Pulmonology terms

Question 1

Airflow limitations

Answer 1

-Can either be expiratory (asthma, COPD), or inspiratory (epiglottitis, goiter)

Question 2

Obstructive vs restrictive

Answer 2

• FEV is amount forced out of lungs in 1 sec, FVC is total amount of air that can be inhaled/exhaled
• Normal FEV/FVC ratio is about .8 (.7)
• However, in restrictive disease TLC is markedly reduced

Question 3

Airway hyperresponsiveness

Answer 3

• Exaggerated response of airways to bronchoconstrictive stimuli
• Associated w/ asthma, often manifests as wheezing +/- cough, chest tightness

Question 4

Atelectasis

Answer 4

-Lung fails to expand b/c air cannot pass beyond the bronchioles, which are blocked by secretions

Question 5

Bronchial breath sounds

Answer 5

• Normal breath sounds detected at upper anterior chest wall
• Abnormal breath sounds detected at posterior chest wall (are of higher frequency and intensity than normal breath sounds)

Question 6

Crackles

Answer 6

• Discontinuous, explosive sound heard during inspiration
• Can vary in duration; fine = short, coarse = long
• Reflect a pathological process in pulmonary tissue (consolidation or infiltration) or airways (opening of small airways, COPD)

Question 7

Egophony

Answer 7

-Asking patient to say “e” will produce an “a” sound over a consolidated area (area full of fluid- will sound dull on percussion)

Question 8

Rhonchi

Answer 8

• Loud, coarse, sounds usually heard during expiration from turbulence due to loose secretions rattling in the airways
• Often heard in bronchitis, asthma

Question 9

Stridor

Answer 9

• Loud, high-pitched sound upon inspiration, denoting upper airway narrowing
• Upper airways collapse during inspiration
• Lower airways (in thorax) collapse during expiration

Question 10

Wheezing

Answer 10

• High-pitched whistling sound heard as air blows thru intrathoracic (lower) airways during expiration
• Airways may be narrowed due to bronchospasm or edema
• Often associated w/ coughing