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advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
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enhanced training and skills beyond basic life support (BLS), primarily involving the addition of resuscitation and cardiac support medications
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afterload
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the force the ventricles must generate to pump blood against the resistance in the vessels
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arteriosclerosis
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stiffening of the arterial walls
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artery
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a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
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atelectasis
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the collapse of alveoli in the lungs, resulting in limited air movement and decreased gas exchange
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atherosclerosis
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buildup of plaque deposits within the artery walls
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automated external defibrillator (AED)
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an easy-to-use portable device available in many settings that can analyze a cardiac rhythm and defibrillate, if appropriate, in order to reestablish an effective cardiac rhythm
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automaticity
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the ability of cells to initiate spontaneous action potential
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bronchiectasis
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a chronic condition where airways are dilated and the lung walls are thickened due to inflammation and infection
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capnography
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CO
2
monitor
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cardiomyocytes
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heart muscle cells
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cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
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combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions
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cardiopulmonary system
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combination of cardiovascular and pulmonary systems
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cardioversion
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use of low-dose electricity to convert the cardiac electrical system from a dysrhythmia (e.g., A-fib) to normal sinus rhythm
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carina
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the ridge of cartilage at the base of the trachea that separates the openings of the left and right primary bronchi
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comorbidity
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multiple medical diagnoses
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compliance
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the ability of the lungs to accommodate deep and shallow breaths and maintain elastic recoil
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contractility
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pumping action of the heart
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crepitus
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a popping or crackling sensation when the skin is palpated; it is a sign of air trapped under the subcutaneous tissues
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cyanosis
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a bluish or dusky discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by hypoxia
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dysrhythmia
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a rhythm abnormality
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ejection fraction (EF)
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the percentage of blood within the ventricle that is expelled during a single systolic contraction
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electrocardiogram
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the visual interpretation of the electrical impulses involved in the cardiac cycle
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epiglottis
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a flexible piece of cartilage that covers the opening of the trachea during swallowing to prevent ingested material from entering the trachea
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esophagus
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part of the gastrointestinal tract: tubular structure adjacent to trachea which transports food and fluid boluses from the mouth to stomach
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expiration
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the movement of air out of the lungs
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false vocal cords
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mucosal tissue located within the glottis; also known as vestibular folds
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fibrosis
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abnormal scar tissue
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gas exchange
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the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide; takes place at the alveolar-capillary bed
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glottis
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the opening between vocal folds; includes true vocal cords and the opening between them
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hypercapnia
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an elevated CO
2
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hyperventilation
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rapid, deep breathing
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hypoxemia
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decreased partial pressure of oxygen in the blood (PaO
2
)
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hypoxia
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a reduced level of tissue oxygenation
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inspiration
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the movement of air into the lungs
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intravascular volume
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the amount of fluid within the blood vessels
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ischemia
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a condition in which oxygen-rich blood flow is restricted or reduced in a part of the body
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isoelectric line
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the flat horizontal line on ECG paper, reflecting no electrical voltage (positive or negative)
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laryngopharynx
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lower portion of the throat, located behind the larynx
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larynx
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tubular airway structure at the superior part of the trachea that connects the pharynx to the trachea and helps regulate the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs; contains the vocal cords
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mediastinum
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the space within the thoracic cavity, medially between the lungs
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metabolic syndrome
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a cluster of diseases (including hypertension, high blood sugar levels, a large waistline or apple shape, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol) that occur together, increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease
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nasal turbinates
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folded mucosal tissues offering protection, warmth, and humidity to the nasal cavity; also known as conchae
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nasopharynx
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superior part of pharynx, connecting nose and trachea
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oropharynx
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middle portion of pharynx, including tonsils and base of tongue, connecting to trachea
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perfusion
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vascular circulation powered by the pumping action of the heart that delivers oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues
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pharynx
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muscular tube that connects the nasal cavity and mouth to the voice box (larynx) and the esophagus (food pipe); also known as the throat
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postural drainage
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use of gravity/positioning to enhance drainage of respiratory secretions
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preload
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the stretch on the ventricles prior to contraction
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pulse oximeter
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instrument that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood
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respiration
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a general term for breathing and ventilation; composed of inhalation and exhalation
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respiratory ventilation
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the act of breathing; associated with oxygenation
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rhythm strip
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a tracing of the electrical cycles as seen from a selected lead, usually representing six seconds
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sinuses
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cavities located bilaterally in various areas of the skull; identified by the nearby bones
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spirometry
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pulmonary function test measuring the amount and speed of air movement on inhalation and exhalation
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stroke volume
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the volume of blood pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart during each systolic cardiac contraction
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subcutaneous emphysema
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air trapped in the subcutaneous tissue
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surfactant
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a phospholipid compound that reduces surface tension of alveoli, thereby preventing alveolar collapse (atelectasis)
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tachycardia
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heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute
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tachypnea
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a respiratory rate that exceeds 20 breaths per minute
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tidal volume
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length and depth of breaths
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trachea
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the lowest structure of the upper airway, adjacent to the esophagus, that connects the lung bronchi and the larynx and provides a route for air to enter and exit the lungs; also known as the windpipe
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true vocal cords
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structures within the glottis with muscular attachments to the thyroid and laryngeal cartilage; movement at the inner aspects produces sound production mechanism
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valve
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promotes the unidirectional flow of blood toward the heart and prevents backflow in a vein
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vein
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a blood vessel that returns blood to the heart
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venous reserve
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percentage of venous blood located in venous networks within the liver, bone marrow, and integument
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ventilation
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the movement of air in and out of the lungs