Respiratory tests/diagnostic terms

Auscultation

Listening to sounds within the body

Percussion

Tapping on a surface to determine the difference in the density of the underlying structure

Pleural rub

Scratchy sound produced by pleural surfaces rubbing against one another

Crackles

Fine crackling sounds heard on an auscultation (during inhalation) when there is fluid in the alveoli

Rhonchi

Loud rumbling sound heard on an auscultation of bronchi obstructed by sputum

Sputum

Material expelled from the bronchi, lungs, or respiratory tract by spitting

Stridor

Strained, high pitched sound heard on inspiration caused by obstruction in the larynx or pharynx

Wheezes

Continuous high pitched whistling sounds produced during breathing

Chest X-ray (cxr)

Radiographic image of the thoracic cavity

Computed tomography (ct) scan of the chest

Computer generated series of X-ray images that show thoracic structures in cross section and other planes

Magnetic resonance imaging (mri) of the chest

Magnetic waves create detailed images of the chest in cross sectional, frontal, lateral, etc planes

Ventilation perfusion (v/q) scan

Detection device records radioactivity in the lung after intravenous injection of a radioisotope and inhalation of a small amount of radioactive gas (xenon)

Bronchioscopy

Fiber optic endoscope examination of the bronchial tubes

Endotracheal intubation

Placement of a tube through the mouth into the pharynx, larynx, or trachea to establish an airway

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

Tests that measure the ventilation mechanics of the lungs; airway function, lung volume, and capacity of the lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide easily

Thoracentisis

Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the pleural space

Tracheostomy

Surgical creation of an opening into the trachea through the neck