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airways
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passageways through which gases move to and from the lungs
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atelectasis
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the collapse of the alveoli
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auscultation
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listening with a stethoscope for normal breath sounds, abnormal sounds, and voice sounds
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crepitus
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air trapped in and under the skin, typically felt as crackling
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dyspnea
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difficulty breathing, or breathlessness
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fremitus
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a vibration in the chest wall as the client speaks
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gas exchange
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oxygen being transported to the cells and carbon dioxide being transported away from the cells
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Mallampati score
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an airway assessment scale to classify the visibility of the oropharyngeal structures
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orthopnea
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shortness of breath that occurs when lying down and is relieved by sitting up
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pack-years
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the number of cigarettes or other smoke packs smoked per day multiplied by number of years smoked
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percussion
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a systematic tapping over the intercostal spaces, moving through the anterior, lateral, and posterior thorax
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perfusion
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the process of the arterial blood moving through tissues throughout the entire body
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respiratory diffusion
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occurs when gases move down the concentration gradient across the alveolar sacs and capillaries
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surfactant
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a fatty protein that lines the alveoli and reduces surface tension
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ventilation
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the movement of atmospheric air that is higher in oxygen into the lungs and removal of carbon dioxide