Glossary of Terms

Advance care directive
Specific instructions, prepared in advance, that are intended to direct medical care for persons if they become unable to do so in the future.

ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
ARDS is a life-threatening condition in which inflammation of the lungs and accumulation of fluid in the alveoli (air sacs) leads to low oxygen levels.

Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which a tube with a tiny camera on the end is inserted through the nose or mouth into the lungs.

CPR
CPR is an emergency lifesaving procedure that is performed when a person´s own breathing or heartbeat have stopped, such as in cases of electric shock or drowning.

Endoscopy
An endoscope is a device consisting of a flexible tube and an optical system

Endotracheal intubation
Introducing a tube into the trachea to provide an open airway to administer gaseous medication, oxygen, or anesthetics.

Sputum Gram stain
This is a method of staining microorganisms (bacteria) using a special series of stains.

Stomach tube insertion
This is an insertion of a feeding tube into the stomach.

Swan-Ganz - right heart catheterization
The passage of a catheter (a thin flexible tube) into the right side of the heart to obtain diagnostic information about the heart and for continuous monitoring of heart function in critically ill patients.

Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is an opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea (windpipe).

Urinary catheter(foley)
Any tube system placed in the body to drain and collect urine from the bladder.

Vital signs
Signs of life. Physical signs such as heart beat, respiratory rate, temperature, and blood pressure indicate that an individual is alive