Glossary

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P0.1 Occlusion pressure at 0.1 second
Pallor Having a pale color
Parasomnia Disorder of arousal, partial arousal, or sleep stage transition such as sleepwalking
Pathological Apnea A respiratory pause (for 10 seconds or longer in adults) that is abnormal if it is prolonged or associated with cyanosis, abrupt pallor, hypotonia or bradycardia
Peak End Expiratory Pressure(PEEP) The application of positive pressure to the airways and alveoli during expiration when the patient is breathing with a mechanical ventilator; Maintains a small amount of air in the lungs, preventing complete emptying on exhalation to avoid airway collapse
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate(PEFR) Also known as peak flow value; A measurement of the maximum speed with which a person can blow air out of their lungs
Peak Flow Meter A simple, hand-held device that measures maximum expiratory breathing effort, or peak flow value
Peak Inspiratory Pressure(PIP) The greatest airway pressure during an inspiratory cycle no matter what the breath type; The pressure is measured at the exhalation valve and the new data displayed at the beginning of exhalation
Periodic Breathing Three or more apneic pauses of 3 or more seconds (but less than 20 seconds) in duration within periods of normal respiration of 20 seconds or less
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder(PLMS) PLMS are characterized by leg movements or jerks which typically occur every 20 to 40 seconds during sleep, causing sleep to be disrupted and leaving the person with excessive daytime sleepiness; In most cases, the bed partner typically reports these movements; Related to Restless Leg Syndrome
Personal Best The highest peak flow measurement you can reach consistently when your asthma is under control
Phase Advance The shift of sleep or wake to an earlier position in the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle
Phase Delay A shift of sleep or wake to a later time of the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle
Pickwickian Descriptor for an obese person who snores, is sleepy, and has alveolar hypoventilation
Pneumonia An inflammation of the lungs from an infection
Polysomnograph or Polysomnogram A mechanical recording of a person's sleep, using many criteria such as the amount of oxygen in bloodstream, pulse, brain waves and eye movement; The continuous and simultaneous recording of physiological variables during sleep, i.e., EEG, EOG, EMG (these are the three basic stage scoring parameters), EKG, respiratory air flow, respiratory excursions, lower limb movement, and other electrophysiological variables
Pressure Control Ventilation (PCV) Equivalent to time-triggered, pressure-limited, and time cycled ventilation
Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) Pressure limited assist ventilation designed to augment a spontaneously generated breath; The patient has primary control over the frequency of the breathing, the inspiratory time, and the inspiratory flow
Pressure Trigger Initiation of inspiration when the patient's inspiratory effort exceeds the pressure sensitivity (threshold)
Proportional Assist Ventilation (PAV) A mode of ventilatory support in which the level of mechanical assistance varies with patient demand
Pulmonary Edema The leakage of fluid from the capillaries into the alveoli as a result of increased pressure inside the capillaries or a leaky capillary wall

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