Practical Practice Flashcards
Assessing Jugular Distention
-Elevate head of bed at least 45 degrees
-Vein is considered distended if it is distended above the levels of the clavicle
**indicates an early sign for R sided HF
Tracheal Shift
Evaluate the mediastinum to assess for tracheal shift
-trachea shifts to affected side when intrathoracic pressure on that sided is decreased = lobectomy or atelectasis
-trachea shifts to unaffected side when there is an increased pressure on that side = pleural effusion, pneumothorax or tumor
**moves toward the least amount of pressure
Upper Lobe Chest Wall Motion
Palm of hands anterior over chest wall from 4th rib up- fingers are stretched up and over the traps, thumbs are over the middle of the chest
**checking timing of movement and symmetry of movement while patient breathes quietly and during deep breaths
Right middle lobe and left lingula chest wall motion
Place fingers laterally over posterior axillary folds and place thumbs firmly over chest wall (under breast tissue)
**checking timing of movement and symmetry of movement while patient breathes quietly and during deep breaths
Lower Chest Wall Motion
With the patient’s back to you, wrap fingers around anterior axillary folds and place your thumbs around the base of the scapulae
**checking timing of movement and symmetry of movement while patient breathes quietly and during deep breaths
Palpation Fremitus
Palms are placed lightly on the chest wall while the patient repeats the words “99”
-Normal: there should be a uniform vibration throughout the entire chest
-Presence of secretions in the airway: fremitus is increased and there is a decreases presence of air
Assessing Diaphragmatic Breathing
Place thumbs over the costal margins with thumb tips meeting at xiphoid process. Have patient take a deep inhale- thumbs should travel equally apart (at least 2-3 inches)
**assess the involvement of diaphragm during breathing while also the use of accessory muscles
Mediate Percussion
Place the middle finger of one hand over the area being evaluated then tap on that middle finger with the other hand- to assess any changes in lung density and to assess diaphragmatic excursion
-Normal: normal resonance is produced= normal lung tissue
-Dull: “thud” sounds when percussion is over solid organs
-Tympanic: loud, long and hollow sound= hyper-inflated chest
Normal Lung Auscultation
- Vesicular sounds: In the peripheral lung fields- soft, low pitched sounds heard during inspiration
- Bronchial sounds: Over the anterior chest wall and anterior tracheal area- tutbular sounds, loud, high pitched sounds during both inspiratory and expiratory
- Bronchiovesicular sounds: Anteriorly over 1st and 2nd intercostal space near sternum and posteriorly over the bronchi (between scapulae)- soft version of bronchial sounds
Abnormal Lung Auscultations
- Continuous Sounds: Wheezes
-constant pitch with varying duration
-associated with airway obstruction
-usually heard on exhale- heard on inhale can indicate severe obstruction - Discontinuous Sounds: Crackles
-brief bursts of popping bubbles
-more common during inspiration
-could be associated with restrictive or obstructive disorders
-could be a result from the sudden opening of closed airways or of the movement of secretion during inspiration/exhalation (fluid in airway)
**weaker and softer sounds are heard in presence of hyperinflation
**stronger and louder sounds are heard in the presence of consolidation (secretions)
Ecophany
Using a stethoscope across the lung tissue, have patient say “EE”- should be a soft and muffled sound
Abnormal: sounds like “AY”- indicates consolidation (secretions)
Tripod Positioning
Leaning forward on support hands to provide DYSPNEA relief
-provides the diaphragm with an increased strength of contraction
Positions:
1. sitting while leaning forward on forearms
2. standing while leaning forward with hands out on counter top
3. sitting while leaning forward with head on desk under pillows
Pursed Lip Breathing
-pt breathes out against lips that are mostly closed and shaped in a circular fashion
-performed to alleviate the trapping of air in the lungs and improving gas exchange
-slows respiratory rate
**used to decrease symptoms of dyspnea
Paradoxical Breathing
Abnormal chest movement where the chest moves inward during inhalation rather than outward
-pts must contract abdominals during exhalation to decrease air trapped within the lungs
-an indicator of advanced COPD
Airway Clearance Techniques
-percussion
-vibration
-postural drainage
-active cycle of breathing
-deep breathing
-coughing
-positive expiratory pressure
-PEP devices
-aerobic exercise
-vibration vest
**should be performed at least 30 minutes after a meal or feeding tube
Percussion
Therapist uses cupped hands to apply “forceful” pressure to the affected segments of the lungs
-hands should fall on chest in an even, steady rhythm between 100-480 times per min
-duration: 3-5 mins
-NOT done on bare skin
**used to loosed secretions
Vibration
Using the palmar aspect of the therapist’s hands, they apply full contact with the patient’s chest wall with one hand overlapping the other. Keep arms extended. After a deep inhale, the therapist applies pressure to their chest wall and gently oscillates it through the end of expiration
-performed after percussions
-lasts for 1-10 breaths
**used to clear secretions from the affected segments
Precautions for Percussion and Vibrations
-uncontrolled bronchospasms
-osteoporosis
-rib fractures
-cancer of ribs
-tumor obstruction of airway
-anxiety
-coagulopathy
-convulsive or seizure disorder
-recent pacemaker placement
Contraindications for Percussion and Vibrations
-hemoptysis
-untreated tension penumothorax
-platelet count below 20,000 per mm
-unstable hemodynamic status
-open wounds, burns in thoracic area
-pulmonary embolism
-subcutaneous emphysema
-recent skin graft or flaps on thorax
Postural Drainage Precautions
-pulmonary embolism
-hemoptysis
-massive obesity
-large pleural effusion
-massive ascites
Postural Drainage contraindications
-increased ICP
-hemodynamically unstable
-recent spinal fusion or injury
-recent head trauma
-diaphragmatic hernia
-recent eye surgery
Contraindications for Trendelenburg positioning
-ICP >20 mmHg
-uncontrolled hTN
-for patients when increased ICP should be avoided
-esophageal surgery
-distended abdomen
-recent hemoptysis related to recent lung carcinoma
-uncontrolled airway at risk for aspiration
-CHF
-cardiomegaly
Contraindications for Reverse Trendelenburg Positioning
-hypotension
-history of orthostatic hypotension
-vasoactive medications
Number of Postural Drainage Positions
12 total
-5: upper lobes
-2: middle/lingular lobes
-5: lower lobes
**the longer they can remain in the position the better
Postural Drainage: Anterior Upper Segments of Upper Lobes
Seated- Angled 30-45 degrees backwards in reclined position
Percussion and Auscultation Placement: Anterior Upper Segments of Upper Lobes
Over the traps between the clavicle anteriorly while angled 30-45 degrees backward in reclined seating
Percussion and Auscultation Placement: Posterior Apical Segment of upper lobes
Over traps muscle on top of shoulder (somewhat posteriorly on the back of the shoulder) while sitting upright in bed while leaning forward
Postural Drainage: Posterior Apical Segment of upper lobes
Sitting upright in bed or chair while leaning forward