Respiratory System

Question 1

Dyspnea

Answer 1

orthopnea, DOE, PND
-clincal significance: sudden, wheeze, circumstances, rating scale

-relief measures: positioning, pursed-lip breathing, fan, oxygen, opioids, anti-anxiety agents, coping strategies for chronic or persistent dyspnea

Question 2

Cough

Answer 2

protective reflex, symptom, common reason for seeking health care
-Clinical significance: characteristics of the cough, night time cough or morning cough, position, duration

-Relief measures: depends of cause, suppresents, antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, H2 blockers or PPI, smoking cessation, warm beverages

Question 3

Chest pain

Answer 3

associated with pulmonary or cardiac, & other; local or radiates
-clinical significance: pneumonia, PE, cancer, pleuritic; assess quality, intensity, & radiation, precipitating factors

Relief measure: analgesic meds, NSAIDs, positioning, splinting

Question 4

Hemptysis

Answer 4

common symptom of pulmonary and cardiac disorders

Question 5

Wheezing

Answer 5

found with bronchoconstriction or airway narrowing

- wheezes are high-pitched
    - expiration (asthma)
    - Inspiration (bronchitis)

Question 6

Rhonchi

Answer 6

(sonorous wheezes) low pitched in partial airway

-Resembles snoring sound

Question 7

Crackles

Answer 7

• Fine or course
• associated with fluid, bubbling or rattle
• Soft, high pitch popping

Question 8

Stidor

Answer 8

• harsh & squeaking

- blocked airway

Question 9

Friction Rub

Answer 9

scratchy, grating

Question 10

Inspection of Color

Answer 10

• cyanosis
• an anemic patient may not show cyanosis
• central cyanosis: tongue & lips
• peripheral cyanosis: nailbeds

Question 11

Inspection for clubbing of the fingers

Answer 11

• found in chronic hypoxic conditions, chronic lung & pleural infections, or lung malignancies
• painless, usually bilateral & reversible