Term |
Definition |
Adventitious Lung Sounds |
Abnormal sounds that originate in the lungs & airways |
Afterload |
The pressure or resistance that the ventricles overcome to eject blood through the semilunar valves & into the peripheral blood vessels |
Anabolism |
The use of energy to change simple materials into complex body substances & tissue |
Anti-embolism Hose (TED hose) |
Tightly fitting elastic stockings that are used to promote blood flow of venous return & prevent edema in the lower extremities, DVT, venous stasis, & pulmonary embolism |
Apnea |
Absence of breathing for several seconds |
Arteriosclerosis |
A thickening or hardening of the arterial wall that's often associated with aging |
Atelectasis |
The collapse of all of part of a lung |
Atherosclerosis |
The build up of plaque in coronary arteries around the heart (is a type of arteriosclerosis) |
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) |
The minimum amount of energy required to maintain body functions in the resting, awake state |
Bradypnea |
Abnormally slow breathing (<10 BPM) |
Borborygmus |
Increased high-pitched bowel sounds, especially loud, gurgling sounds, result from increased motility of the bowel |
Bruits |
"Swooshing" sounds over the abdominal aorta, the renal arteries, & the iliac arteries |
Cachexia |
Physical wasting |
Cardiac Index |
Can be calculated by dividing cardiac output by the body surface area; Normal range is 2.8-4.2 |
Cardiac Output |
Calculated by multiplying the heart rate in bpm times the stroke volume in liters per beat; is the amount of blood pumped from the left ventricle each minute |
Catabolism |
The breaking down of substances from complex to simple, resulting in a release of energy |
Chyme |
Semiliquid product of digestion that travels from the stomach through the intestines |
Contractility |
The ability of atrial & ventricular muscle cells to shorten their fiber length in response to electrical stimulation |
Coronary Artery Disease |
Narrowing of the arteries by atherosclerosis, spasms, or congenital malformations |
Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) |
Measures bone mineral density; Spine & hip are most often assessed on a central DXA; Calculates T-score (0= healthy, -1 to -2.5= osteopenia, & <-2.5= osteoporosis |
Dysphagia |
Difficulty swallowing |
ECG/EKG |
A recording of the electrical current generated by the heart during depolarization & repolarization; Test results are interpreted for HR & rhythm, lack of blood supply, abnormalities of conduction system, & arrhythmias |
Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test |
Tests for blood in the stool; more likely to yeild a false positive than fecal immunochemical test due to requiring an active component of guaiac |
Hemoptysis |
The presence of blood in the sputum |
Hypercapnia |
Abnormally high levels of CO2 in the blood (>45 mmHg in arterial blood), may have respiratory depression when supplemental oxygen levels are too high |
Hyperlipidemia |
Elevation of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, or both |
Hyperventilation |
Over expansion of the lungs, characterized by rapid & deep breaths; CO2 levels increase & alkalosis happens |
Hypoventilation |
Under expansion of the lungs, characterized by shallow, slow respirations |
Ischemia |
Reduced blood flow |
Kwashiorkor |
Lack of protein accompanied by fluid retention |
Macronutrients |
Nutrients that are needed in large amounts |
Marasmus |
A protein & caloric deficiency |
Mean Arterial Pressure |
Factors that influence MAP include: Total blood volume (viscosity), Cardiac output (HR x Stroke volume), & Size & integrity of the vascular bed, especially in capillaries |
Metabolism |
The process of chemically changing nutrients, such as fats & proteins, into end products that are used to meet the energy needs of the body or stored for future use, thereby helping maintain homeostasis |
Micronutrients |
Nutrients that are needed by the body in limited amounts |
Osteomalacia |
Bone loss & softening caused by lack of calcification; Cause = lack of vitamin D |
Osteoporosis |
Chronic disease of cellular regulation in which bone loss causes significant decreased density & possible fracture; Caused by: lack of Ca+ & estrogen or testosterone |
Peripheral Artery Disease |
Is a result of systemic atherosclerosis; Is a chronic condition in which partial or total arterial occlusion decreases perfusion to the extremities |
Peripheral Vascular Disease |
Includes disorders that change the natural flow of blood through the arteries and veins of the peripheral circulation, causing decreased perfusion to body tissues; is an umbrella term |
Peristalsis |
Wavelike muscular movement through the digestive tract |
Postural Drainage |
A therapeutic way to position a patient to use gravity to help mobilize respiratory tract secretions; Improves ventilation & perfusion & normalizes the functional residual capacity of the lungs |
Preload |
The degree of myocardial fiber stretch at the end of diastole & just before contraction; Is determined by the amount of blood returning to the heart from both sides |
Pulse Deficit |
When a patient's radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse because of cardiac contractions that are weak or ineffective at pumping blood to the peripheral tissues & extremities |
Pulse Intensity |
The strength of the pulse with each beat; Described as normal (able to palpate with normal pressure), diminished (weaker than expected/difficult to palpate), absent (unable to palpate), or bounding (may be able to see pulsation; does not disappear with palpation); rated on a scale of 0-3 with 0 being absent & 3 being Bounding |
Pulse Pressure |
The difference between the systolic & diastolic values |
Renin-Angiotensin System |
Regulates BP & fluid balance through vasoconstriction & excretion or reabsorption of sodium |
Sequential Compression Devices |
Inflatable sleeves that wrap around the legs of patients & are attached to an air source that inflates & deflates, creating a massaging action for the lower extremities |
Stroke Volume |
The amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each contraction; A decrease in SV can result from an increase in afterload without the benefit of compensatory mechanisms, thus leading to a decrease in cardiac output |
Tachypnea |
Increased respiratory rate of >24 BPM in an adult with quick shallow breaths |
