Lungs & Thorax Flashcards
What are the true ribs?
True ribs are ribs 1-7
What are the false ribs?
False ribs are ribs 8, 9, and 10
What are the floating ribs?
Floating ribs are ribs 11 and 12
What is an important landmark in the thorax?
The second intercostal space
What is the function of the upper respiratory tract?
Warming, filtering, and humidifying inspired air
Which bronchus is shorter, wider, and straighter?
The right bronchus
What is the midclavicular line important for?
It is important for cardiac assessments
What should be avoided during percussion of the thorax?
Scapula obstructing the area
What happens to the trachea in cases of pneumothorax?
The trachea may not be midline
What muscles work hard during breathing difficulties?
Scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles
What is the primary role of the respiratory system?
To provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the circulatory system
What does bradypnea refer to?
Abnormal slowing of respiration
What does tachypnea indicate?
Abnormal increase in respiration rate
What is apnea?
Temporary cessation of breathing
What is Kussmaul breathing associated with?
Diabetic ketoacidosis
What is Cheyne-Stokes breathing?
An abnormal pattern of progressively deeper and sometimes faster breathing followed by gradual decrease resulting in apnea
What does cyanosis indicate?
Deoxygenated blood and inadequate oxygen supply
What is the common cause of hemoptysis?
Bronchitis
What is orthopnea?
Difficulty breathing while lying flat
What is wheezing characterized by?
Abnormally high-pitched noise from a partially obstructed airway
What is the difference between central and peripheral cyanosis?
Central cyanosis indicates inadequate gas exchange; peripheral cyanosis reflects excessive oxygen extraction
What is pleuritic pain?
Sharp, stabbing pain felt during inspiration due to inflammation of the parietal pleura
What is the significance of snoring?
Heavy snoring is associated with obstructive sleep apnea
What does stridor indicate?
A medical emergency associated with turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed airway
What are the two types of COPD?
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
What is the hallmark of emphysema?
Difficulty exhaling air
What does tactile fremitus assess?
The transmitted vibrations felt when a patient says ‘99’
What does increased tactile fremitus indicate?
Pneumonia
What percussion sound indicates a solid organ?
Dull sound
What does a tympanic percussion sound indicate?
Hollow air-containing structure
What is the normal respiratory rate?
12-20 breaths per minute
What are the three normal breath sounds?
- Vesicular
- Bronchovesicular
- Bronchial
What are crackles (rales)?
Sounds associated with fluid in alveoli and airways
What does wheezing signify?
Air forced through narrowed airways
What is egophony?
Change in sound when the patient says ‘ee’ during auscultation
What does bronchophony indicate?
Louder, clearer sounds transmitted through the chest, indicating abnormality
What is whispered pectoriloquy?
Assessment of whispered sounds during auscultation
What is egophony?
A change in voice sounds when assessing for pneumonia, characterized by a nasal quality when the patient says ‘E’
Egophony is typically assessed during auscultation and indicates consolidation in the lungs.
What combination of symptoms indicates pneumonia?
Fever, cough, bronchial breath sounds, egophony
These symptoms are commonly assessed in a clinical setting to diagnose pneumonia.
How do you perform bronchophony?
Have the patient say ‘99’ while auscultating
Normal findings show muffled and indistinct sounds, while louder, clearer sounds indicate abnormalities.
What does whispered pectoriloquy assess?
The clarity of whispered sounds during auscultation
Normal findings show little to no transmitted sound, while louder, clearer sounds indicate abnormalities.
What is kyphoscoliosis?
A spinal curvature and vertebral rotation that affects lung function
This thoracic deformity can lead to respiratory issues.
Define barrel chest.
An increased anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the thorax
This deformity is often associated with chronic lung conditions.
What is flail chest?
Multiple adjacent rib fractures causing an injured area to cave in with inspiration
This condition can severely compromise respiratory mechanics.
What is pectus excavatum?
A depression in the lower portion of the sternum, also called ‘funnel chest’
May lead to compression of the heart and great vessels.
What is pectus carinatum?
A condition where the sternum is displaced anteriorly, known as ‘pigeon chest’
This deformity may also increase the AP diameter.
What are the signs of pleurisy?
Pleural rub and infection of the pleural cavity
Patients may experience sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing.
What is pleural effusion?
A condition characterized by pleural fluid accumulation leading to decreased or absent breath sounds
May also present with egophony and pleural rub.
What is a pneumothorax?
The presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity, leading to absence of sound
This condition can cause lung collapse and requires immediate medical attention.
What does hemothorax indicate?
The presence of blood in the pleural cavity, leading to decreased or absent breath sounds
This can occur due to trauma or other medical conditions.
What are the clinical signs of pneumonia?
Crackles/rales, rhonchi, cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, difficulty breathing
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
Define acute bronchitis.
Inflammation of the bronchial tubes lasting up to three weeks
Acute bronchitis usually follows a viral infection.
What characterizes chronic bronchitis?
Cough lasting three consecutive months for two years in a row
Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What is asthma?
A chronic disease characterized by reversible airflow obstruction leading to breathing difficulty
Asthma may present with wheezing and absence of sound during severe attacks.
What happens in emphysema?
Destruction of the air sacs that exchange gas in the lungs, leading to absence of sound
This condition is also a form of COPD.
What is atelectasis?
Complete or partial collapse of the lung or lung area, leading to decreased or absent breath sounds
It can occur when alveoli become deflated or filled with fluid.
What preventive measures should be taken for lung health?
Smoking cessation, vaccination for influenza, pneumococcal disease, COVID-19
These measures are crucial for reducing respiratory disease risk.
What is a normal thorax assessment finding?
Symmetric thorax with good expansion, resonant lungs, vesicular breath sounds
Normal diaphragmatic descent is about 4 cm bilaterally.
What are abnormal thorax assessment findings?
Asymmetric thorax, severe kyphosis, decreased expansion, hyperresonant lungs
Abnormal findings should always be reported.
