Examination of resp system Flashcards
Eupnea is
normal, quiet breathing
Tachypnea
an elevated resp rate
Hyperpnea
Elevated resp rate, depth or both
Bradypnea
Abnormally slow resp rate
Apnea
Cessation of breathing
Dyspnea
difficulty breathing
Flared nostrils
Excessive thoracic movement
Abdominal involvement
Stertor is
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
Stridor is
a high pitched noise that occurs generally with inspiration. It is caused by a narrowing of the upper airway.
How to check air flow
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
Nasal discharge
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.
Abnormal nasal dishcarge
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
Odour can be caused by
Fetid
Often indicative of an anaerobic infection
Dental disease: tooth root abscess
Severe pneumonia
Sneezing is and causes
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
Coughing is and how to induce
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
Auscultation of the resp tract
Mid trachea
At least four lung sites in each side
Cranioventral
Mid cranial thorax
Craniodorsal
Caudodorsal
Bronchial tones
produced by consolidated lung, inspiratory and expiratory sounds of similar intensity, closely resembles tracheal sounds
Crackles lung sounds
short duration, discontinuous, low pitched
Wheezing lung sounds
high pitched, long duration, intensity and pitch relatively constant
Squeaks lung sounds
high pitched, short duration
Plural friction lung sounds
occurs during inspiration and expiration
How to increase resp effort in patient
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)
Diagnostics used for resp tract
Radiography
Ultrasonography- limited use
Bronchoscopy
Airway sampling- Nasal flush, transtracheal wash (TTW) or endotracheal wash, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
