Ch 19 Thorax - Students

What are the objectives for the thorax and lung session?

Recall thorax and lung anatomy, locate landmarks, identify cultural and genetic impacts on pulmonary status, obtain assessment data, recognize adventitious sounds, incorporate health promotion, document assessments, describe respiratory condition assessments.

What is the duration for an acute cough?

Less than 2-3 weeks.

What is hemoptysis?

Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus from the respiratory tract.

Define dyspnea.

Shortness of breath or difficult, labored breathing.

What is orthopnea?

Shortness of breath while lying flat.

What does increased residual volume indicate in aging adults?

Lungs become more rigid, leading to decreased vital capacity and risk of dyspnea.

What major risk factors are associated with lung cancer?

80% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.

What is the main chronic lung disease in childhood?

Asthma.

What is the expected respiratory rate for a normal adult?

10-20 breaths per minute.

What does barrel chest indicate?

A chronic respiratory condition like COPD.

How do you assess for tactile fremitus?

Ask the patient to say '99' while palpating both sides of the posterior chest.

What does dullness in percussion indicate?

Too dense lung tissue or atelectasis

What is the clinical importance of auscultation?

To listen for lung sounds, including normal and adventitious sounds.

What is a vesicular breath sound?

A low-pitch, low-intensity sound heard over peripheral lung fields.

What does a pleural friction rub sound like?

Low-pitched, coarse, dry, grating sound.

What are common adventitious lung sounds?

Crackles(popping), wheezes (whistle), rhonchi (snoring), stridor, diminished or absent sounds.

Fine crackles (hair rubbing)

Pneumonia Atelectasis Fibrosis

wheezes

Asthma, COPD

Rhonchi

Musucs, Cystic fibrosis, ask pt to cough

Stridor

obstructed airway, croup

What indicates the need for incentive spirometry?

To promote lung health and prevent atelectasis.

Describe the characteristics of normal respirations.

Automatic, effortless, regular, even, with no accessory muscle use.

What does a tachypneic patient exhibit?

Increased respiratory rate, typically over 20 breaths per minute.

Pursed lip breathing

a technique that involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips (COPD)

What is the function of the incentive spirometer?

To measure lung health and promote deep breathing to prevent atelectasis.

What does diminished lung sounds indicate?

Possible lung collapse or fluid-filled alveoli.

What is a Kussmaul respiration?

Deep, labored breathing pattern often associated with metabolic acidosis.

How should you document a patient with normal lung findings?

No cough, no shortness of breath, normal respiratory rate, clear lung sounds.

What factors should be considered when assessing a cough?

Duration, frequency, timing, quality, and presence of symptoms.

What does increased use of accessory muscles indicate?

Respiratory distress or difficulty in breathing.

How is hypoxemia defined?

Low oxygen levels in the blood.

What should you assess for if a client reports dyspnea?

Fever, hemoptysis, sputum, and orthopnea.

What will a patient with chronic bronchitis likely exhibit?

Coarse rhonchi and frequent cough.

What indicates a positive response to bronchodilators during lung assessment?

Improved breath sounds and reduced wheezing.

What type of sound is produced when air flows through narrowed airways?

Wheezing.

Explain the significance of observing a patient for nasal flaring.

It can be a sign of respiratory distress.

What can you expect to hear in splinting during breathing?

Reduced breath sounds due to pain or discomfort.

What might a cough that produces rust-colored sputum indicate?

Possible pneumonia or lung infection.

What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?

Sudden awakening from sleep with shortness of breath.

How is thoracic expansion assessed?

Placing thumbs at the level of the tenth rib and observing movement.

What is a common result of atelectasis?

Diminished or absent breath sounds on auscultation.

What does a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min indicate?

Tachypnea.

What can environmental smoke exposure lead to?

Increased risk of respiratory diseases.

Describe the significance of family history in respiratory disease assessment.

It may indicate a genetic predisposition to certain lung conditions.

What should be avoided when auscultating the anterior chest?

Breast tissue and bone

What is the risk of using second-hand smoke as part of patient assessment?

Increased susceptibility to lung diseases.

What is a key point to remember when using the stethoscope?

Ensure it's clean and in contact with the skin for accurate sound transmission.

Why is it important to assess environmental exposure?

To identify potential allergens or irritants affecting respiratory health.

What may increased fremitus indicate?

Consolidation of lung tissue.

How do chronic respiratory conditions affect thoracic structure in older adults?

They may experience increased rigidness of the lungs.

Coarse Crackles (velcro)

COPD Bronchitis Pulmonary edema