X Glossary

Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)

Accessory muscles: Muscles other than the diaphragm and intercostal muscles that may be used for labored breathing.

Apnea: Absence of respirations.

Atelectasis: Alveoli or an entire lung is collapsed, allowing no air movement.

Barrel-chested: An equal AP-to-transverse diameter that often occurs in patients with COPD due to hyperinflation of the lungs.

Bradypnea: Decreased respiratory rate or slow breath less than normal range according to the patient’s age.

Bronchial breath sounds: High-pitched hollow sounds heard over trachea and the larynx.

Bronchovesicular sounds: Mixture of low- and high-pitched sounds heard over major bronchi.

Clubbing: A change in the configuration where the tips of the nails curve around the fingertips, usually caused by chronic low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Crackles: Also referred to as “rales”; sound like popping or crackling noises during inspiration. Associated with inflammation and fluid accumulation in the alveoli.

Crepitus: Air trapped under a subcutaneous layer of the skin; creates a popping or crackling sensation as the area is palpated.

Cyanosis: Bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and nail beds. It is an indication of decreased perfusion and oxygenation.

Dyspnea: A subjective feeling of breathlessness.

Hemoptysis: Blood-tinged mucus secretions from the lungs.

Hypercapnia: Increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Hypoxemia: Decreased levels of oxygen in the blood.

Kyphosis: Outward curvature of the back; often described as “hunchback.”

Orthopnea: Breathlessness or a feeling of shortness of breath when lying in a reclined position.

Pallor: A reduced amount of oxyhemoglobin in the skin or mucous membranes and causes skin and mucous membranes to present with a pale skin color.

Rales: Another term used for crackles.

Respiration: Includes ventilation and gas exchange at the alveolar level where blood is oxygenated and carbon dioxide is removed.

Retractions: The “pulling in” of muscles between the ribs or in the neck when breathing, indicating difficulty breathing or respiratory distress.

Stridor: High-pitched crowing sounds heard over the upper airway and larynx indicating obstruction.

Tachypnea: Rapid and often shallow breathing greater than normal range according to the patient’s age.

Ventilation: The mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Vesicular sounds: Low-pitched soft sounds like “rustling leaves” heard over alveoli and small bronchial airways.

Wheeze: High-pitched sounds heard on expiration or inspiration associated with bronchoconstriction or bronchospasm.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Nursing Skills by Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book