EMT Vocabulary chapter 11

metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen

any airway manipulation that induces the production of aerosols that may present a risk for airborne transmission of pathogens, such as CPR

abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest

The upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat.

The volume of air moved through the lungs 1 minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate

The volume of air that reaches the alveoli. it is determined by subtracting the amount of dead space air from the title volume

A safety system for large oxygen cylinders, designed to prevent the accidental attachment of a regulator to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas

The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid

Absence of spontaneous breathing

A technique in which oxygen administered via a high-glow nasal cannula is left in place during an intubation attempt, allowing for continues oxygen delivery into the airways during all phases of the procedure.

In the context of the airway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign materials into the lungs

Irregular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern.

A ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. Frees the EMT to perform other tasks while ventilation is being performed

A device with a one way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; delivers more than 90% supplemental oxygen

A protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve; limits exposure to patient's body fluids

A body part or condition that appears on both sides of the body

Subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli

A noninvasive method to quickly and effectively provide information on a patient's ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism. Effectively measure then concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time

The use of a capnometer, a device that measure the amount of expired carbon dioxide

Point at which the trachea divides into the right and left main stem bronchi

Monitor the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ph of the cerebrospinal fluid and then provide feedback to the respiratory centers to modify the rate and depth of breathing based on the body's needs at any given time

A cyclical pattern of abnormal breathing that increases then decreases in rate and depth, followed by a period of apnea

The ability of the aveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalation

Method of ventilation used primarily in the treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory distress; can prevent the need for endotracheal intubation

Any portion of the airway that doesn't contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as trachea and bronchi

The process of replacing nitrogen in the lungs with oxygen to maintain a normal oxygen saturation level during advanced airway management

Movement of gas from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration

Visualization of the airway with a laryngoscope

Shortness of breath

Insertion of an endotracheal tube directly through the larynx between the vocal chords and into the trachea to maintain and protect an airway

The amount of carbon dioxide present at the end of an exhaled breath

Improper placement of an advanced airway device into the esophagus rather than into the trachea

The passive part of the breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs

The exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood cells in the pulmonary capillaries; also called pulmonary respiration

A normal reflex mechanism that causes retching; activated by touching the soft palate or the back of the throat

A condition in which air fills the stomach, often as a result of high volume pressure during artificial ventilation

The space between the vocal cords that is the narrowest portion of the adult airway; also called the glottic opening

A term used to distinguish the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. With good air exchange, the patient is still conscious and able to cough forcefully, although wheezing may be heard

A flexible device that in inserted between the glottis under direct laryngoscopy; the endotracheal tube is threaded over the device, facilitating its entry into the trachea

A combination of two movements to open the airway by tilting the forehead back and lifting the chin; not used for trauma patients

A collection of blood in the pleural cavity

Increased carbon dioxide level in the bloodstream

Deficient oxygen concentration in the tissues

A "backup system" to control respirations; senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood

The active, muscular part of breathing that draw air into the airway and the lungs

The exchange of gases between blood cells and tissue

Bypassing of oxygen poor blood past nonfunctional alveoli to the left side of the heart

Technique to open the airway by placing the finger behind the angle of the jaw and bringing the jaw forward; used for patients who may have cervical spine injury

The use of muscles of the chest, back, and abdomen to assist in the expanding the chest; occurs when air movement is impaired

A complex structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures that all work together; where the upper airway end and the lower airway begins; also called the voicebox

Space within the chest that contains the heart, major blood vessels, vagus nerve, trachea, major bronchi, and esophagus; located between the two lungs

The biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within the cells; also called cellular respiration

Occurs when a foreign body partially obstructs the patient's airway. The patient is able to move adequate amounts of air; but also experiences some degree of respiratory distress

The volume of air that moves into and out of the lungs per minute; calculated by multiplying the tidal volume and respiratory rate

An oxygen-delivery device in which oxygen flows through two small, tubelike prongs that fit into the patient's nostrils; delivers 24%-44% supplemental oxygen, depending on the flow rate

Airway adjunct inserted into the nostril of an unresponsive patient or a patient with an altered level of consciousness who is unable to maintain airway patency independently

The part of the pharynx that lies above the level of the roof of the mouth, or the palate

A combination mask and reservoir bag system that is the preferred way to give oxygen in the prehospital setting; delivers up to 90% inspired oxygen and prevents inhaling the exhaled gases

Airway adjunct inserted into the mouth of an unresponsive patient to keep the tongue from blocking the upper airway and to facilitate suctioning a the airway, if necessary

A tubular structure that forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity, which is bordered superiorly by hard and soft palates, laterally by the cheeks, and inferiorly by the tongue

The process of delivering oxygen to the blood by diffusion from the alveoli following inhalation into the lungs

A condition of excessive oxygen consumption resulting in cellular and tissue damage

thin membrane that lines the chest cavity

The term used to describe the amount of gas in air or dissolved in fluid, such as blood

The act of air moving into and out of the lungs during chest compressions

open, clear of obstruction

The two nerves that innervate the diaphragm; necessary for adequate breathing to occur

A system established for portable cylinders to ensure that a regulator is not connected to a cylinder containing the wrong types of gas

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity

A term used to describe the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. with poor air exchange, the patient often has a weak, ineffective cough, increased difficulty breathing, or possible cyanosis and may produce a high-pitched noise during inhalation (stridor)

The process of providing oxygen, often in combination with ventilation, prior to intubation in order to raise the oxygen levels of the body tissues; a critical step in advanced airway management, This extends the time during which an advanced airway can be placed in an apneic patient, because the more oxygen that is available in the alveoli, the longer the patient can maintain adequate gas exchange in the lungs during the procedure

An assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds

A side-laying position used to maintain a clear airway in unconscious patients without injuries who are breathing adequately

The air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration

The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide

movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration

occurs when a foreign body completely obstructs the patient's airway. The patient cannot breath, talk, or cough

An opening through the skin and into an organ or other structure

A harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound, generally heard during inspiration, that is caused by partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway; may be audible without a stethoscope

A hollow, cylindrical device used to remove fluid from the patient's airway

a liquid protein substance that coats the alveoli in the lungs, decreases alveolar surface tension, and keeps the alveoli expanded; a low level in a premature infant contributes to respiratory distress syndrome

An accumulation of air or gas in the plural cavity that progressively increases pressure in the chest and that interferes with cardiac function, with potentially fatal results

The amount of air (in ML) that is moved into or out of the lungs during one breath

Large, semi-rigid suction tips recommended for suctioning the pharynx.

A surgical procedure to create an opening (stoma) into the trachea; a stoma in the neck connects the trachea directly to the skin

The exchange of air between the lungs and the environment; occurs spontaneously by the patient or with assistance from another person, such as an EMT

visualization of the vocal cords, and thereby placement of the endotracheal tube, that is facilitated by use of a video camera and monitor

thin membrane that covers the lungs

The amount of air that can be forcibly expelled from the lungs after breathing in as deeply as possible

Thin white bands of tough muscular tissue that are lateral borders of the glottis and serve as the primary center for speech production

A high-pitched, whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration, and which suggests an obstruction or narrowing of the lower airway; occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis