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Respiratory Therapy Glossary

100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

extubation

Intermediate Technical IVT

The planned removal of an endotracheal tube from a patient who has been mechanically ventilated.

Showing 49–72 of 100

inspiratory capacity

Professional Technical IVT

Maximum volume of air a person can inhale after a normal expiration.

Technical Term Full entry →

inspiratory hold

Intermediate Technical IVT

A ventilator maneuver that pauses airflow at end-inspiration to measure plateau pressure and calculate lung compliance.

Technical Term Full entry →

intubation

Intermediate Technical IVT

Insertion of an endotracheal tube through the vocal cords to establish a secure airway.

Technical Term Full entry →

IPPB

Intermediate Technical IVT

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing therapy that delivers pressurized breaths to help expand lungs and mobilize sec...

Abbreviation Full entry →

maximum inspiratory pressure

Advanced Technical IVT

Test measuring the strongest negative pressure a patient can generate during maximum inspiratory effort, assessing respi...

Technical Term Full entry →

MEP

Advanced Technical IVT

Maximum Expiratory Pressure measurement that assesses respiratory muscle strength during forced expiration against resis...

Abbreviation Full entry →

minute ventilation

Intermediate Technical IVT

The total volume of air inhaled and exhaled per minute, calculated as tidal volume multiplied by respiratory rate.

Technical Term Full entry →

MIP

Intermediate Technical IVT

Maximum inspiratory pressure measurement that assesses respiratory muscle strength and readiness for extubation.

Technical Term Full entry →

neurally adjusted ventilatory assist

Professional Technical IVT

A ventilation mode that uses the electrical activity of the diaphragm to trigger and control mechanical breaths, providi...

Technical Term Full entry →

NIPPV

Intermediate Technical IVT

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation delivered through a mask or nasal interface without intubation.

Technical Term Full entry →

oximetry

Intermediate Technical IVT

Non-invasive measurement of oxygen saturation in blood using light absorption principles.

Technical Term Full entry →

oxygen blender

Intermediate Technical IVT

Medical device that precisely mixes oxygen and compressed air to deliver specific oxygen concentrations for patient ther...

Technical Term Full entry →

oxygen concentrator

Intermediate Technical IVT

Medical device that extracts and concentrates oxygen from ambient air for therapeutic delivery.

Technical Term Full entry →

P/F ratio

Intermediate Technical IVT

The ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen, used to assess oxygenation efficiency.

Technical Term Full entry →

peak airway pressure

Intermediate Technical IVT

The highest pressure reached in the airways during mechanical ventilation, reflecting both airway resistance and lung co...

Technical Term Full entry →

peak expiratory flow rate

Intermediate Technical IVT

Maximum flow rate achieved during forced expiration, measured to assess airway obstruction and monitor respiratory condi...

Technical Term Full entry →

PEEP

Professional Technical IVT

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure; a ventilator setting that maintains pressure in the lungs at the end of expiration.

Technical Term Full entry →

PEEP titration

Advanced Technical IVT

The systematic adjustment of positive end-expiratory pressure to optimize oxygenation while minimizing lung injury.

Technical Term Full entry →

permissive hypercapnia

Advanced Technical IVT

A lung-protective strategy allowing elevated CO2 levels to avoid ventilator-induced lung injury from high pressures or v...

Technical Term Full entry →

PIP

Intermediate Technical IVT

The highest pressure reached in the airway during the inspiratory phase of mechanical ventilation.

Abbreviation Full entry →

plateau pressure

Intermediate Technical IVT

The airway pressure measured during an end-inspiratory hold, reflecting alveolar pressure and respiratory system complia...

Technical Term Full entry →

plethysmography

Advanced Technical IVT

Pulmonary function test performed in a sealed chamber to measure lung volumes and airway resistance using pressure and f...

Technical Term Full entry →

pneumothorax

Intermediate Technical IVT

The presence of air in the pleural space, causing partial or complete lung collapse.

Technical Term Full entry →

postural drainage

Intermediate Technical IVT

Chest physiotherapy technique using gravity-assisted positioning to mobilize and drain pulmonary secretions from specifi...

Technical Term Full entry →
Showing 49–72 of 100

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