respiratory status assessment

Question 1

Normal Respiratory status

Answer 1

Appearance - Calm/quiet 
Speech - Clear/steady sentences 
Breath sounds/chest auscultation - Usually quiet, no wheeze, nil crackles, may have scattered fine basal crackles 
Rate - 12-16 
Rhythm - Regular even cycles 
Effort - Normal chest movement 
Skin - normal 
Conscious state - normal 
Heart rate - 60-100bpm

Question 2

Mild Respiratory status

Answer 2

Appearance - Calm/mildly anxious
Speech - full sentences
Breath sounds/chest auscultation - Able to cough, Asthma, mild exp wheeze, LVF, Fine basal crackles
Rate - 16-20
Rhythm - slightly prolonged expiratory phrase
Effort - slight increase in work of breathing
Skin - normal
Conscious state - alert
Heart rate - 60-100bpm

Question 3

Moderate respiratory status

Answer 3

Appearance - anxious/distressed 
Speech - short phrases 
Breath sounds/ chest auscultation - Able to cough, Asthma Exp wheeze +/- insp wheeze, LVF, Base to midzone fine crackles 
Rate - >20 
Rhythm - Prolonged expiratory phrase 
Effort - Marked increase in chest movement, accessory muscles +/- intercostal retraction 
Skin - Pale/sweaty 
conscious state - May be altered 
Heart rate - 100-120bpm

Question 4

Severe respiratory status

Answer 4

Appearance - Anxious/distress/catatonic/exhausted/fighting for breath

Speech - single words or unable to talk

Breath sounds/chest auscultation - Unable to cough, Asthma- Exp/insp wheeze, no breath sounds(late) LVF - full field crackles

Rate - >20 (bradypnea <8)
Rhythm - Prolonged expiratory phrase
Effort - Marked chest movement, accessory muscle use, intercostal, trachea tugging (late)
Skin - Pale, sweaty, cyanosis
conscious state - Altered or unconscious
Heart rate - >120 (bradycardia)

Question 5

functions of Resp system

Answer 5

• acid-base balance
• filters air
• metabolism
• gas exchange