Module 6: Respiratory System Flashcards
Identify signs of respiratory distress in adults
- Accessory muscle use
- Intercostal retractions
- Forward leaning
- Deep, exaggerated, or labored breathing
Identify signs of respiratory distress in children
- Infants – nasal flaring
- Toddlers/older children – tripod position
A trachea that deviates toward the side of pathology can be caused by
- Atelectasis
- Pneumothorax
- Agenesis of lung
- Pneumonectomy
- Pleural fibrosis
A deviated trachea that is away from the pathologic side can be caused by
- Tension pneumothorax
- Pleural effusion
- Large chest wall mass
- A tracheal mass
AP: Lateral Ratio
- Comparison of depth to width of the chest wall
- Normal AP:lateral ratio = 2:3
Basic breathing sounds
Lung sounds created by movement of air through the respiratory tract
Adventitious lung sounds
Added sounds superimposed on the basic breath sounds
Adventitious Breath Sounds – Crackles
- Short, high-pitched, discontinuous breath sounds
- Can be described as popping/explosive
- Thought to be the opening of small airways and alveoli during inspiration
Adventitious Breath Sounds - Rhonchi
- Coarse, low-pitched, continuous sounds
- Snoring-like sound made when exhaling
- Due to secretions in the bronchial airways
- Often found in COPD, bronchitis, inflammation, etc.
Adventitious Breath Sounds – Wheezes
- High-pitched, musical sound
- Mostly heard when airways are constricted/partially obstructed
- Could be from bronchospasm, asthma, COPD, & bronchitis
Pleural Friction Rubs
- Sound that occurs when inflamed visceral & parietal pleura rub together
- Harsh scratching/crinkling sound
- Often found in pleurisy, neoplasm, & pulmonary infarction
Stridor
- High-pitched sound
- Generally only heard in inspiration
- Possible obstruction or stenosis
- Should be considered a medical emergency
3 Types of Rib Motion
- Bucket handle
- Pump handle
- Caliber motion
Bucket Handle Rib Motion
- Lateral
- Occurs during inspiration
- Can be visualized as the handle of a bucket lifted w/ attachments
Pump Handle Rib Motion
- Can be visualized as the spine representing a pump w/ sternum acting as the handle
- As inspiration occurs, the handle is lifted
- Results in an increase in the AP diameter
Caliber Rib Motion
- Ribs 11 & 12
- Inspiration results in increase angle
- Similar to motion of calibers
Tactile Fremitus
- The transmission of sound from the bronchial tree to the chest wall as the patient speaks
- It can be assessed by the provider through palpation of the vibratory sensation
- Increased w/ consolidation found in pneumonia
Special Testing for Tactile Fremitus Includes These Tests
- Bronchophony
- Whispered Pectoriloquy
- Egophony
Bronchophony
A technique of assessment for consolidation where vocal resonance is heard louder and clearer over areas of consolidation
Whispered Pectoriloquy
A technique of assessment where the patient whispers a word that is perceived to have an increase in volume or clarity as the provider auscultates
Egophony
- A test for consolidation where the patient is asked to say “E” while the provider auscultates the lungs
- An area of consolidation is encountered when the “E” is perceived as an “A”
