing |
| trachea | -windpipe
-passageway through which air reaches the lungs |
| bronchi | -2 main branches from trachea
-left and right |
| bronchioles | -branches from main bronchi
-distributes air to alveoli |
| alveoli | -balloon-like structures that inflate and deflate during ventilation
-exchange of oxygen and CO2 occurs here |
| ventilation | one breath in and out |
| inspiration | inhalation |
| expiration | exhalation |
| lungs | -2 sides
-right has 3 lobes (superior, middle, and inferior)
-left has 2 lobes (superior and inferior) |
| right side of lung | 3 lobes (superior, middle, and inferior) |
| left side of lung | 2 lobes (superior and inferior) |
| mediastinum | -separates lungs
-space that contains the heart, trachea, esophagus, and blood vessels |
| asthma | -chronic inflammatory disease of bronchi
-s/s-difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, tightness in chest, may cause allergic reaction
-tx-bronchodilators |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | -COPD
-consists of bronchitis and emphysema
-s/s-sob, persistent cough, increased # of infections
-tx-stop doing things that make it worse (smoking), bronchodilators, O2
-chest x-ray / ct scan |
| Bronchitis | -inflammation of bronchial passages
-s/s-hacking cough, white / green phlegm (24-48 hours after cough starts), tightness in chest, SOB
-tx-rest, fluids, stop smoking, use inhaler / nebulizer, oral steroids |
| Emphysema | -long-term progressive disease of lungs.
-attacks structures of alveoli
-smoking is major cause
-s/s-sob, cyanosis in lips and nail beds, tachycardia
-tx-stop smoking, bronchodilators, oral steroids, O2 |
| Hay Fever | -seasonal allergic rhinitis
-allergy causes nasal passage to be inflamed and irritated
-s/s-sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes
-tx-antihistamines (to prevent mucous membranes from getting inflamed) |
| Legionnaire's Disease | -type of lung infection caused by breathing in H2O mist contaminated with bacterium (showers, hot tubs, air conditioners)
-s/s-2-14 days after exposure, fever, sweating, headache, cough, sob, muscle pain
-tx-fluids, antibiotics, electrolytes |
| Lung Cancer | -affects lung tissue
-leading cause of CA deaths in US
-smoking is primary factor
-s/s-asymptomatic, cough, hemoptysis, sob, wheezing, angina, fatigue
-tx-surgery, chemo, raditation |
| Pertussis | -whooping cough
-bacterial infection of upper respiratory tract
-caused by bacteria
-s/s-cough, fever, "whooping" sound, vomit while coughing
-tx-antibiotics, O2, sedatives |
| Pleurisy | -inflammation of the membrane that surrounds / protects the lungs
-caused by respiratory infections such as Tb and pneumonia
-s/s-angina, coughing / sneezing are unbearable due to pain
-tx-anti inflammatory drugs, analgesics, cough supp, codeine |
| pneumonia | -inflammation of lungs caused by bacteria, fungi, or chemical irritants
-pneumococcus is most common
-s/s-cough w sputum, fever, chills, angina, muscle aches
-tx-O2, and respiratory therapy |
| Pulmonary Embolism | -PE
-blood clot in lungs
-s/s-angina, sob, tachypnea, tachycardia, dry cough
-tx-thrombolytics, O2, anticoagulants |
| Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome | -SARS
-HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS
-virus can remain alive for up to 6 hours on surface
-usually occurs during winter
-s/s-2-10 days for symptoms, fever 100.4, chils, h/a, muscle aches
-tx-antibiotics and steroids to decrease lung inflammation |
| Tuberculosis | -Tb
-contagious disease caused by Myobacterium Tb
-spreads through inhaled droplets from infected person
-s/s- hemoptysis, night sweats, cough, fatigue, chills, weakness, anorexia
-tx-takes 9-12 months to destroy bacteria thru series of abx therapies |
