Respiratory Assessment

Question 1

What does IPPA mean?

Answer 1

Inspect
Palpation
Percussion
Auscultation

Question 2

On INSPECTION of the chest, what are you looking for?

Answer 2

Scars
Asymmetry (shape of the chest)
Bruises
Discolouration

Question 3

How should the chest be PALPATED?

Answer 3

Place hands on patient’s chest, inferior to the nipples

Wrap fingers around either side of the chest

Bring thumbs together to the midline so they touch

Ask patient to take deep breath

Observe movement of your thumbs, they should move apart equally

If one of your thumbs move less, suggests reduced expansion on that side

reduced expansion can be caused by lung collapse or pneumonia

Question 4

How should the chest be PERCUSSED?

Answer 4

Place nondominant hand on chest wall

Middle finger should lie over the area you want to percuss (intercostal space)

With dominant hands middle finger, strike middle of nondominant hands middle finger

Percuss intercostal spaces and space at the axilla

Question 5

How should you ASCULTATE the chest?

Answer 5

Around the chest and around the shoulder blades

Question 6

What is the placements of the 12 lead?

Answer 6

C1) 4th right intercostal space

C2) 4th left intercostal space

C4) 5th left intercostal space, mid-clavicular

C3) in between C2 and C4

C6) 5th left intercostal space along the axilla

C5) 5th intercostal space along posterior axilla