Glossary of definitions, abbreviations, symbols and normal values

54 Pages·2013·7.45 MB·English

Glossary of definitions, abbreviations,
symbols and normal values
See also index for definitions in the text. a useful measure of aerobic capacity for
Values in [square brackets] are from the USA monitoring endurance training, but of
(all values are approximate). limited value in severe COPD because peak
2,3-DPG Enzyme in red blood cells, t in exercise levels are often reached below the
chronic hypoxaemia, shifting O2 dissociation anaerobic threshold. In normal subjects,
curve to right and allowing easier unload anaerobic threshold can be increased by
ing of O2 to hypoxic tissues. 25-40%.
A Alveolar, e.g. P A02. Angioplasty Invasive but non-surgical dila
a Arterial, e.g. Pa02. tation of coronary artery stenosis, using
ACBT Active cycle of breathing techniques. catheter via femoral puncture, or laser.
ACE inhibiters Angiotensin-converting en- Anoxia Synonymous with hypoxia, although
zyme inhibiter drugs, for hypertension, implying a more complete oxygen lack.
e.g. captopril, enalapril. AP Anteroposterior.
ACPRC Association of Chartered Physio APACHE Acute Physiology And Chronic
therapists in Respiratory Care. Health Evaluation (scoring system to meas
ADL Activities of daily living. ure severity of illness).
Adult respiratory distress syndrome Alterna Apgar score Combined measurement of heart
tive name for acute respiratory distress rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex
syndrome. irritability and colour (scoring system to
Aerosol Suspension of particles in a gas measure birth asphyxiation).
stream. Therapeutic aerosols are for Apneustic breathing Prolonged inspiration
humidification and drug delivery, other usually due to brain damage.
aerosols spread some lung infections and Apnoea Absence of breathing for > 10
allow damage from noxious agents. seconds.
AIDS Acquired immune deficiency syndrome. ARDS Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Air trapping Retention of inspired gas in Arteriovenous oxygen difference Assess
poorly ventilated areas of lung. ment of oxygen delivered to, and returning
Airway closure Closure of small airways, from, tissue, related to metabolic rate and
mostly in dependent lung regions during calculated from arterial and mixed venous
expiration. . blood samples.
Airway resistance Normal: 0.5-2.0 cmH20/llsec. Ascites Fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Albumin Plasma protein responsible for pro Aspiration (1) Inhalation of unwanted sub
viding most osmotic pressure in blood. stances (e.g. gastric acid, sea water) into
Normal: 40-60 gil, [4.0-6.0 g/100ml]. the lungs, or (2) therapeutic removal of
~ albumin suggests malnutrition, blood fluid or gas from a cavity such as the
loss, liver failure, nephrotic syndrome. pleural space.
Anaerobic threshold Highest oxygen con Atelectasis Alveolar collapse due to poor
sumption during exercise, above which lung expansion or complete obstruction of
sustained lactic acidosis occurs. Normally an airway.
Glossary 313
Base deficit Negative base excess. tures outside lung that participate in breath
Base excess (BE) Normal: from -2 to +2 ing movements.
mmolll. Closing capacity Volume at which airway
BB 'Blue bloater' patient. closure begins (as lung volume is reduced
Bicarbonate Normal 22-26 mmoUI. towards residual volume, dependent air
Biot's respiration Irregular cycles of deep ways begin to close); rises with age until it
gasps and apnoea. equals FRC at about 66 years in standing,
BiPAP Bi-Ievel positive airways pressure. 44 years in supine.
Bleb Collection of air under visceral pleura, Closing volume Closing capacity minus
outside alveoli (see also bulla). residual volume.
Blood culture Blood taken from a pyrexial Normal: 10% of vital capacity in young
patient to identify responsible micro people with normal lungs.
organism. Age 65: 40% of Vc.
bpm Beats per minute. Increases (i.e. becomes a greater propor
Bradypnoea Slow breathing. tion of FRC) with small airways dis
Bronchomalacia Degeneration of elastic and ease, smoking and extremes of age.
connective tissue of trachea and bronchi. Clotting studies
Bulla Collection of air inside distended Platelet count
alveoli, over 1 em in diameter, caused by Normal: 140000-400000 mm-3•
alveolar destruction (see also bleb). Low enough to cause spontaneous bleed
CABG Coronary artery bypass graft. ing: 20000-30000.
Cachectic Emaciated. Prothrombin time (PT)
CAL Chronic airflow limitation, i.e. COPD. Normal: 12-30 seconds.
Calcium Normal: 2.2-2.6 mmoUI. Expressed as internalized normalized ratio
CCF Congestive cardiac failure. (INR)
Ca02 Arterial oxygen content. Normal: < 1-1.3.
Normal: 17-20 mU100ml. If on warfarin: 4--4.5 (pulmonary em
Cardiac enzymes Enzymes released from bolus), 2-4 (myocardial infarct), 1.8
damaged heart muscle after myocardial (postoperative ).
infarction. With DIC: up to 1.5-2.2.
Cardiac index Cardiac output divided by Expressed as activated partial thrombo
body surface area. plastin time (PIT)
Normal 2.5-3.5 Uminlm2• Normal: 25-35 seconds.
Cardiac output (0) Heart rate x stroke DIC: 50 seconds.
volume (stroke volume depends on pre CMV Controlled mandatory ventilation.
load, afterload and contractility), i.e. CNS Central nervous system.
amount of blood ejected by left ventricle CO Cardiac output.
per minute. COAD Chronic obstructive airways disease
Normal; 4-6 Umin at rest, up to 25 Umin on (= COPD).
exercise. Collateral ventilation Exchange of inspired
Catecholamines Collective term for com gas between adjacent lung units.
pounds having a sympathomimetic action, Colostomy Surgical creation of opening into
e.g. adrenaline. large bowel.
CF Cystic fibrosis. Compliance of lung Change in volume in
Chest wall Rib cage, diaphragm, abdominal response to change in pressure (aV/ap).
contents and abdominal wall, i.e. struc- Normal: 0.09-0.40 UcmH 0.
2
314 Glossary
Compliance of lung measured on IPPV Erythrocytosis Polycythaemia.
tida.l volume _ PEEP. ETC02 End-tidal CO2•
plateau aIrway pressure Normal: 4-6%.
Consolidation Replacement of alveolar air by EIT Endotracheal tube.
substance of greater density than air. Eucapnia Normal PaC02•
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary dis- FBC Full blood count.
ease.
FEF25-75 Forced expiratory flow in middle half of
CPAP Continuous positive airways pressure.
expiration.
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
FET Forced expiration technique.
Creatinine Electrolyte in plasma or urine,
FEV Forced expiratory volume in one second.
1
formed from muscle breakdown, excreted
by kidneys. FP2 Fraction of inspired oxygen (F102 of 0.6 =
60% inspired oxygen).
Normal in plasma: 50-100 fLmol/l, [0.6-
FRC Functional residual capacity.
1.2 mg/100 mIl.
i in hypovolaemia or kidney failure, FVC Forced vital capacity.
i i in septic shock. Glottis Vocal apparatus of the larynx.
Glucose level in blood
CSF Cerebral spinal fluid.
CT Computed tomography. Normal: 3.0-5.5 mmolll.
CV02 Venous oxygen content. i in stress, i i in diabetis mellitus, ~ in
Normal: 12-15 ml/100 ml. liver failure or starvation.
CVP Central venous pressure. Goodpasture's syndrome Combination of lung
Normal: 1-6 mmHg or 5-12 cmH 0. haemorrhage and nephritis.
2
CXR Chest X-ray. GOR Gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Dehydration low blood volume (see also Haematocrit (packed cell volume) Concentra
hypovolaemia) tion of red blood cells in blood, indicates
DIC Disseminated intravascular coagulation. oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid. Normal: 40-45%.
DNR Do not rescusitate. ~ in anaemia, i.e. < 38%, i in poly
D02 See oxygen delivery. cythaemia, i.e. > 55%.
Duty cycle See Tlf
TOT• Haemoglobin (Hb) Respiratory pigment in red
DVT Deep vein thrombosis.
blood cells, combines reversibly with oxygen.
Dysphagia Pain and/or difficulty in swallow-
Normal for men: 14.0-18.0 g/100 mI.
ing.
Normal for women: 11.5-15.5 g/100 mI.
ECC02R Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal.
~ in anaemia, i in polycythaemia.
ECG Electrocardiogram.
Hb Haemoglobin, see above.
ECMO Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
HCO- Bicarbonate.
-ectomy Removal. 3
HDU High dependency unit.
EIA Exercise-induced asthma.
HFV High frequency ventilation.
ER02 See oxygen extraction ratio.
HFJV High frequency jet ventilation.
Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure Left
HFO High frequency oscillation.
ventricular preload.
Endotoxin Pyrogenic toxin in bacterial cell which HFPPV High frequency positive pressure vent-
increases capillary permeability. ilation.
Endotoxic shock Septic shock. HIV Human immunodeficiency virus.
Eosinophil White blood cell associated with HLT Heart lung transplant.
hypersensitivity reactions, i in allergies such H:L ratio Ratio of power in high and low
as extrinsic asthma. frequency bands of electromyogram of
Glossary 315
respiratory muscle, t with respiratory muscle expiratory position.
fatigue. Inspiratory:expiratory ratio Numerical expres
HME Heat moisture exchanger. sion of duration of inspiration relative to
HR Heart rate. expiration.
Hypematraemia i serum sodium. Inspiratory force See MIP.
Hyperosmolar Containing high concentration of IMV Intermittent mandatory ventilation.
osmotically active ingredients. Intrapulmonary pressure Alveolar pressure
Hyperreactivity of the airways Heightened (p.4).
sensitivity to a variety of stimuli, prominent in Intrathoracic pressure Pleural pressure (p. 4).
asthma, sometimes present in COPD, bron IPPB Intermittent positive pressure breathing.
chiectasis, CF, sarcoidosis, LVE IPPV Intermittent positive pressure ventila-
Hyperthermia Core temperature > 4OSC. tion.
Hyperventilation CO2 removal in excess of CO2 IRT Immune reactive trypsin - antibody
production, producing PaC0 < 4.7 kPa identified in CF screening.
2
(35mmHg). IRV Inspiratory reserve volume.
Hypokalaemia t potassium. IVOX Intravascular oxygenation
Hypopnoea Shallow slow breathing. JVP Jugular venous pressure.
Hypoventilation CO2 production in excess of K See potassium.
CO removal, producing PaC0 > 6.0 kPa Kartagena's syndrome Triad of bronchiecta
2 2
(45mmHg). sis, sinusitis and dextrocardia, associated
Hypovolaemia Low blood volume, with adverse with primary ciliary dyskinesia.
haemodynamic outcome. kPa Kilopascal.
Hypoxia classifications Kussmaul breathing Deep sighing breathing
Hypoxaemic hypoxia: due to t PaOz, often seen in patients with metabolic aci
Anaemic hypoxia: due to t Hb in blood, or dosis.
t ability of Hb to carry oxygen e.g. I Litre
anaemia, sickle cell anaemia, Lactate in blood (serum lactate)
Hypoperfusion or stagnant hypoxia: due to Normal: < 1 mmol/l.
t 00 e.g. heart failure, PVD, vaso Severe oxygen debt, poor prognosis
21
constriction. 2.5-3.0.
Histotoxic hypoxia: due to inability of Laparotomy Surgical incision through
damaged tissues to accept oxygen de abdominal wall.
livered, e.g. cyanide poisoning, septic Larynx Cylindrical tube connecting pharynx
shock. and trachea, formed by cartilages and
IABP Intra-aortic balloon pump. containing vocal cords.
Iatrogenic Causing or exacerbating a problem by Left ventricular end-diastolic volume
medical intervention. (L VEDV) Determinant of preload, depends
ICP Intracranial pressure. on venous return to left ventricle, circulating
lCU Intensive care unit. blood volume and efficiency of left atrial
I:E See inspiratory:expiratory ratio. contraction.
Ileostomy Surgical creation of an opening into LVEDV See above.
the ileum. LVF Left ventricular failure.
Infection Presence of micro-organisms or their IJ-m Micron, i.e. lO-6 m.
products invading normally sterile tissue (see MAP Mean arterial pressure.
also sepsis). Mast cells Connective tissue cells involved in
Inspiratory capacity Volume inspired during hypersensitivity reactions, which release
maximum inspiration from resting end- histamine in response to specific stimuli.
316 Glossary
MOl Metered dose inhaler. while working with industrial substances.
Mean arterial pressure Average arterial blood OHFO Oral high frequency oscillation.
pressure. Oliguria ~ urine output, i.e. < 20 mllh
Normal: 65-100 mmHg. (normal 50-60 mVh).
Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) -os copy Visual examination of interior of an
Amount of Hb in red blood cells. organ.
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) Reflects size Osmolality Number of osmotically active
of red blood cells. particles per kg of solvent.
~ MCV (small RBCs): iron deficiency. Osmolarity Number of osmotically active
t MCV (large RBCs): vitamin B12 or folate particles per litre of solution.
deficiency. -ostomy Formation of artificial opening on to
MEFso Maximum expiratory flow in mid skin surface.
expiration. -otomy Incision.
MEP Maximal expiratory pressure. Oxygen consumption (V02) Amount of oxy
Normal: 100 cmH20. gen consumed by tissues each minute.
< 40 cmH20: inadequate cough. Normal at rest: 250 mVmin (if contribut
MET (metabolic energy expenditure) Metabolic ing values normal, i.e. CO 5 Vmin, Hb
unit representing amount of oxygen con 15 g/100 ml, 5a02 97%, 5,,0275%).
sumed at rest. 600 mVmin: critical illness; 3600 mVmin:
Normal 3.5 m1 oxygen/kg body weight! maximum exercise in unfit males;
min. 5000 mVmin: maximum exercise in fit
Maximum MET levels (multiples of resting males.
V02) - estimated V02 max -;- resting Oxygen delivery (D02) Volume of oxygen
V02• delivered to tissues each minute.
MI Myocardial infarction, i.e. death of portion of Normal: 550-1000 mVmin.
heart muscle due to myocardial ischaemia. Calculation: cardiac output x arterial
MIP Maximum inspiratory pressure (assessment oxygen content.
of respiratory muscle strength). Oxygen demand Amount of oxygen needed
Normal: minus 100-130 cmH20 (men), by cells for aerobic metabolism, estimated
minus 70-100 cmH20 (women). by measurement of V02•
Typical value in hypercapnic COPD: Oxygen extraction ratio Ratio of oxygen
minus 55 (men), minus 40 (women). consumption to oxygen delivery (V021002),
Minus 20: poor weaning outcome, minus indicating efficiency of tissues in extracting
0-20: inadequate cough. oxygen.
MMEF Maximum mid-expiratory flow. Normal: 25%.
mmHg Millimetres of mercury. > 35% implies excessively high oxygen
MMV Mandatory minute ventilation. extraction to meet metabolic needs.
Mucoviscidosis Cystic fibrosis. Calculation: cardiac output -;- Ca02.
Neutrophils Cells which release tissue Oxygen flux % oxygen that reaches tissues.
damaging enzymes as part of inflammatory Oxygen transport Oxygen delivery.
process. Oxygen uptake Oxygen consumption.
NFR Not for resuscitation. Ozone Gas that provides a protective layer to
NIPPV Nasal (or non-invasive) intermittent the earth's atmosphere, but at ground level
positive pressure ventilation. it causes inflammation in people with
NSAID Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. hyperreactive airways.
Occupational lung disease Disease due to Pso P02 at which 50% of haemoglobin in
inhalation of dust, particles, fumes or gases blood is saturated with oxygen, quantifies
Glossary 317
shift in dissociation curve (high value PCWP Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
suggests slow affinity of Hb for oxygen). (= PAWP).
Normal: 27-28 mmHg. PD Postural drainage.
PA Posteroanterior. PE Pulmonary embolus.
P A-a02 (alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient) PEEP Positive end-expiratory pressure.
Difference in partial pressures of alveolar PEFR Peak expiratory flow rate (peak flow).
oxygen (P A02) and arterial oxygen (Pa02)' P Maximum expiratory pressure at the
Emax
Normal on room air: < 10 mmHg (re- mouth.
flecting normal anatomical shunt). PEP Positive expiratory pressure.
i in respiratory disease (due to ~ VA /Q pH Hydrogen ion.
mismatch), Phlebotomy/venesection Therapeutic with
i on exercise (up to 20-30 mmHg), i in drawal of blood.
the elderly (up to 30 mmHg), i on PImax Maximum inspiratory pressure at the
supplemental oxygen (up to 100 mmHg mouth (see MIP).
on 100% oxygen). PIP Peak inspiratory pressure.
Pack years Number of years of smoking Plasma osmolarity Normal: 280--300 m osmolll.
multiplied by number of packs smoked -plasty Reconstruction.
each day, e.g. smoking one pack a day for Platelet count See clotting studies.
30 years = 30 pack year history. Platypnoea Difficulty breathing while sitting
Packed cell volume See PCV. up.
Pancoast's tumour Tumour of upper lobe Plethoric Florid complexion due to excess red
affecting brachial plexus, sometimes indic blood cells.
ated by wasting of small muscles of the Pneumonitis Inflammation of lung tissue due
hand. to chemical or physical insult.
Pa02 Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial Polysomnography Recording of physiological
blood. parameters during sleep.
PaC02 Partial pressure of CO2 in arterial Polyuria i urine output, i.e. > 100 mllh.
blood. POMR Problem oriented medical record.
PAP Peak airways pressure (= peak inspir Potassium (K) Electrolyte in plasma or urine.
atory pressure). Normal in plasma: 3.5--5.0 mmolll.
PAP Pulmonary artery pressure. ~ K (hypokalaemia) predisposes to car
Normal: 10-20 mmHg. diac arrhythmias, i K (hyperkalaemia)
Parenchyma Gas exchanging part of lung, suggests kidney failure.
largely alveolar tissue. Poudrage Pleurodesis.
Parenchymal lung disease Disease affecting PP 'Pink puffer' patient.
alveolar walls, e.g. interstitial lung disease, Prader-Willi syndrome Combination of
pneumonia, pulmonary TB, ARDS. obesity, hypotonia and impaired cognitive
PAWP Pulmonary artery wedge pressure. ability, associated with respiratory prob
Normal: 5--12 mmHg. lems due to reduced diaphragmatic excur
Paw Mean airway pressure. sion, upper airway soft-tissue collapse and
PCA Patient controlled analgesia. sleep apnoea.
PCP Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. PT Prothrombin time (see clotting studies).
PCV Packed cell volume. Psittacosis Infectious disease of birds trans
Normal: 0.40-0.50 (men), 0.36--0.47 mitted to humans as atypical pneumonia.
(women). PtC02 transcutaneous oxygen tension.
i in polycythaemia, ~ in anaemia. PtcC02 Transcutaneous carbon-dioxide ten
Equivalent to haematocrit. sion.
318 Glossary
PTT Partial prothrombin time (see clotting QT cardiac output.
studies). Radiolabelling Monitoring of mucus clear
Pulmonary hypertension i pulmonary ance by inhalation of radiolabelled aero so
artery pressure, i.e. > 25 mmHg (mean) land following up its clearance by gamma
atrest or 30 mmHg on exercise, in presence camera.
of cardiac output < 5 l!min. RAP Right atrial pressure.
Pulmonary vascular resistance Normal: Raynaud's phenomenon of the lung Vaso
25-125 dyn.s.cm-5. spasm in the lungs associated with Ray
Pulse pressure Difference between systolic naud's syndrome.
and diastolic pressures (raised in hyperten REM (rapid eye movement) sleep Most
sion), related to stroke volume, therefore restorative phase of sleep cycle.
gives indication of blood flow. Resection Surgical cutting out.
Normal: 40-70 mmHg.
Respiratory inductive plethysmography
20 mmHg: dangerously poor tissue per
Spirometry for ventilated patients, includ
fusion.
ing measurement of lung volume to detect
Pulsus paradoxus Transient drop in systolic
intrinsic PEEP. CO d d
pressure on inspiration due to expansion of Respiratory quotient (RQ) 2 pro uce d.
pulmonary vascular bed on inspiration. oxygen consume
Normal: 10 mmHg. Normal: 0.8, expired minute volume
> 10 mmHg = severe acute asthma (due being slightly less than inspired
to laboured breathing causing excess minute volume because less CO2 is
negative pressure in chest) or cardiac excreted than O2 absorbed.
tamponade. RFTs Respiratory function tests.
Pump (ventilatory/respiratory) Muscles and RQ See respiratory quotient.
nerves of respiration, chest wall, respir RR Respiratory rate.
atory centre. RT A Road traffic accident.
PVD Peripheral vascular disease. Sa02 Saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen.
PV02 mixed venous oxygen tension. Sepsis Clinical response characterized by i
Normal: 35-40 mmHg. temperature and WBC, caused usually but
Minimum acceptable: 28 mmHg. not always by infection.
PVC02 mixed venous CO2 tension, Sepsis syndrome Preseptic shock state.
Normal: 46 mmHg. SGAW Specific airways conductance.
Q blood flow. Shunt Perfusion without ventilation (see
Q02 Oxygen delivery (alternative abbreviation Qs/Qt).
to 002). SIMV Synchronized intermittent mandatory
QRS complex The deflection of the ECG ventilation.
caused by depolarization of the ventricles, Small airways Terminal and respiratory
consisting of an upward, or positive deflec bronchioles, i.e. less than 1 mm diameter,
tion (R) preceded and followed by negative unsupported by cartilage and therefore
deflection (Q and S). influenced by transmitted pleural pres
QS shunted blood. sures.
Qs/Qt shunt, i.e. fraction of cardiac output SOB Shortness of breath.
not exposed to gas exchange in pulmonary Sodium (Na) Electrolyte in plasma or urine.
capillary bed, measured by comparing Normal in plasma: 135-147 mmo1Jl, [135-
arterial and mixed venous blood. 147 mEqIl].
Normal: 2-4%. ! Na (hyponatraemia): excess water
20%: respiratory failure, 50%: ARDS. administration or inappropriate ADH
Glossary 319
secretion, t Na (hypernatraemia): Transthoracic pressure Pressure across chest
dehydration. wall, i.e. pleural pressure minus atmos
Standard bicarbonate Bicarbonate corrected pheric pressure.
for a normal PaC02, similar to bicarbonate Trendelenburg position Head down tilt.
in a person with normal acid-base status. Torr Measurement of pressure used in the
Sternotomy Surgical cutting through the USA, equivalent to mmHg.
sternum. U & E Urea and electrolytes.
Surgical emphysema Subcutaneous emphys Urea Electrolyte in plasma or urine, formed
ema. from protein breakdown and excreted by
Surfactant Phospholipid protein complex kidneys.
that lines alveoli, lowers surface tension Normal in plasma: 3-7 mmolll.
and maintains patency. >8 dehydration; 18-20: hypovolaemia;
SVR See systemic vascular resistance. 55: kidney failure.
SV02 Mixed venous oxygen saturation. V Volume of gas.
Normal: 75%. VAS Visual analogue scale.
Syncope Transient loss of consciousness, e.g. v Venous.
v
faint. Volume of gas per unit time, i.e. flow (dot
Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) indicates time derivative).
Normal: 800-1400 dyn.s.cm-s. v Mixed venous (line indicates mean or
Calculation: (MAP-CVP/cardiac output) mixed value).
X 79.9. Vso Flow rate half-way through expiration.
< 300 suggests septic shock. VA /Q Ratio of alveolar ventilation to perfu
TED Thromboembolic disease. sion.
Tension-time index Measurement of inspir Normal: 0.8 (411min for alveolar vent-
atory muscle fatigue (Ramonatxo 1995). ilation, 51/min for perfusion).
Thoracoplasty Surgery used historically for VC Vital capacity.
pulmonary TB, involving rib resection and Vn Volume of dead space gas.
localized lung collapse to allow healing. VnlV Dead space in relation to tidal volume.
T
Thrombocytopaenia ~ platelet count. Normal: 0.3-0.4, i.e. 30-40% of each
T1/TTOT Respiratory duty cycle, i.e. ratio of breath does not contribute to gas
inspiratory to total respiratory cycle time, exchange.
short T1 in relation to TT OT indicating ~ 0.6: critical increase in VD•
t
tidal volume and dead space, suggesting VF Ventricular fibrillation.
inspiratory muscle fatigue. V (Expired) minute volume.
E
TLC Total lung capacity. Normal: 5-711min.
TLCO Total lung transfer capacity for carbon 200 lImin has been recorded on exercise.
monoxide. VC0 Carbon dioxide production.
2
TPN Total parenteral nutrition. V0 See oxygen consumption.
2
Tracheal tube Endotracheal or tracheostomy V0 ID0 See oxygen extraction ratio.
2 2
tube. V0 max Oxygen consumption at maximum
2
Tracheostomy Artificial opening into the exertion, reflecting aerobic capacity.
trachea. Increases with fitness, declines with
Tracheotomy Operative formation of a tra advancing age but rate of decline is slower
cheostomy. in physically active people.
Transairway pressure Pressure between Normal: > 25 mllkg/min, or 25 times the
mouth and alveoli. resting level.
Normal: 5 cmH 0. See also anaerobic threshold.
2
320 Glossary
V Tidal volume. Conversion of mmHg to kPa
T
Valsalva manoeuvre Expiration against mmHg = kPa x 7.5.
closed glottis. mmHg kPa
Vasopressor drug Drug that causes vasocon 150 20
striction of capillaries and arteries. 120 16
WBC See white blood cell count. 105 14
Wegener's granulomatosis Triad of upper 90 12
respiratory tract lesions, pulmonary dis 75 10
ease and glomerulonephritis. 60 8
Well-year of life Concept which includes 40 5
morbidity and mortality, e.g. if disease 30 4
reduces quality of life by a half over 2 15 2
years, patient has lost one full well-year.
Conversation of mmHg to cmH 0
White blood cell count (WBC) 2
Normal: 4-10 X 109/1, [4000--10 OOO/mm--3].
mmHg cmH 0
WOB Work of breathing. 2
5 6.8
10 13.6
20 27.2
30 40.7
40 54.3
Appendix A: Transatlantic dictionary
British North American
Adrenaline Epinephrine
Accident and Emergency (A & E) Emergency Room (ER)
ASAP (as soon as possible) Stat
Cardiac arrest Code
Chest drains Chest tubes
Chronic obstructive airways diseases Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Community care Home care
Consultant Staff person
Drip IV
Drugs Medication
Entonox Nitronox (USA)
ECG EKG
Frame Walker
General practice Primary care/family practice
Hospital Health Sciences CenteriFacility
Houseman/woman Intern
Lignocaine Lidocaine
mm of Hg (unit of pressure) torr
Nil by mouth NPO
Patient's notes Patient's chart
Passive or active movements Range of motion
Peak expiratory flow rate Maximum expiratory flow rate
Queue Line up
Referral Consult
Registrar Resident
Respiratory physiotherapist Part physical therapist, part respiratory therapist (USA)
RTA (road traffic accident) MY A (motor vehicle accident)
Salbutamol Albuterol (USA)
Sluice Utility room
Splint Cast
Stick Cane
Theatre Operating room or OR
Walk or mobilize Ambulate
Ward Floor
1st floor 2nd floor