Chest/Lung Flashcards
How many lobes are on the right lung vs left lung?
The right lung has 3 lobes, and left lung has 2 lobes.
Where do you visualize the right lateral lung from the surface?
The right lateral lung can be visualized from the area extending from the peak of the axilla to the seventh or eighth rib. The upper lobe is at about the level of the fifth rib in the midaxillary line and the sixth rib more anteriorly.
What is the ratio for AP diameter and lateral diameter?
1:2 ratio. This means that the chest is normally twice as wide (lateral diameter) as it is deep (anteroposterior diameter).
If the ratio equals each other, that means that there is usually a chronic condition present such as barrel chest.
What is the ratio for AP diameter and later diameter in newborns?
In newborns, the anteroposterior (AP) to lateral diameter ratio is typically 1:1, meaning that the depth of the chest (AP diameter) is equal to the width (lateral diameter). This gives the chest a more circular appearance compared to the elliptical shape seen in older children and adults.
What are some causes for sputum and how might they differentiate in color with different diagnosis?
Bacterial infection: Yellow, green, rust (blood mixed with yellow sputum), clear, or transparent; purulent; blood streaked; sticky.
Cancer: Slight, persistent, intermittent blood streaking
Tuberculous cavity: Occasional large amounts of blood
What is crepitus?
A crackly or crinkly sensation that can be both palpated and heard- a gentle, bubbly feeling. It may be localized or cover a wide area, potentially involving the arms and face with swelling which can mimic an allergic reaction. Crepitus always results from an underlying pathologic process.
Where should the NP assess first when performing a lung assessment?
Because most pulmonary pathologic conditions occur at the lung bases, it is a good idea to examine these first, before the patient becomes too tired.
Where are vesicular breath sounds heard and how are they characterized?
Vesicular breath sounds are heard over most lung fields; they are a low pitch; soft and short expirations; more prominent in a thin person or a child; diminished in an overweight or muscular person.
Where are bronchovesicular breath sounds heard and how are they characterized?
Heard over main bronchus area and over upper right posterior lung field; medium pitch; expiration equals inspiration
Where are bronchial breath sounds heard and how are they characterized?
Heard only over the trachea; high pitch; loud and long expiration; sometimes a bit longer than inspiration.
What are sounds that can be heard over the lungs when a patient is sick?
Rhonchi: Coarse, low pitched; may clear with a cough.
Wheeze: whistling; high pitched bronchus
Crackles: fine, crackling, high-pitched
How will the chest wall of a young child sound like?
Because of the thin chest wall of a young child, the breath sounds may sound louder, harsher, and more bronchial than those of adults.
What are findings of pneumonia?
Inflammatory response of the bronchioles to an infective agent.
Inspection: Tachypnea, Shallow breathing, Nasal flaring, Occasional cyanosis
Palpation: Increased fremitus in presence of consolidation, Tachypnea
Percussion: Dullness if consolidation is large
Auscultation: Crackles and occasional rhonchi, Bronchial breath sounds, Egophony, bronchophony, whispered pectoriloquy
What is epiglottis?
Acute, life-threatening infection involving the epiglottis and surrounding tissues.
Subjective data: Begins suddenly and progresses rapidly without cough, Muffled voice, Painful sore throat with difficulty swallowing
Objective data: Absent cough, High fever, Beefy red epiglottis
