chapter 7

occasional, gasping breaths that occur after the heart has stopped

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

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

a period of not breathing

the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs

irregular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern

a device with a one-way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; when attached to a reservoir and connected to oxygen, delivers more than 90% supplemental oxygen

a protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to a patients body fluids

a body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline

the ability of the alveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalaltion

pressure on the cricoid cartilage; applied to occlude the esophagus in order to inhibit gastric distension and regurgitation of vomitus in the unconscious patient

a process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

difficulty breathing

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

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 and pressure during artificial ventilation

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

a dangerous condition in which the body tissues and cells do not have enough oxygen

a condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases

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

a lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients

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

breathing that requires greater than normal effort; may be slower or faster than normal and usually requires the use of accessory muscles

the biochemical processes that result in the production of energy from nutrients within the cells

occurs when a foreign body partially obstructs the patients airway. the patient is able to move adequate amounts of air, but also experiences some degree of respiratory distress

the amount of air moved through the lungs in one minute; calculated by multiplying tidal volume by respiratory rate

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

airway adjunct inserted into the nostril of a conscious patient who is unable to maintain airway patency independently

a combination mask that is the preferred way to give oxygen in the prehospital setting; delivers up to 90% inspired oxygen and prevents inhaling the exhaled gases (carbon dioxide)

airway adjunct inserted into the mouth to keep the tongue from blocking the upper airway and to facilitate suctioning the airway