Airway - ANSWER The passageway by which air enters and leaves the body. The
structures of the airway are the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and
lungs
Alveolar ventilation - ANSWER The amount of air that reaches the alveoli
Artificial Ventilation - ANSWER Forcing air or oxygen into the lungs when a patient has
stopped breathing or has inadequate breathing. Also called positive pressure ventilation
Apnea - ANSWER Absence of breathing
Bronchoconstruction - ANSWER The contractions of smooth muscle that lines the
bronchial passages that results in a decreased internal diameter of the airway and
increased resistance of airflow.
Cellular Respiration (internal respiration) - ANSWER The exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide b/w cells and circulating blood
Cyanosis - ANSWER A bluish or purplish color of the skin due to insufficient oxygen
levels in the blood
Diffusion - ANSWER the process by which molecules move from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration
Dyspnea - ANSWER Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath
Flail chest - ANSWER fracture of two or more adjacent ribs in two or more places that
allows for free movement of the fractured segment
Flowmeter - ANSWER A valve that indicates the flow of oxygen in liters per minute
Hypoxia - ANSWER A deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues
Intercostal - ANSWER Situated or extending b/w the ribs
Nasopharyngeal airway - ANSWER Flexile breathing tube inserted through the patient's
nostril into the pharynx to help maintain an open airway
Oropharyngeal airway - ANSWER Curved device inserted through the patient's mouth
into the pharynx to help maintain an open airway
Paradoxical motion - ANSWER Movement of the ribs in flail segment that is opposite to
the direction of movement of the rest of the chest cavity
, Patent airway - ANSWER An airway that is open and clear and will remain open and
clear, w/o interference to the passage of air into and out of the body.
Pressure regulator - ANSWER A device connected to an oxygen cylinder to reduce
pressure, so it is safe for delivery of oxygen to a patient
Pulmonary respiration (external respiration) - ANSWER The exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide b/w the alveoli and circulating blood in the pulmonary capillaries
Respiratory arrest - ANSWER When breathing stops completely
What is the trachea protected by? - ANSWER sixteen rings of cartilage
The trachea branches at the ________ and forms two mainstream ________ -
ANSWER carina, bronchi
The bronchi branch further into smaller and smaller air passages called what? -
ANSWER Bronchioles
All the air passages are supported by cartilage and lined with what? - ANSWER Smooth
muscles
What does this smooth muscle allow the bronchioles to do? - ANSWER Change their
diameter in response to specific stimulation
What are alveoli? - ANSWER Small sacs within the lungs where gas exchange takes
place with the bloodstream across the alveolar-capillary membrane
What does the diaphragm do? - ANSWER Divides the chest cavity from the abdominal
cavity and helps a person inhale and exhale
What are the three questions to consider during the primary assessment? - ANSWER Is
the patient's airway open, clear, and secure
Stridor - ANSWER A high pitched sound generated from partially obstructed air flow
What are the two procedures for opening the airway? - ANSWER The head-tilt chin-lift
maneuver and the jaw thrust maneuver
What does each suction unit consist of? - ANSWER A suction source, a collection
container for materials you suction, tubing, and suction tips or catheters
How many seconds should suctioning be limited to? - ANSWER 10
The rigid pharyngeal tip suction is called a __________ _____ - ANSWER Yankauer tip