Respiratory System Assessment

Question 1

Eupnea

Answer 1

Regular, even, rhythmic pattern of breathing

Question 2

Dyspnea

Answer 2

Change in this pattern producing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Question 3

Orthopnea

Answer 3

difficulty breathing when lying down (dyspnea when laying down)

Question 4

Tachypnea

Answer 4

Rapid, shallow respirations
Rate >24
-fever, fear, exercise, respiratory insufficiency, pleuritic pain, alkalosis, pneumonia

Question 5

pleuritic pain

Answer 5

pleura becomes inflamed, the layers rub together causing chest pain (friction)

Question 6

alkalosis

Answer 6

low level of carbon dioxide in the blood that results from rapid or deep breathing

Question 7

Bradypnea

Answer 7

slow, regular respirations
Rate <10
-diabetic coma, drug-induced respiratory depression, increased intracranial pressure

Question 8

Hyperventilation

Answer 8

Rapid, Deep respirations
Rate >24
-extreme exertion, fear, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoxia, salicylate overdose, hypoglycemia

Question 9

Hypoventilation

Answer 9

Irregular, Shallow respirations
Rate <10
-narcotic overdose, anaesthetics, prolonged bed rest, chest splinting

Question 10

Cheyne-Stokes

Answer 10

Periods of deep breathing alternating with periods of apnea

Question 11

Biots (Ataxic) respirations

Answer 11

shallow, deep respirations with periods of apnea
irregular pattern
-respiratory depression, brain damage

Question 12

Obstructive breathing

Answer 12

prolonged expiration

-COPD, asthma, chonic bronchitis

Question 13

when does an individual need immediate medical assistance?

Answer 13

when experiencing chest pain, dyspnea, restlessness, anxious and unable to follow directions

Question 14

circumoral cyanosis, where might this been seen?

Answer 14

blue colour around the mouth

-respiratory distress or hypoxia

Question 15

Pallor

Answer 15

unhealthy pale appearance

Question 16

cyanosis

Answer 16

a bluish discoloration of the skin (poor circulation, inadequate oxygenation of the blood)

Question 17

Rubor

Answer 17

redness of the skin (from inflammation)

Question 18

erythema

Answer 18

redness of the skin or mucous membranes from hyperemia (increased blood flow)

Question 19

Crepitus

Answer 19

crunching feeling under skin caused by air leaking into subcutaneous tissue

Question 20

Fremitus

Answer 20

palpable vibration on the chest wall when the client speaks

-strongly over trachea, diminishes over bronchi, becomes almost non-existent over the alveoli of lungs

Question 21

Increased Fremitus could mean?

Answer 21

fluid in the lungs or in infection

Question 22

resonance

Answer 22

a long, low pitched hollow sound (usual sound in thorax during percussion)

Question 23

hyperresonance

Answer 23

heard in conditions of overinflation of the lungs= emphysema, pneumothorax

Question 24

atelectasis

Answer 24

collapsed lung: obstruction of airflow