(ăp″ĭ-kŏl′ĭ-sĭs)
[Pronunciation]
[″ + Gr. lysis, dissolution]

1. Destruction of a dental root apex.
2. Surgical excision or collapse of the pulmonary apex.

PATIENT CARE
During and after the procedure, the patient is assessed for symptoms of tension pneumothorax (increased pulse and respirations, cyanosis, and marked dyspnea, along with severe sharp pain, tympanic resonance to percussion, and absent breath sounds on auscultation of the affected side) and for symptoms of a mediastinal shift (cyanosis, severe dyspnea, distended neck veins, increased pulse and respiratory rate, and excessive, uncontrollable coughing). After the procedure, the patient is positioned as prescribed, usually on the affected side.