Anatomy & Physiology
This “trunk” of the respiratory tree carries air from the larynx to the mainstem bronchi.
What is the trachea?
The circulatory component of the respiratory system responsible for maintaining blood flow through pulmonary vessels.
What is perfusion?
This position, often adopted by patients in respiratory distress, involves leaning forward with arms supported.
What is the tripod position?
This therapy provides continuous positive pressure to keep alveoli open and improve oxygenation.
What is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)?
This disease causes widespread, reversible airway narrowing triggered by bronchospasm.
What is asthma?
At what point does the trachea bifurcate into the mainstem bronchi?
What is the carina?
When carbon dioxide accumulates in the blood, this acid-base disturbance occurs.
What is respiratory acidosis?
Name one cause of rapid-onset dyspnea discussed in the slides.
What is acute bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, pulmonary embolism, or pneumothorax?
A nebulizer requires at least this many liters per minute of gas flow for effective medication delivery.
What is 6 L/min?
Chronic sputum production for at least 3 months a year over 2 consecutive years defines this COPD subtype.
What is chronic bronchitis?
These terminal structures of the lungs are surrounded by capillaries and are the primary site of gas exchange.
What are the alveoli?
When breathing exceeds the body’s need, resulting in carbon dioxide loss and alkalosis.
What is hyperventilation?
What is the most ominous finding when auscultating a patient’s lungs?
What is the absence of breath sounds?
When using a metered-dose inhaler, this key step ensures the medication is properly delivered to the lungs.
What is inhaling deeply at the time of discharge and holding the breath for a few seconds?
Alveoli that merge into large, ineffective air sacs are characteristic of this disease.
What is emphysema?
This space in the middle of the chest contains the heart, great vessels, and large conducting airways.
What is the mediastinum?
This breathing pattern features deep, rapid respirations often seen in diabetic ketoacidosis or sepsis.
What are Kussmaul respirations?
Cyanosis begins when approximately how many grams per deciliter of hemoglobin become desaturated?
About 5 g/dL.
IV corticosteroids like methylprednisolone are used for acute attacks of these two conditions.
What are asthma and COPD exacerbations?
This pediatric infection causes upper airway swelling, stridor, and a barking cough.
What is croup?
What term describes areas of the airway that do not participate in gas exchange?
What is dead space?
Describe the relationship between carbon dioxide levels and pH.
As CO₂ increases, pH decreases (acidic); as CO₂ decreases, pH increases (alkalotic).
This clinical finding, visible in the neck veins, may indicate cardiac tamponade, pneumothorax, or heart failure.
What is jugular venous distention (JVD)?
This term describes the positive pressure that remains in the thorax when exhalation is incomplete during ventilation.
What is auto-PEEP?
This condition occurs when foreign substances such as vomitus or food enter the airway and lungs.
What is aspiration?