Assess Breathing

Question 1

How would you Assess breathing

Answer 1

IPPA
* Inspection
* Palpation
* Percussion
* Auscultation

Question 2

When indiviudals find it difficult to breathe they may use accessory muscles to help them breathe.
What are they

Answer 2

Head Bobbing
Head Position – tilting back
Nasal Flaring
Mouth Gasping
Tracheal Tug
Shoulder Shrugging
Intercostal Recession
Subcostal Recession
Sternal Recession
Abdominal Muscle Use ‘Belly Breathing’

When individuals show these immediately get help

Question 3

Inspection

Answer 3

Look for:
Effort
* Respiratory rate, depth and pattern (tachypnoeic,
bradyapnoeic)
* Accessory muscle use

Efficacy
* Equal air and bilateral entry / Chest movement
* Central Trachea
* Gasping
* SpO2 in air

Effect
* Heart Rate
* Capillary Refill Time (central and peripheral)
* Conscious Level
* Cyanosis- Bluness usually around the lip (fingers maybe)

Question 4

Palpation

Answer 4

Form butterfly hand and see if the chest expands into your hands and then out and then back in

Question 5

Percussion

Answer 5

Place middle finger of non-dominant hand flat on the patients body then tap the distal joint with middle finger of other hand

Used to detect air, fluid and masses

Question 6

Auscultation

Answer 6

Purpose is to listen for chest sounds. These
include:
- Crackles (coarse/fine)
- Wheeze
- Pleural Rub