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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 act of exhalation or breathing out
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 blood 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 group of disorders including high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and central obesity
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
respiration
the action of breathing, including 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
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