Examination of resp system

Question 1

Eupnea is

Answer 1

normal, quiet breathing

Question 2

Tachypnea

Answer 2

an elevated resp rate

Question 3

Hyperpnea

Answer 3

Elevated resp rate, depth or both

Question 4

Bradypnea

Answer 4

Abnormally slow resp rate

Question 5

Apnea

Answer 5

Cessation of breathing

Question 6

Dyspnea

Answer 6

difficulty breathing
Flared nostrils
Excessive thoracic movement
Abdominal involvement

Question 7

Stertor is

Answer 7

a low pitched noise made due to the vibration of soft tissue when the animal is breathing. Prediction of noise occurs in the pharynx. Ex. snoring

Question 8

Stridor is

Answer 8

a high pitched noise that occurs generally with inspiration. It is caused by a narrowing of the upper airway.

Question 9

How to check air flow

Answer 9

Air should flow through both nostrils, if not, there may be an obstruction cranial to the mid pharynx
We can check for air flow using the back of our hands, a glass slide or by watching for a vapour trail on a cold day

Question 10

Nasal discharge

Answer 10

A small volume of nasal discharge is normal. It is characterized as abnormal if it is running down the patients face, or if it is not clear.
Though normal discharge is serous in large animals, it may also contain trapped food particles or food dust.

Question 11

Abnormal nasal dishcarge

Answer 11

Unilateral or bilateral
Excessive, clear discharge: viral infection or nasal irritation
Bloody
Epistaxis vs. hemoptysis
Mucopurulent: viral infection or nasal irritation
Purulent: yellow/green discharge, usually indicative of a bacterial infection
Green/brown: reflux of food

Question 12

Odour can be caused by

Answer 12

Fetid
Often indicative of an anaerobic infection
Dental disease: tooth root abscess
Severe pneumonia

Question 13

Sneezing is and causes

Answer 13

Occurs due to irritation of the nasal passages
It is due to forceful expulsion of air through the nostrils
Causes include
Increased nasal discharge
Viral infections
Allergies
Nasal foreign body
Neoplasia

Question 14

Coughing is and how to induce

Answer 14

Spontaneous coughing may be observed in the exam room
Inducing a cough
Small animals
Palpation of the trachea at the 2nd tracheal ring
Large animal
Squeezing the 2nd tracheal ring
Rebreathing bag
Temporarily holding hand over nostrils

Question 15

Auscultation of the resp tract

Answer 15

Mid trachea
At least four lung sites in each side
Cranioventral
Mid cranial thorax
Craniodorsal
Caudodorsal

Question 16

Bronchial tones

Answer 16

produced by consolidated lung, inspiratory and expiratory sounds of similar intensity, closely resembles tracheal sounds

Question 17

Crackles lung sounds

Answer 17

short duration, discontinuous, low pitched

Question 18

Wheezing lung sounds

Answer 18

high pitched, long duration, intensity and pitch relatively constant

Question 19

Squeaks lung sounds

Answer 19

high pitched, short duration

Question 20

Plural friction lung sounds

Answer 20

occurs during inspiration and expiration

Question 21

How to increase resp effort in patient

Answer 21

We can increase respiratory effort in our patients to exaggerate lung sounds with gentle exercise, using a rebreathing bag or by occluding their nostrils
Rebreathing bag: Place a bag over the patients muzzle for 1-3 minutes. With this method they are re-breathing their expired air, this will stimulate them to take deeper breaths.
THE BAG SHOULD NOT BE DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THEIR NOSTRILS
OR Manually cover both nostrils for about 20 seconds (less if the patient is becoming uncomfortable)

Question 22

Diagnostics used for resp tract

Answer 22

Radiography
Ultrasonography- limited use
Bronchoscopy
Airway sampling- Nasal flush, transtracheal wash (TTW) or endotracheal wash, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)