Respiratory exam Flashcards
Purpose of oxygen therapy:
use lowest fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) to have an acceptable blood oxygen level without causing harmful side effects
Most patients with hypoxia require an oxygen flow of:
2-4L/min via nasal cannula or up to 40% Venturi mask to achieve an oxygen saturation of at least 95%
For a patient who is hypoxemia and has chronic hypercarbia, the FiO2 delivered should be titrated to..
correct the hypoxemia to achieve generally acceptable oxygen saturations in the range of 88%-92%
Best measure for determining the need for oxygen therapy and evaluating its effects:
ABG (arterial blood gas)
Parameters to monitor for hypoxemia include:
level of consciousness
respiratory pattern and rate
pulse oximetry
Lung injury from oxygen toxicity (same as ARDS) include problems such as
dyspnea
nonproductive cough
chest pain beneath the sternum
GI upset
crackles on auscultation
Prolonged exposure to high oxygen levels can cause:
atelectasis
pulmonary edema
hemorrhage
hyaline membrane formation may form
Notify the healthcare provider when PaO2 levels become:
greater than 90 mm Hg
Nitrogen purpose:
Nitrogen in air maintains patent airways and alveoli.
Prevents alveolar collapse
What happens during atelectasis?
When nitrogen is diluted, oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood and the alveoli collapse
Atelectasis is detected as
crackles and decreased breath sounds on auscultation
Monitor the patient receiving high levels of oxygen closely for indications of:
absorptive atelectasis (new onset of crackles and decreased breath sounds) every 1-2 hours when oxygen therapy is started and as often as needed thereafter
Humidify delivery system when oxygen flow rate is:
higher than 4L/min
Humidifier or nebulizer must be changed
as per agency policy which ranges from 24 hours-every 7 days
Low flow systems have a low:
fraction if inspired oxygen (FiO2)
do not provide enough oxygen to meet the total oxygen need and air volume of patient.
part of tidal volume is supplied by the patient as he or she breathes room air
High flow systems have:
a flow rate that meets the entire oxygen need and tidal volume regardless of the patient’s breathing pattern
used for critically ill patients
when delivery of precise levels of oxygen is needed
Low flow systems include:
nasal cannula
simple facemask
partial rebreather mask
non-rebreather mask
(oxygen is diluted with RA 21% oxygen, which lowers the amount actually inspired)
Nasal cannula (prongs) are used at which flow rates?
1-6L/min
Oxygen concentrations of 24% (1L/min) to 44% (6L/min) can be achieved
Nasal cannula is often used for:
chronic lung disease
any patient needing long-term oxygen therapy
Simple facemarks are used to deliver oxygen concentrations of and minimum flow rate:
40%-60% for short-term oxygen therapy or in an emergency
5L/min is needed to prevent the rebreathing of exhaled air
Partial rebreather masks provide oxygen concentrations of and flow rates:
60%-75% with flow rates of 6-11L/min
Non-rebreather masks provide/flow rate/purpose:
Highest oxygen level of the low-flow systems and can deliver an FiO2 greater than 90% depending on patient’s breathing pattern
Used with patients whose respiratory status is unstable and who may require intubation
Flow rate is kept high 10-15L/min
High flow systems include/oxygen concentrations/flow rates:
Venturi mask
Aerosol mask
Face tent
Tracheostomy collar
T-piece
oxygen concentrations from 24%-100%
8-15L/min
Which O2 therapy delivers the most accurate oxygen concentration without intubation?
Venturi masks
Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation is used to manage:
dyspnea
hypercarbia
acute exacerbations of COPD
cardiogenic pulmonary edema
acute asthma attacks
Bronchial (tubular, tracheal) characteristics:
High pitch
Loud amplitude
Inspiration < expiration
Harsh, hollow, tubular blowing
Trachea and larynx
Bronchovesicular characteristics:
Moderate pitch
Moderate amplitude
Inspiration=expiration
Mixed quality
Located over major bronchi
Vesicular characteristics:
Low pitch
soft amplitude
Inspiration > expiration
Rustling, like the sound of the wind in the trees
Located over peripheral lung fields
Fine crackles, fine rales, high-pitched rales association: (6)
Asbestosis
Atelectasis
Interstitial fibrosis
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Chronic pulmonary disease
Fine crackles, fine rales, high-pitched rales character:
Popping, discontinuous sounds caused by air moving into previously deflated airways
hair being rolled between fingers near ear
“velcro” sounds late in inspiration
Coarse crackles, low-pitched crackles association: (4)
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Tumors
Pulmonary edema
Coarse crackles, low-pitched crackles character:
Lower-pitched, coarse, rattling sounds caused by fluid or secretions in large airways; likely to change with coughing or suctioning
Wheeze association: (5)
Inflammation
Bronchospasm
Edema
Secretions
Pulmonary vessel engorgement (as in cardiac “asthma”)
Wheeze character:
squeaky, musical, continuous sounds associated with air rushing through narrowed airways
may be heard without a stethoscope
arise from small airways
do not clear with coughing
Ronchi association: (4)
Thick, tenacious secretions
sputum production
obstruction by foreign body
tumors
Ronchi character:
lower-pitched, coarse, continuous snoring sounds
arise from large airways
Pleural friction rub association: (5)
Pleurisy
TB
Pulmonary infarction
Pneumonia
Lung cancer
Pleural friction character:
Loud, rough, grating, scratching sounds caused by inflamed surfaces of the pleura rubbing together; often associated with pain on deep inspirations
heard in lateral lung fields
Smoking while using drugs for nicotine replacement therapy is bad because
it greatly increases circulating nicotine levels and the risk for stroke or heart attack
Bupropion and varenicline carry a black box warning that use of these drugs can cause
manic behavior
hallucinations
may unmask serious mental health issues
Black people and others with dark skin usually show what kind of oxygen saturation
lower o2 sat (3%-5%) as measured by pulse ox
this results from deeper coloration of the nail bed and does not reflect true oxygen status
Manifestations of pneumothorax:
pain on the affected side that is worse at the end of inhalation and the end of exhalation
rapid heart rate
rapid shallow respirations
feeling of air hunger
prominence of the affected side that does not move in and out with respiratory effort
trachea slanted more to the unaffected side instead of being in the center of the neck
new onset of “nagging” cough
cyanosis
Red blood cell range:
Females: 4.2-5.4 million/mm3
Males: 4.7-6.1 million/mm3
Hemoglobin range:
Females: 12-16g/dL
Males: 14-18g/dL
Hematocrit range:
Females: 37%-47%
Males: 42%-52%
WBC range:
5,000-10,000/mm3
PaO2 range:
80-100mmHg
PaCO2 range:
35-45mmHg
pH ranges:
Up to 60 year: 7.35-7.45
60-90 year: 7.31-7.42
> 90 year: 7.26-7.43
HCO3- range:
21-28mEq/L
SpO2 range:
95%-100%
Older adults: values may be slightly lower
Factors affecting right shift:
Acidosis
Hypercapnia
Hyperthermia
Elevated DPG
Hyperthyroidism
Anemia
Chronic hypoxia
Factors affecting left shift:
Alkalosis
Hypocapnia
Hypothermia
Decreased DPG
CO poisoning
Blood transfusion
Subjective data in assessment of respiratory system:
Coughing (productive, non productive)
Sputum (type and amount)
Allergies, dyspnea, SOB (at rest or exertion)
Chest pain, hx of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, TB
Cyanosis, pallor
Exposure to environmental inhalants (chemicals, fumes)
Hx of smoking (amount and length of time)
4 techniques for respiratory exam (IPPA)
Inspect
Palpate
Percussion
Auscultation
Tachypnea rate:
over 20 for adult!
Bradypnea rate:
Less than 10!
Absent or decreased breath sounds can occur in: (4)
Foreign body
Bronchial obstruction
Shallow breathing
Emphysema
Stridor character:
Inspiratory musical wheeze
loudest over trachea
suggests obstructed trachea or larynx
requires immediate attention
associated condition
inhaled foreign body
Medical conditions associated with decreased or absent of breath sounds:
Asthma
COPD
Pleural effusion (fluid accumulating within pleural space)
Pneumothorax (accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space)
ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome)
Atelectasis (lung collapses)
5 main symptoms of respiratory disease:
Cough
Breathlessness
Sputum
Wheeze
Pain
Psychosocial respiratory assessment:
Lifestyle
occupational hazards
sleep apnea
anxiety/stress
sedentary jobs
athletes
eating habits
Diagnostic lab/imaging assessments used:
Chest x-rays
CT scans
VQ scan
ABG’s
CBC
Sputum test
Noninvasive diagnostic assessment:
Pulse ox
capnometery or Capnography (measures amount of carbon dioxide present in exhaled air)
Pulmonary function test (evaluates lung volumes and capacities, flow rates, diffusion capacity, gas exchange, airway resistance, distribution of ventilation)
Exercise testing
Invasive diagnostic assessment:
Endoscopic examinations
thoracentesis (aspiration of pleural fluid or air from pleural space)
lung biopsy (obtain tissue for histologic analysis, culture, cytologic examination)
Alveoli changes in aging
Alveolar surface area decreases
Diffusion capacity decreases
Elastic recoil decreases
Bronchioles and alveolar ducts dilate
Ability to cough decreases
Airways close early
Lung changes in aging:
RV increases
vital capacity decreases
Efficiency of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange decreases
elasticity decreases
Pharynx and Larynx changes in aging
Muscles atrophy
Vocal cords become slack
Laryngeal muscles lose elasticity and airways lose cartilage
Pulmonary Vasculature changes in aging:
Vascular resistance to blood flow through pulmonary vascular system increases
Pulmonary capillary blood volume decreases
risk for hypoxia increases
Exercise tolerance changes in aging
Body’s response to hypoxia and hypercarbia decreases
Muscle strength changes in aging:
Respiratory muscle strength, especially the diaphragm and the intercostals decreases
Susceptibility to infection changes in aging:
Effectiveness of cilia decreases
Immunoglobulin A decreases
Alveolar macrophages are altered
Chest wall changes in aging:
Anteroposterior diameter increases
Thorax becomes shorter
Progressive kyphoscoliosis occurs
Chest wall compliance (elasticity) decreases
Mobility of chest wall may decrease
Osteoporosis is possible, leading to chest wall abnormalities
Follow up care for lung biopsy:
Assess vital signs, breath sounds at least every 4 hours for 24 hours
assess for respiratory distress
report reduced/absent breath sounds immediately
monitor for hemoptysis
Respiratory distress signs:
dyspnea
nasal flaring
use of accessory muscles to breathe
Pursed-lip or diaphragmatic breathing
decreased endurance
pallor
diaphoresis
tachypnea
Hypoxemia:
low levels of oxygen in the blood
Hypoxia:
decreased tissue oxygenation
Goal of oxygen therapy:
Use lowest fraction of inspired oxygen for acceptable blood oxygen level without causing harmful side effects
Hazards and complications of oxygen therapy:
combustion
oxygen induced hypoventilation
- hypercarbia: retention of CO2
- CO2 narcosis: loss of sensitivity to high levels of CO2
Oxygen toxicity
Absorption atelectasis- new onset of crackles/decreased breath sounds
drying of mucous membranes
infection
Must assess for what with nasal cannula
latency of nostrils
changes in respiratory rate and depth
High flow oxygen delivery system can deliver:
24%-100% at 8-15L/min
Venturi mask:
delivers precise O2 concentration-best for chronic lung disease
switch to nasal cannula during mealtimes
T-Piece:
delivers desired FiO2 for tracheostomy, laryngectomy, ET tubes
ensures humidification through creation of mist
mist should be seen during inspiration and expiration
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV):
uses positive pressure to keep alveoli open, improve gas exchange without airway intubation
BiPAP
CPAP
CPAP:
Delivers set positive airway pressure throughout each cycle of inhalation and exhalation
opens collapsed alveoli
used for atelectasis after surgery or cardiac induced pulmonary edema, sleep apnea
Transtracheal oxygen delivery (TTO)
Long-term delivery of O2 directly into lungs
small, flexible catheter is passed into trachea through small incision
avoids irritation that nasal prongs cause, more comfortable
flow rates prescribed for rest, activity
Possible complications of tracheostomy:
pneumothrorax
subcutaneous emphysema
bleeding
infection
Prevention of tissue damage with tracheostomy:
Cuff pressure can cause mucosal ischemia
use minimal leak and occlusive techniques
check cuff pressure often
prevent tube friction and movement
prevent/treat malnutrition, hemodynamic instability, hypoxia
Causes of hypoxia in the tracheostomy:
ineffective oxygenation before, during, after suctioning
use of catheter that is too large for the artificial airway
prolonged suctioning time
excessive suction pressure
too frequent suctioning