Bedside Assessment Study Packet

A comprehensive set of 100 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the bedside assessment study packet.

Orthopnea

A condition where a patient experiences difficulty breathing when lying flat.

Pink, frothy sputum

A hallmark sign of pulmonary edema.

Fetid sputum

Foul-smelling sputum commonly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Barrel chest

A physical finding often associated with emphysema.

Fine crackles at the bases

Breath sounds indicative of pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, or congestive heart failure.

Unilateral wheezing

Typically caused by foreign body obstruction.

Pleural friction rub

A sound associated with conditions such as pleurisy, pneumonia, TB, or cancer.

Pulsus paradoxus

A drop in blood pressure during inhalation seen in severe asthma, cardiac tamponade or tension pneumothorax.

Clubbing of the fingers

Associated with chronic hypoxemia from conditions like COPD, interstitial lung disease, or congenital heart disease.

Kussmaul breathing

An abnormal breathing pattern associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

A bacterial infection often leading to fetid sputum.

Right-sided heart failure

Commonly presents with symptoms like pedal edema.

Pneumothorax

The presence of air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse.

Angina

Chest pain due to coronary artery disease, often non-pleuritic and radiating.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A group of lung diseases that block airflow, characterized by alveolar destruction.

Diabetic ketoacidosis

A serious condition resulting from uncontrolled diabetes, leading to Kussmaul respirations.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A condition in which heart function is inadequate to meet the body's needs, leading to symptoms like orthopnea.

Liver failure

A condition that can cause ascites due to fluid accumulation.

Pulmonary fibrosis

A lung disease characterized by the scarring and stiffening of lung tissue.

Foreign body obstruction

Obstruction of the airway caused by an ingested object.

Chest tightness

A symptom commonly associated with asthma.

Chronic cough

Can result from postnasal drip, smoking, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Pleuritic chest pain

Sharp pain that is worsened by inspiration, often seen in pneumonia.

Non-pleuritic chest pain

Dull, pressure-like pain often associated with angina.

Jugular venous distention (JVD)

A sign of right heart failure, assessed at a 45° angle.

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

Waxing and waning breaths followed by periods of apnea, often linked with CHF or CNS injury.

Tactile fremitus

The vibration felt on the chest wall when a patient speaks, increased in pneumonia and decreased in pneumothorax.

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen levels in the blood, indicated by central cyanosis.

Poor perfusion

A cause of peripheral cyanosis, seen in low cardiac output.

Atelectasis

Lung collapse, which causes a shift of the trachea towards the affected side.

Inward movement of ribs during inspiration

Known as Hoover's Sign, indicative of diaphragm fatigue in COPD.

Asthma

A chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation and difficulty breathing.

Postnasal drip

A common cause of chronic cough, where mucus drains down the back of the throat.

Acute viral infections

Can contribute to clubbing if associated with chronic lung issues.

CHF assessment

Use physical examination to detect conditions like pedal edema and JVD.

Auscultation

The act of listening to the sounds made by internal organs, especially the lungs.

Respiratory rate measurement

Important in assessing the severity of respiratory conditions.

Spirometry

A test measuring lung function and airflow.

Blood gas analysis

Used to assess oxygen, carbon dioxide levels, and blood pH.

Pulmonary embolism symptoms

Can include acute onset dyspnea and chest pain.

Wheezing sounds

Commonly seen in asthma and COPD.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin due to low oxygen levels.

Health history

A vital part of patient assessment, reviewing prior conditions and treatments.

Chest x-ray

An imaging tool to identify respiratory conditions like pneumonia.

Pulmonary function tests

Tests measuring lung volumes and airflow rates.

Environmental risk factors

Include smoking and exposure to pollutants contributing to respiratory diseases.

Antibiotics

Medications used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia.

Bronchodilators

Medications that help open up the airways in conditions like asthma.

Corticosteroids

Anti-inflammatory medications used in respiratory conditions.

Pleural effusion

Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, assessed through physical exam.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to a cough.

Lung auscultation findings

Can help identify conditions such as wheezing vs crackles.

Respiratory distress

A state of difficulty breathing that can require urgent care.

Acute respiratory failure

A medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

Ventilator support

Used for patients with severe respiratory failure or compromise.

Oxygen therapy

Administering oxygen to patients with low blood oxygen saturation.

Chronic cough evaluation

Involves determining duration and associated symptoms.

Smoking cessation benefits

Can improve lung function and decrease COPD progression.

Pulmonary rehabilitation

A program to help improve the well-being of people with chronic lung conditions.

Postoperative assessments

Checking lung function and potential complications post-surgery.

Preoperative evaluations

Critical in identifying respiratory risks before surgery.

Health promotion strategies

Encouraging vaccinations and lifestyle changes to enhance lung health.

Patient education

Teaching patients about managing their respiratory conditions.

Empirical treatment

Starting treatment based on clinical experience when the cause isn’t immediately known.

Nutritional status

May impact respiratory function and recovery.

Fluid balance assessment

Important in managing patients with heart failure.

Family history review

Can reveal genetic predisposition to respiratory diseases.

Physical activity recommendations

Encouraged for lung health within the patient’s limitations.

Oxygen saturation monitoring

A key part of assessing respiratory function.

Hypoventilation causes

Can include obesity or sedatives that depress respiratory drive.

Acidosis and alkalosis

Conditions affecting blood pH, necessitating treatment.

Respiratory muscle fatigue

A situation that can complicate respiratory diseases.

Patient-completed questionnaires

Tools used in assessing respiratory symptoms and function.