Lungs and Thorax Findings

What is a normal respiratory rate for adults?

12-20 breaths per minute.

What indicates normal breathing rhythm during inspection?

Regular breathing rhythm without use of accessory muscles.

What should the skin color be during a normal lung assessment?

Appropriate for ethnicity, with no signs of cyanosis.

What is the normal AP to transverse diameter ratio?

1:2

What finding indicates symmetrical chest expansion during palpation?

Both sides of the chest rise and fall equally.

What does resonance indicate during percussion of the lungs?

Normal air-filled lungs.

What type of breath sounds are expected over the trachea?

Bronchial breath sounds: Loud, high-pitched.

What is considered a normal oxygen saturation (SpO₂) level?

95-100%.

What is an abnormal finding for respiratory rate?

Bradycardia (<12) or tachypnea (>20) breaths per minute.

What abnormal finding indicates chronic hypoxia?

Clubbing of nails.

What is considered a normal respiratory rate?

12-20 breaths per minute.

What denotes a normal breathing rhythm?

Regular breathing rhythm without accessory muscle use.

What indicates symmetrical chest expansion?

Both sides of the chest rise and fall equally.

What is the significance of accessory muscle use?

No accessory muscle use indicates normal breathing effort.

What should skin color indicate in a normal lung assessment?

Appropriate for ethnicity, with no signs of cyanosis.

What is the normal AP to transverse diameter ratio?

1:2.

What does the absence of clubbing of nails indicate?

No signs of chronic hypoxia.

What is assessed through palpation during lung assessment?

Symmetrical chest expansion and absence of tenderness.

What does tactile fremitus do as it moves toward lung bases?

It decreases but is still present.

Where should the trachea be positioned in a normal assessment?

Midline.

What percussion finding indicates normal air-filled lungs?

Resonance over lung fields.

What sound is expected over the heart and liver during percussion?

Dullness.

What indicates tympany during percussion?

Presence over the stomach.

What type of breath sounds are classified as bronchial?

Loud, high-pitched breath sounds heard over the trachea.

What are bronchovesicular breath sounds characterized by?

Moderate pitch over the major bronchi.

What defines vesicular breath sounds?

Soft, low-pitched sounds over peripheral lung fields.

What indicates normal lung auscultation results?

Absence of adventitious (abnormal) breath sounds.

What is a normal oxygen saturation (SpO₂) level?

95-100%.

What respiratory rate indicates bradypnea?

Less than 12 breaths per minute.

What respiratory rate indicates tachypnea?

More than 20 breaths per minute.

What is dyspnea?

Shortness of breath.

What does the tripod position indicate?

Positioning to ease breathing.

What is pursed-lip breathing often associated with?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What do retractions signify?

Visible sinking of tissues between ribs indicating respiratory distress.

What does cyanosis look like?

Bluish discoloration of the skin.

What condition is indicated by clubbing of nails?

Chronic hypoxia.

What characterizes a barrel chest?

An AP to transverse ratio of 1:1, often seen in COPD.

How can scoliosis affect respiratory function?

May interfere with normal breathing mechanics.

What does asymmetrical chest expansion indicate?

Possible pneumothorax or pleural effusion.

What conditions can increase tactile fremitus?

Pneumonia or lung consolidation.

What conditions can decrease tactile fremitus?

Emphysema, pleural effusion, or pneumothorax.

What does tenderness on palpation indicate?

Possible underlying pathology like infection or tumors.

What does dullness over lung fields suggest?

Pneumonia, pleural effusion, or tumor.

What is hyperresonance associated with?

Too much air, as in emphysema or pneumothorax.

What do flatness during percussion indicate?

Atelectasis (collapsed lung).

What do crackles (rales) indicate?

Presence of fluid in alveoli, often seen in pneumonia or CHF.

What is the difference between fine and coarse crackles?

Fine crackles are soft and high-pitched, while coarse crackles are loud and low-pitched.

What causes wheezing?

Narrowed airways, often in asthma or bronchitis.

What characterizes high-pitched wheezing?

Typically associated with asthma.

What characterizes low-pitched wheezing (rhonchi)?

Often due to bronchitis or mucus buildup.

What does stridor indicate?

Upper airway obstruction, seen in conditions like croup.

What is a pleural friction rub?

A grating sound indicating pleural inflammation.

What SpO₂ level indicates hypoxia?

SpO₂ < 90%.

What conditions can lead to false pulse oximetry readings?

Cold fingers, carbon monoxide poisoning, anemia.