Key Terms

airways

passageways through which gases move to and from the lungs

atelectasis

the collapse of the alveoli

auscultation

listening with a stethoscope for normal breath sounds, abnormal sounds, and voice sounds

crepitus

air trapped in and under the skin, typically felt as crackling

dyspnea

difficulty breathing, or breathlessness

fremitus

a vibration in the chest wall as the client speaks

gas exchange

oxygen being transported to the cells and carbon dioxide being transported away from the cells

Mallampati score

an airway assessment scale to classify the visibility of the oropharyngeal structures

orthopnea

shortness of breath that occurs when lying down and is relieved by sitting up

pack-years

the number of cigarettes or other smoke packs smoked per day multiplied by number of years smoked

percussion

a systematic tapping over the intercostal spaces, moving through the anterior, lateral, and posterior thorax

perfusion

the process of the arterial blood moving through tissues throughout the entire body

respiratory diffusion

occurs when gases move down the concentration gradient across the alveolar sacs and capillaries

surfactant

a fatty protein that lines the alveoli and reduces surface tension

ventilation

the movement of atmospheric air that is higher in oxygen into the lungs and removal of carbon dioxide