Thorax and Lung review Flashcards
2nd intercostal space is used for
needle insertion for tension penumothorax
angle of louis
sternal angle
-5 cm lower than suprasternal notch
4th intercostal space is used for
chest tube insertion
level of the 4th rib
endotracheal tube on chest xray
7th intercostal space is for
thoracentesis needle
What vertebra is the most protruding process when neck is flexed?
c7 vertebra
What spinous process does the lower border of the lung lie around?
T10
Where should the RML be assessed along?
right anterior axillary line
Traits of the right main bronchus
wider, shorter and more vertical
common or concerning symptoms of thorax and lung analysis
dyspnea
wheezing
cough
hemoptysis
angina pectoralis
daytime fatigue
snoring
History to obtain for Dyspnea
-occurs at rest or exertion?
-pt’s daily exercise as a basis
-Timing, setting, any associated symptom and A/A factors
-
in dyspnea secondary to anxiety
-rest and exercise
-hyperventilation
-difficulty breathing/smothering sensation
-paresthesia around lips or extremities
Left sided heart failure
slow progression of dyspnea or sudden onset if pulmonary edema
associated symptoms: orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, sometimes wheezing
Chronic bronchitis
chronic productive cough
slowly progressive dyspnea
-recurrent respiratory infections, wheezing
-HX of smoking, exposure to air pollutants, COPD
COPD
-slowly progressive dsypnea
-cough with scant mucoid sputum
-hx of smoking, air pollutants, familial alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency
Asthma
reversible bronchoconstriction
-symptom free periods
-nocturnal episodes common
-wheezing, cough, tightness in the chest
-Aggravated by allergens, irritants, respiratory infection, exercise, cold and emotional
Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease
progressive dyspnea with rate variable due to cause
-exertion aggravates
-weakness and fatigue
-cough is less common
Pneumonia
acute illness
-aggravated by exertions, smoking
-symptoms: pleuritic pain, sputum, fever (not present in much)
Spontaneous Pneumothorax
air pleural space w partial or full lung collapse
-sudden dyspnea
-pleuritic pain, non productive cough
COMMON: tall & young males, hx of emphysema
Acute Pulmonary Embolism
sudden dyspnea and tachypnea
-no associated symptoms
(sometimes: unilateral leg swelling, retrosternal oppressive pain, pleuritic pain, cough, syncope, hemoptysis, DVT)
-RISK FACTORS: Post-partum, Post-op, bed-rest, heart failure, COPD, fractures of the hips or legs, DVT, hypercoagubility
Anxiety with Hyperventilation
over breathing resulting in alkalosis
-@ rest
-symptoms: sighing, lightheadedness, numbness or tingling, palpitations, angina pectoralis
Duration of Coughs
Acute: < 3 weeks
subactute: 3-8 weeks
Chronic: >8 weeks
Color of Sputum
Yellow/green=bacterial
Clear/white= viral
Foul odor of sputum
indicates lung absess
Symptoms to help determine cause of a cough
fever, wheezing, chest pain, dyspnea, orthopnea
Hemopytsis
-determine the volume, setting and activity, and associated symptoms
Cough and Hemoptysis
Pink frothy sputum seen with
left heart failure
What to ask with chest pain
location of pain
-attributes of chest pain
Tearing from the front of the chest to the back
aortic dissection
Initial Survey signs of Respiratory Distress
tachypnea
Cyanosis or pallor
clubbing of fingernails
Audible breath sounds
accessory muscle use
tracheal displacement
shape of chest
Tracheal displacement is seen in
tension pneumothorax, pleural effusion, atelectasis
Inspection checks for
deformities or asymmetry in chest expansion
intercostal retractions
impaired respiratory movements
Palpation Identifies
Areas of tenderness
palpable crepitus (grating sound)
Masses
Test fo chest expansion
Vocal fremitus
Palpation Process
-Chest expansion (front and back- check how far your thumbs expand)
-Tactile Fremitus (say 99 and use ulna down the chest. 4 on the back and 3 down the front)
-assess for masses
Causes of Unilateral Decrease in chest expansion
chronic fibrosis
pleural effusion
lobar pneumonia
pleural pain with splinting
unilateral bronchial obstruction
paralysis of hemi-diaphragm