ABGs—arterial blood gases
AFB—acid-fast bacillus;
the type of organism that causes tuberculosis
ARDS—acute (formerly
adult) respiratory distress syndrome; a group of signs and symptoms including
tachypnea, dyspnea, tachycardia, hypoxemia, and cyanosis associated with acute
respiratory failure
BAL—bronchioalveolar
lavage
Bronch—bronchoscopy
CF—cystic fibrosis
CO2—carbon dioxide
COPD—chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease; airway obstruction associated with emphysema and chronic
bronchitis
CPAP—continuous positive
airway pressure
CPR—cardiopulmonary
resuscitation; three basic steps (ABC); Airway, Breathing, Circulation
C&S—culture and
sensitivity testing (of sputum)
CTPA—computed tomography
pulmonary angiography
CXR—chest x-ray [film]
DLCO—diffusion capacity of
the lung for carbon monoxide
DOE—dyspnea on exertion
DPT—diphtheria,
pertussis, tetanus; toxoids for vaccination of infants, to provide immunity to
these diseases
FEV1—forced expiratory
volume in 1 second
FVC—forced vital
capacity; amount of gas that can be forcibly and rapidly exhaled after a full
inspiration
HCO3—bicarbonate; measured
in blood to determine acidity or alkalinity
ICU—intensive care unit
LLL—left lower lobe (of
lung)
LUL—left upper lobe (of
lung)
MDI—metered-dose inhaler
- used to deliver aerosolized medications to patients
NSCLC—non-small cell lung
cancer
O2—oxygen
OSA—obstructive sleep
apnea
PaCO2—carbon dioxide
partial pressure; measure of the amount of carbon dioxide in arterial blood
PaO2—oxygen partial
pressure; a measure of the amount of oxygen in arterial blood
PCP—Pneumocystis
pneumonia; a type of pneumonia seen in patients with AIDs or other
immunosuppression
PE—pulmonary embolism
PEP—positive expiratory
pressure; mechanical ventilator strategy in which patient takes a deep breath
and then exhales through a device that resists air flow (helps refill
under ventilated areas of the lung)
PEEP—positive
end-expiratory pressure; common mechanical ventilator setting in which airway
pressure is maintained above atmospheric pressure
PFTs—pulmonary function
tests
PND—paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea
PPD—purified protein
derivative; substance used in a tuberculosis test
RDS—respiratory distress
syndrome; in the newborn infant, condition marked by dyspnea and cyanosis and
related to absence of surfactant, a substance that permits normal expansion of
lungs; also called hyalin membrane disease
RLL—right lower lobe (of
lung)
RSV—respiratory syncytial
virus - common cause of bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, and the common cold,
especially in children (in tissue culture, forms syncytia or giant cells, so
that cytoplasm flows together)
RUL—right upper lobe (of
lung)
RV—residual volume;
amount of air remaining in lungs at the end of maximal experimentation
SCLC—small cell lung
cancer
SOB—shortness of breath
TB—tuberculosis
TLC—total lung capacity;
volume of gas in the lungs at the end of maximal inspiration; equals VC + RV
URI—upper respiratory
infection
VT—tidal volume; amount
of air inhaled and exhaled during a normal ventilation
VATS—video-assisted
thoracic surgery (thoracoscopy)
VC--vital capacity;
equals inspiratory reserve volume plus expiratory reserve volume plus tidal
volume
V/Q scan—ventilation-perfusion
scan - radioactive test of lung ventilation and blood perfusion throughout the
lung capillaries (lung scan)
