What it means
The breathing part of respiration: air moving in (inhalation) and out (exhalationeks-huh-LAY-shunBreathing out: moving air out of the lungs.ex- outhalat breathe-ion actionFull entry ). Good ventilation needs an open airway, working breathing muscles and lungs that can expand. Gas exchange, the passing of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveolusal-VEE-uh-lus (plural alveoli, al-VEE-uh-ly)One of the tiny air sacs at the ends of the smallest airways in the lungs.Full entry and blood, is a separate step. When a person cannot breathe enough on their own, a machine can do it (mechanical ventilationmeh-KAN-ih-kul ven-tuh-LAY-shunBreathing support from a machine, a ventilator, that pushes air into the lungs through a tube or a mask.Full entry ).
For the nurse
Judge ventilation by the rate, depth and effort of breathing, chest movement, lung sounds and the carbon dioxide level. Poor ventilation raises carbon dioxide (hypercapniahy-per-KAP-nee-uhToo much carbon dioxide in the blood, a PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg.hyper- abovecapn/o carbon dioxide-ia conditionFull entry ).
At a glance
| Spanish | ventilación |
|---|---|
| Also written | ventilate, ventilating, ventilatory |
Related terms
perfusion
The flow of blood through the body's tissues, bringing them oxygen and nutrients.
respiration
Breathing air in and out, and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air, the blood and the cells.
mechanical ventilation
Breathing support from a machine, a ventilator, that pushes air into the lungs through a tube or a mask.
inhalation
Breathing in; also, a way of giving a drug as a mist or powder that is breathed into the lungs.
exhalation
Breathing out: moving air out of the lungs.
hypercapnia
Too much carbon dioxide in the blood, a PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg.