Key Terms

advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)

enhanced training and skills beyond basic life support (BLS), primarily involving the addition of resuscitation and cardiac support medications

afterload

the force the ventricles must generate to pump blood against the resistance in the vessels

arteriosclerosis

stiffening of the arterial walls

artery

a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

atelectasis

the collapse of alveoli in the lungs, resulting in limited air movement and decreased gas exchange

atherosclerosis

buildup of plaque deposits within the artery walls

automated external defibrillator (AED)

an easy-to-use portable device available in many settings that can analyze a cardiac rhythm and defibrillate, if appropriate, in order to reestablish an effective cardiac rhythm

automaticity

the ability of cells to initiate spontaneous action potential

bronchiectasis

a chronic condition where airways are dilated and the lung walls are thickened due to inflammation and infection

capnography

CO₂ monitor

cardiomyocytes

heart muscle cells

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions

cardiopulmonary system

combination of cardiovascular and pulmonary systems

cardioversion

use of low-dose electricity to convert the cardiac electrical system from a dysrhythmia (e.g., A-fib) to normal sinus rhythm

carina

the ridge of cartilage at the base of the trachea that separates the openings of the left and right primary bronchi

comorbidity

multiple medical diagnoses

compliance

the ability of the lungs to accommodate deep and shallow breaths and maintain elastic recoil

contractility

pumping action of the heart

crepitus

a popping or crackling sensation when the skin is palpated; it is a sign of air trapped under the subcutaneous tissues

cyanosis

a bluish or dusky discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by hypoxia

dysrhythmia

a rhythm abnormality

ejection fraction (EF)

the percentage of blood within the ventricle that is expelled during a single systolic contraction

electrocardiogram

the visual interpretation of the electrical impulses involved in the cardiac cycle

epiglottis

a flexible piece of cartilage that covers the opening of the trachea during swallowing to prevent ingested material from entering the trachea

esophagus

part of the gastrointestinal tract: tubular structure adjacent to trachea which transports food and fluid boluses from the mouth to stomach

expiration

the movement of air out of the lungs

false vocal cords

mucosal tissue located within the glottis; also known as vestibular folds

fibrosis

abnormal scar tissue

gas exchange

the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide; takes place at the alveolar-capillary bed

glottis

the opening between vocal folds; includes true vocal cords and the opening between them

hypercapnia

an elevated CO₂

hyperventilation

rapid, deep breathing

hypoxemia

decreased partial pressure of oxygen in the blood (PaO₂)

hypoxia

a reduced level of tissue oxygenation

inspiration

the movement of air into the lungs

intravascular volume

the amount of fluid within the blood vessels

ischemia

a condition in which oxygen-rich blood flow is restricted or reduced in a part of the body

isoelectric line

the flat horizontal line on ECG paper, reflecting no electrical voltage (positive or negative)

laryngopharynx

lower portion of the throat, located behind the larynx

larynx

tubular airway structure at the superior part of the trachea that connects the pharynx to the trachea and helps regulate the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs; contains the vocal cords

mediastinum

the space within the thoracic cavity, medially between the lungs

metabolic syndrome

a cluster of diseases (including hypertension, high blood sugar levels, a large waistline or apple shape, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol) that occur together, increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease

nasal turbinates

folded mucosal tissues offering protection, warmth, and humidity to the nasal cavity; also known as conchae

nasopharynx

superior part of pharynx, connecting nose and trachea

oropharynx

middle portion of pharynx, including tonsils and base of tongue, connecting to trachea

perfusion

vascular circulation powered by the pumping action of the heart that delivers oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues

pharynx

muscular tube that connects the nasal cavity and mouth to the voice box (larynx) and the esophagus (food pipe); also known as the throat

postural drainage

use of gravity/positioning to enhance drainage of respiratory secretions

preload

the stretch on the ventricles prior to contraction

pulse oximeter

instrument that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood

respiration

a general term for breathing and ventilation; composed of inhalation and exhalation

respiratory ventilation

the act of breathing; associated with oxygenation

rhythm strip

a tracing of the electrical cycles as seen from a selected lead, usually representing six seconds

sinuses

cavities located bilaterally in various areas of the skull; identified by the nearby bones

spirometry

pulmonary function test measuring the amount and speed of air movement on inhalation and exhalation

stroke volume

the volume of blood pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart during each systolic cardiac contraction

subcutaneous emphysema

air trapped in the subcutaneous tissue

surfactant

a phospholipid compound that reduces surface tension of alveoli, thereby preventing alveolar collapse (atelectasis)

tachycardia

heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute

tachypnea

a respiratory rate that exceeds 20 breaths per minute

tidal volume

length and depth of breaths

trachea

the lowest structure of the upper airway, adjacent to the esophagus, that connects the lung bronchi and the larynx and provides a route for air to enter and exit the lungs; also known as the windpipe

true vocal cords

structures within the glottis with muscular attachments to the thyroid and laryngeal cartilage; movement at the inner aspects produces sound production mechanism

valve

promotes the unidirectional flow of blood toward the heart and prevents backflow in a vein

vein

a blood vessel that returns blood to the heart

venous reserve

percentage of venous blood located in venous networks within the liver, bone marrow, and integument

ventilation

the movement of air in and out of the lungs