Key Terms

To get the quickest and best results with RCsources, you must use a controlled vocabulary of key terms. RCsources records are indexed using several thousand key terms, most being equivalent to the NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). On this page you will find the thousand or so most commonly used key terms helpful in conducting both advanced and quick searches. To find the term you want, first click below for a list of terms beginning with that letter of the alphabet. If your do not find your term in the alphabetical list, try a few synonyms or use the Search or Find Menu function of your browser to locate your term on this page. To return to the top of this page, click the found at the end of each letter list. If you plan to search RCsources frequently, print or save this file. Click here to return to the RCsources Main Page.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I-J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W-Z

    A

AARC

ACE Inhibitors

Acetylcysteine

Acid-Base Balance

Acidosis, Lactic

Acidosis, Metabolic

Acidosis, Respiratory

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A/C; Assist-Control Ventilation - Use Patient-Triggered Ventilation

Adenosine

Adenocarcinoma

Adenovirus Infections

Administration, Inhalation

Administration, Intranasal

Aerosols

Aerosol Propellants

alpha-Adrenergic Agonists

alpha-Adrenergic Antagonists

Aerosol Propellants

Aging

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections

Air Pollution

Albuterol

Alkalosis, Metabolic

Alkalosis, Respiratory

alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Alprostadil

Alteplase

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic

Amantadine

Amiloride

Aminophylline

Amiodarone

Amniocentesis

Amphotericin B

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Anaphylaxis

Anemia

Anemia, Sickle Cell

Angina Pectoris

Angiography

Angioplasty

Anoxemia

Anoxia

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents

Anti-HIV Agents

Antibiotics (Aerosol)

Anticoagulants

Antifungal Agents

Antihypertensive Agents

Antineoplastic Agents

Antioxidants

Antitubercular Agents

Antitussive Agents

Antiviral Agents

Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic Valve

APACHE

Apgar Score

Apnea

APRV (Airway Pressure Release Ventilation)

ARDS (Acute/Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome)

Arrhythmias

Artificial Airways

Aspergillosis

Asphyxia Neonatorum

Aspiration

Asthma

Asthma, Exercise-Induced

ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials)

Atelectasis

Atracurium

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Flutter

Atropine

Auscultation

auto-PEEP

    B

Bacteremia

Bacterial Infections

Balloon Dilatation

Barbiturates

Barotrauma

BCG Vaccine

Beclomethasone

Benchmarking

Berylliosis

beta-Adrenergic Agonists

beta-Adrenergic Antagonists

Bicarbonates

Biofeedback

Biopsy, Needle

BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure)

Bitolterol

Blastomycosis

Blood-Borne Pathogens

Blood Chemical Analysis

Blood Gas Analysis

Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous

Blood Pressure Monitoring

Blood Specimen Collection

Body Temperature

Body Water

Body Weight

Bordetella pertussis

Botulism

Brain Injuries

Breathing Exercises

Bretylium

Bronchial Circulation

Bronchial Diseases

Bronchial Hygiene Therapy

Bronchial Neoplasms

Bronchial Provocation Tests

Bronchial Spasm

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Bronchitis

Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Bronchoconstriction

Bronchodilator Agents

Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Bronchography

Bronchopneumonia

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchoscopy

Brucellosis

Budesonide

Buffers

Burkholderia Infections

Burns

Burns, Inhalation

BVM (Bag-Valve-Mask Ventilation)

Byssinosis

    C

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calorimetry, Indirect

Candidiasis

Capnography

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

Carboxyhemoglobin

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic

Carcinoma, Non-Small Cell Lung

Cardiac Glycosides

Cardiac Output

Cardiac Pacing

Cardiac Surgery

Cardiac Tamponade

Cardiomyoplasty

Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures

Catheterization, Central Venous

Catheterization, Swan-Ganz

Catheters, Indwelling

Catheters, Vascular

Central Nervous System Diseases

Central Nervous System Infections

Central Venous Pressure

Cephalosporins

Cerebral Aneurysm

Cerebral Anoxia

Cerebral Embolism and Thrombosis

Cerebral Hemorrhage

Cerebral Ischemia

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrovascular Accident

Chest Pain

Chest Physical Therapy

Chest Tubes

Chest X-Rays

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

Chlamydia Infections

Chlorofluorocarbons

Cholinergic Agonists

Cholinergic Antagonists

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Use COPD

Chylothorax

Ciliary Motility Disorders

Clinical Protocols

Closing Volume

Clostridium Infections

CMV (Controlled Mechanical Ventilation)

Coccidioidomycosis

Cockroaches

Cold

Community-Acquired Infections

Computer Graphics

Congestive Heart Failure - Use Heart Failure, Congestive

Conscious Sedation

Consensus Development Conferences

Consumer Advocacy

Control of Breathing

COPD - see also Lung Diseases, Obstructive

Coronary Angiography

Coronary Arteriosclerosis

Coronary Artery Bypass

Corynebacterium Infections

Cost Control

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Costs and Cost Analysis

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

CPT - use Bronchial Hygiene Therapy

Critical Pathways

Cromolyn Sodium

Cross Infection

Croup

Cryptococcosis

Cultural Diversity

Cyanides

Cyclosporins

Cystic Fibrosis

Cytomegalovirus Infections

    D

Decompression Sickness

Defibrillation

Deoxyribonuclease (DNase)

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact

Dexamethasone

Diagnosis, Laboratory

Diagnosis, Radiographic

Diagnostic Imaging

Diaphragm

Diet

Digitalis Glycosides

Digoxin

Diphtheria

Disease Transmission

Disinfectants

Disinfection

Disposable Equipment

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Diuretics

Dobutamine

Dopamine

Doxapram

DPI (Dry Powder Inhaler)

Drowning

Drug Resistance

Ductus Arteriosus

Dyspnea

    E

ECCO2R

Echocardiography

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)

Edrophonium

Eicosanoids

Electric Countershock

Electric Injuries

Electrocardiography

Electrolytes

Electromyography

Embolism, Air

Embolism, Amniotic Fluid

Embolism, Fat

Emergencies

Emphysema

Empyema

Endarterectomy

Endocarditis

Endoscopy

Endotoxins

Endotracheal Tubes

Enteral Nutrition

Enterobacter Infections

Enterovirus Infections

Environmental Exposure

Epiglottitis

Epinephrine

Epistaxis

Equipment Design

Equipment Failure

Equipment Reuse

Equipment Safety

Ergometry

Erythrocytosis

Escherichia coli Infections

Ethacrynic Acid

Ethylene Oxide

Exercise Physiology

Exercise Test

Exercise Therapy

Expectorants

Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis

Extubation

    F

Fenoterol

Fentanyl

Fetal Anoxia

Fetal Blood

Fetal Diseases

Fetal Distress

Fetal Growth Retardation

Fetal Hemoglobin

Fetal Monitoring

Fetal Organ Maturity

Fever

Fiberoptics

Flail Chest

Fluid-Electrolyte Balance

Flunisolide - Use Fluocinolone

Fluocinolone

Fluticasone

Forced Expiratory Flow Rates

Forced Expiratory Volume

Foreign Bodies

Formoterol

Free Radicals

Functional Residual Capacity

Fungal Infections

    G

Ganciclovir

Gangrene

Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gene Therapy

Genetics

Gentamicins

Geriatrics

Gestational Age

Glasgow Coma Scale

Glottis

Glutaraldehyde

Goodpasture's Syndrome

Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections

Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections

Granulomatous Disease

Guidelines

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

    H

Haemophilus Infections

Hantavirus

Hay Fever

Head Injuries

Health Care Costs

Health Care Reform

Health Education

Health Promotion

Health Status Indicators

Heart Arrest

Heart-Assist Devices

Heart Block

Heart Catheterization

Heart Defects, Congenital

Heart Diseases

Heart Failure, Congestive

Heart Function Tests

Heart-Lung Transplantation

Heart Massage

Heart Surgery

Heart Transplantation

Heart Valve Diseases

Heat

Heimlich Maneuver

Helicobacter Infections

Helium

Hematologic Diseases

Hemodialysis

Hemodilution

Hemodynamics

Hemoglobins

Hemoptysis

Hemorrhage

Hemosiderosis

Hemothorax

Heparin

Hepatitis

Hepatomegaly

Hernia, Diaphragmatic

Herpesvirus

HFCC (High-Frequency Chest Compression)

HFJV (High-Frequency Jet Ventilation)

HFO (High-Frequency Oscillation)

HFPPV (High-Frequency Positive Pressure Ventilation)

Hiccup

High-Frequency Ventilation (General)

Histamine Antagonists

Histoplasmosis

HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus)

HIV Infections

HME (Heat and Moisture Exchangers)

Home Care

Host Defense Mechanisms

Humidifiers - use Vaporizers

Humidity

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocortisone

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

Hyperbaric Oxygenation

Hyperkalemia

Hyperoxia

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Hypertension

Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular

Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular

Hyperventilation

Hypnotics and Sedatives

Hypocalcemia

Hypoglycemia

Hypokalemia

Hyponatremia

Hypophosphatemia

Hypoproteinemia

Hypotension

Hypothermia

Hypoventilation

Hypoxemia - use Anoxemia

Hypoxia - use Anoxia

    I-J

Iatrogenic Disease

ICP - Use Intracranial Pressure

ICU Psychosis

ILV(Independent Lung Ventilation)

Immobilization

Immunity

Immunization

Immunocompetence

Immunocompromised Host

Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes

Immunologic Diseases

Immunologic Tests

Immunosuppressive Agents

IMV (Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation; SIMV)

Incentive Spirometry

Incubators, Infant

Infant, Diseases

Infant, Low Birth Weight

Infant Mortality

Infant, Newborn

Infant Nutrition

Infant, Premature

Infant Warmers

Infection Control

Inflammation

Influenza

Informed Consent

Inhalation Exposure

Inspiratory Capacity

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

Insufflation

Intensive Care

Intensive Care, Neonatal

Intensive Care, Pediatric

Intercostal Muscles

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping

ICP Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

Intubation, Endotracheal

IPPB (Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing)

Ipratropium

IPV (Intermittent Percussive Ventilation)

Isoetharine

Isoniazid

Isoproterenol

IVOX (Intravascular Oxygenator)

    K

Ketamine

Ketoconazole

Kidney Failure

Kidney Transplantation

Klebsiella Infections

Kyphoscoliosis

Kyphosis

    L

Labor Complications

Lactic Acid

Laryngeal Diseases

Laryngeal Edema

Laryngeal Masks

Laryngectomy

Laryngitis

Laryngoscopy

Laryngospasm

Larynx

Larynx, Artificial

Latex

Legionellosis

Legionnaire's Disease

Levodopa

LFPPV-ECCO2R

Lightning Injuries

Liquid Ventilation

Liver Diseases

Liver Transplantation

Long-Term Care

LTOT

Lung Diseases, Drug-Induced

Lung Diseases, Fungal

Lung Diseases, Interstitial

Lung Diseases, Obstructive

Lung Diseases, Parasitic

Lung Neoplasms

Lung Transplantation

Lung Volume Measurements

Lupus Erythematosus

LVRS (Lung Volume Reduction Surgery)

    M

Magnesium

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Use MRI

Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital

Masks

Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate

Maximal Expiratory Flow-Volume Curves

Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate

Maximal Voluntary Ventilation

Maximum Expiratory Flow-Volume Curves

MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler)

Meconium Aspiration

Mediastinal Diseases

Mediastinal Emphysema

Mediastinoscopy

Medical History Taking

Medical Orders

Medical Waste Disposal

Medication Errors

Medulla Oblongata

Meningitis

Metabolic Diseases

Metabolism

Metaproterenol

Methacholine

Methemoglobinemia

Methotrexate

Microbial Culture and Sensitivity Tests

Microbiological Techniques

Micronutrients

Midazolam

Mitral Valve

MMV (Mandatory Minute Ventilation)

Monitoring, Physiologic

Moraxella (Branhamela) catarrhalis

Morphine

Mouth Breathing

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Mucociliary Clearance

Multiple Organ Failure

Multiple Sclerosis

Muscarinic Antagonists

Muscle Fatigue

Muscle Relaxants

Muscle Strength

Muscular Atrophy

Muscular Diseases

Muscular Dystrophy

Myasthenia Gravis

Mycobacterium Infections

Mycoplasma Infections

Myocardial Infarction

Myocarditis

    N

Naloxone

Narcotic Antagonists

Nasal Cavity

Nasal Decongestants

Nasal Obstruction

Nasal Polyps

Nasopharyngeal Diseases

Nebulizers and Vaporizers

Neck Injuries

Nedocromil

Needlestick Injuries

Neostigmine

Neurologic Examination

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

Neuromuscular Diseases

Nicotinic Antagonists

Nifedipine

NIPPV (Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation)

Nitric Oxide

Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitroglycerin

Nitroprusside

Nocardia Infections

Norepinephrine

Norfloxacin

Nose Diseases

Nosocomial Infection - Use Cross Infection

Nutrition

Nutrition Assessment

Nutrition Disorders

Nutrition Requirements

Nutritional Requirements

Nutritional Status

Nutritional Support

    O

Obesity

Occupational Diseases

Occupational Exposure

Occupational Hazards

Occupational Health

Occupational Safety

Opportunistic Infections

Optodes

Organ Transplantation

Oropharynx

Orthodontic Appliances

Orthomyxovirus

Orthopnea

Oscillation

Otitis Media

Outcome and Process Assessment

Outcome Assessment

Overdose

Oximetry

Oxygen Consumption

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen Transport

Oxygenation

Oxygenators, Membrane

Oxyhemoglobins

    P

Pacemaker, Artificial

Pancreatitis

Pancuronium

Parainfluenza Virus Infections

Paralysis

Paramyxovirus Infections

Paranasal Sinuses

Parasitic Diseases

Parasympathomimetics

Parenteral Nutrition

Patient Advocacy

Patient Care Management

Patient Care Planning

Patient Care Team

Patient Centered Care

Patient Compliance

Patient-Focused Care - Use Patient Centered Care

Patient Isolation

Patient Positioning

Patient Satisfaction

Patient-Triggered Ventilation (A/C, SIMV)

PAV (Proportional Assist Ventilation)

PCIRV (Pressure Control Inverse Ratio Ventialtion)

PCV (Pressure Control Ventialtion)

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate

PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure)

Penicillins

Pentamidine

PEP (Positive Expiratory Pressure Therapy)

Percussion

Pericarditis

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases

Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Peritoneal Dialysis

Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome

Pertussis

PET (Tomography, Positron Emission)

pH - Use Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

Pharmaceutical Additives

Pharyngeal Diseases

Phenobarbital

Phenothiazines

Phenylephrine

Phlebotomy

Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Physical Assessment

Physical Examination

Pickwickian Syndrome

Piperacillin

Pirbuterol

Placenta Praevia

Plasmapheresis

Plethysmography, Impedance

Plethysmography, Inductance

Plethysmography, Whole Body

Pleural Diseases

Pleural Effusion

Pleurisy

Pleurodesis

Pneumococcal Infections

Pneumoconiosis

Pneumocystis carinii Infections

Pneumomediastinum

Pneumonectomy

Pneumonia, Aspiration

Pneumonia, Bacterial

Pneumonia, Fungal

Pneumonia, Mycoplasma

Pneumonia, Pneumococcal

Pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii

Pneumonia, Staphylococcal

Pneumonia, Viral

Pneumopericardium

Pneumoperitoneum

Pneumothorax

Point-of-Care Systems

Point-of-Care Testing

Poliomyelitis

Polycythemia

Polyneuritis

Polysomnography

Pons

Positive-Pressure Respiration

Postoperative Care

Postoperative Complications

Postural Drainage

Posture

Potassium Iodide

Practice Guidelines

Prednisone

Pregnancy Complications

Pregnancy, High-Risk

Preoperative Care

Preventive Health Care

Procainamide

Process and Outcome Assessment

Process Assessment

Product Evaluation

Professional-Family Relations

Professional-Patient Relations

Prone Position

Propranolol

Prostaglandins

Protease Inhibitors

Protective Clothing

Proteus Infections

Protocols

PRVC (Pressure Regulated Volume Control)

Pseudomonas Infections

Psittacosis

PSV (Pressure Support Ventilation)

Pulmoanry Gas Exchange

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

Pulmonary Artery Catheterization

Pulmonary Circulation

Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary Emphysema

Pulmonary Eosinophilia

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary Gas Exchange

Pulmonary Heart Disease

Pulmonary Neoplasms

Pulmonary Stretch Receptors

Pulmonary Surfactants

Pulmonary Valve

Pulmonary Ventilation

Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

Pulse Oximetry

    Q

Quadriplegia

Quality Assurance

Quality Control

Quality Indicators, Health Care

Quality of Health Care

Quality of Life

Quinolinones

Quinolones

    R

Radial Artery

Radiation Injuries

Radiation Pneumonitis

Radiation Protection

Radiation Therapy

Radiography, Thoracic - Use Chest X-Rays

Radioisotope Scanning

Radionuclide Angiography

Radionuclide Imaging

Radiotherapy

Ranitidine

Reactive Oxygen Species

Recovery Room

Reflex, Stretch

Rehabilitation

Relaxation Techniques

Renal Failure

Residual Volume

Respiration, Artificial

Respiratory Airflow

Respiratory Center

Respiratory Circulation

Respiratory Dead Space

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Respiratory Failure - use Respiratory Insufficiency

Respiratory Function Tests

Respiratory Hypersensitivity

Respiratory Insufficiency

Respiratory Mechanics

Respiratory Muscles

Respiratory Paralysis

Respiratory Physiology

Respiratory Protective Devices

Respiratory Secretions

Respiratory Sounds

Respiratory Stimulants

Respiratory System Anatomy

Respiratory System Growth & Development

Respiratory Tract Diseases

Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory Tract Neoplasms

Respiratory Tract Physiology

Resuscitation

Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retropneumoperitoneum

Retrovirus Infections

Reye's Syndrome

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rhinitis

Rhinoviruses

Rib Fractures

Ribavirin

Rimantadine

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Rubella

    S

Salmeterol

Salmonella Infections

Sarcoidosis

Schistosomiasis

Scleroderma

Scoliosis

Scopolamine Derivatives

Sedatives

Self Administration

Sepsis

Sepsis Syndrome

Septicemia

Serratia Infections

Shock

Shock, Cardiogenic

Shock, Hemorrhagic

Shock, Septic

Sickle Cell Disease

SIDS

Silicosis

Sinusitis

Sleep Apnea Syndromes

Sleep Disorders

Smoke Inhalation

Smoking

Smoking Cessation

Smoking Prevention

Sodium Bicarbonate

Specimen Handling

Spectrophotometry

Spinal Cord Diseases

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spirometry

Spondylitis, Ankylosing

Sputum

Staphylococcal Infections

Status Asthmaticus

Sterilization

Steroids

Strabismus

Streptococcal Infections

Streptomycin

Stress, Physiological

Stroke Volume

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subcutaneous Emphysema

Succinylcholine

Sucralfate

Sudden Infant Death (SIDS)

Sulfhemoglobinemia

Supine Position

Surface Tension

Surgery

SVN (Small Volume Nebulizer)

Sympatholytics

Sympathomimetics

    T

Tachycardia

Tachyphylaxis

Temperature

Terbutaline

Tetanus

Tetracyclines

TGI (Tracheal Gas Insufflation)

Thallium

Therapeutic Exercise

Thermodilution

Thoracentesis

Thoracic Diseases

Thoracic Impedance

Thoracic Injuries

Thoracoplasty

Thoracoscopy

Thoracostomy

Thoracotomy

Thromboembolism

Ticarcillin

Tidal Volume

TMP-SMX

Tobacco Industry

Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Tomography, Positron Emission - Use PET Scan

Tomography, X-Ray Computed - Use CT Scan

Tomography, Single Photon Emission Computer - Use SPECT Scan Tonsillitis

Torsades de Pointes

Total Lung Capacity

Total Quality Management

Toxoplasmosis

Tracheal Diseases

Tracheitis

Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Tracheomalicia

Tracheostomy

Tracheotomy

Tranquilizing Agents

Transducers, Pressure

Transportation of Patients

Transtracheal Oxygen Therapy - Use TTOT

Trauma

Triamcinolone

Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

Tricuspid Valve Stenosis

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole - Use TMP-SMX

TTOT

Tuberculin Test

Tuberculosis

    U

Ultrasonic Nebulizers/Therapy - Use USN

Ultrasonography

Universal Precautions

USN

    V

Vaporizers (Humidifiers)

Vancomycin

Varicella-Zoster Virus

Vasoconstriction

Vasoconstrictor Agents

Vasodilation

Vasodilator Agents

VCV (Volume Control Ventilation)

Vecuronium

Vena Cava Filters

Ventilation

Ventilation, High-Frequency

Ventilation, Manual - use BVM

Ventilation, Mechanical

Ventilation, Negative Pressure

Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio

Ventilation-Perfusion Scans

Ventilator Weaning

Ventilators, Mechanical

Ventricular Dysfunction

Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular Function

Ventricular Premature Complexes

Verapamil

Vibration

Virus Diseases

Vital Capacity

Vocal Cord Paralysis

    W-Z

Warfarin

Water-Electrolyte Balance

Water Loss, Insensible

Water Microbiology

Wegener's Granulomatosis

Whooping Cough

Work of Breathing

Wounds and Injuries

X-Rays - use Chest X-Rays

Xanthines

Zafirlukast

Zidovudine

Zileuton