Respiratory Therapy Glossary

Tracheostomy tube equipped with an inflatable balloon cuff to create a seal in the trachea for mechanical ventilation or...

Ventilation of lung areas where no gas exchange occurs, including anatomical and physiological dead space.

The planned removal of a tracheostomy tube when it is no longer medically necessary.

Pulmonary function test measuring the lung's ability to transfer gas from alveoli to pulmonary capillaries, typically us...

Dry Powder Inhaler, a breath-activated device that delivers medication as a fine powder without propellants or external...

The pressure difference between plateau pressure and PEEP, representing the pressure needed to deliver tidal volume to t...

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; a form of life support providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support outside...

Loss of tracheal seal due to air escaping around a deflated, damaged, or improperly positioned endotracheal tube cuff.

A technique using a balloon catheter placed in the esophagus to measure pleural pressure, providing accurate assessment...

End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring that measures CO2 concentration at the end of expiration.

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

Fraction of Inspired Oxygen; the concentration of oxygen in the air mixture delivered to a patient.

Ventilator sensitivity setting that initiates mechanical breaths based on patient-generated airflow changes rather than...

Graphical representation of airflow versus lung volume during forced expiration and inspiration, used to diagnose respir...

Functional residual capacity; the volume of air remaining in the lungs after normal, passive expiration.

Medical device that warms and moistens gas delivered to patients through artificial airways or oxygen therapy systems.

A respiratory support system delivering heated, humidified oxygen at high flow rates through nasal cannula.

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation that delivers very small tidal volumes at rapid rates to minimize lung injury.

An oxygen delivery system providing heated, humidified oxygen at high flow rates through specialized nasal prongs.

Elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, typically above 45 mmHg.

Abnormally low oxygen levels in arterial blood, typically defined as PaO2 less than 80 mmHg.

Medical condition characterized by insufficient oxygen levels in body tissues.

The ratio of inspiratory time to expiratory time in mechanical ventilation cycles.

A ventilation mode providing mandatory breaths at preset intervals while allowing spontaneous breathing between them.