Respiratory System Notes PDF

Respiratory System Define the following terms: SOBOE: “Shortness of breath on exertion” is a term used to describe difficulty breathing when engaged in a simple activity like walking up a flight of stairs or going to the mailbox. It's also known as: SOBOE. breathlessness on exertion. exertional...

Respiratory System Define the following terms: SOBOE: “Shortness of breath on exertion” is a term used to describe difficulty breathing when engaged in a simple activity like walking up a flight of stairs or going to the mailbox. It's also known as: SOBOE. breathlessness on exertion. exertional dyspnea. SOB: Shortness of breath, or breathlessness, is described as the frightening sensation of being unable to breathe normally or feeling suffocated. Cyanosis: Cyanosis refers to a bluish-purple color of the skin. It is most easily seen where the skin is thin, such as the lips, mouth, earlobes and fingernails. Cyanosis means there may be decreased oxygen in the bloodstream. It may suggest a problem with the lungs or heart. Dyspnea: Dyspnea (pronounced “DISP-nee-uh”) is the word healthcare providers use for feeling short of breath. You might describe it as not being able to get enough air (“air hunger”), chest tightness or working harder to breathe. Are dyspnea and sob the same? Dyspnea and shortness of breath describe the same condition and are often used interchangeably. Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath, while shortness of breath is a commonly used everyday phrase. Apnea: Sleep apnea is a common condition that occurs when your breathing stops and restarts many times while you sleep. This can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen. If someone tells you that you snore or gasp for air during sleep, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider. What is apnea in healthcare? Overview. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea. What is apnea in nursing terms? Apnea: Absence of breathing for a period of >15 seconds often associated with a bradycardia and/or desaturation. Orthopnea: Orthopnea is shortness of breath when lying down that's relieved by standing or sitting up. Heart failure, lung disease and other medical conditions are typical causes of orthopnea. Treating the underlying condition, using oxygen, taking medication or repositioning helps. Orthopnea is almost always caused by a condition such as heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Hyperventilation: Hyperventilation is rapid or deep breathing, usually caused by anxiety or panic. This over breathing, as it is sometimes called, may actually leave you feeling breathless. When you breathe, you inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Sputum: Sputum, also known as phlegm, is a thick type of mucus made in your lungs. If you have an infection or chronic illness affecting the lungs or airways, sputum can settle in your lungs, and you may also cough it up. Sputum is not the same as spit or saliva. Respiration: The word respiration is commonly used to describe the process of breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide. However, the term more formally refers to the chemical process organisms use to release the energy from food, which typically involves the consumption of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide. Wheezing: Wheezing is the shrill whistle or coarse rattle you hear when your airway is partially blocked. It might be blocked because of an allergic reaction, a cold, bronchitis or allergies. Wheezing is also a symptom of asthma, pneumonia, heart failure and more.