Thorax & Lungs Flashcards
A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the pleural space.
True or false?
True
A pt is experiencing hypoxia related to an ineffective airway.
Which assessment findings support the presence of hypoxia?
Cyanotic nail beds
Nasal flaring
A pt is reporting symptoms and demonstrating signs associated with dyspnea.
What is the nurse’s initial action?
Begin administering supplemental oxygen
a) Palpate/Anterior Chest
b) Percuss/Anterior
a) Symmetric chest expansion
Palpate the anterior chest wall
b) Predominant note over lung fields
Borders of cardiac dullness
a)________ is a functional respiratory unit that consists of bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and the alveoli.
This bunched arrangement creates surface area for b)_______ that is as large as a tennis court.
a) Acinus
b) Gas exchange
a)________is potential space filled only with few milliliters of lubricating fluid
Pleural cavity
Abnormal findings for the lungs
Respiratory patterns,
Tactile Fremitus,
Lung sounds
Airway
Structure and Functions
- to act as a conductor of air
- to humidify and warm or cool the inspired air
- to prevent foreign materials from entering the tracheobronchial tree
Alveoli
Structure and function
Structure
Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles
Covered in tiny blood vessels called capillaries
- *Function**
- Storage of air for a shorter period
- Permits absorption of oxygen into the blood
- Gas exchange(02 and CO2) When breath in and out
An elderly pt reports a feeling of dyspnea with normal activities of daily living.
What is an action by the nurse?
Observe the client’s respiratory rate and pattern
An old pt respiratory assessment.
The nurse should attribute what finding to age-related changes?
Slight kyphosis
Atelectasis
- The collapse of part or all of a lung
- Caused by a blockage of the air passages or by pressure on the lung
Auscultation
Listen to one full respiration in each location
Side-to-side comparison is most important
Note any abnormal/adventitious breath sounds.
Do not confuse background noise with lung sounds
Breathing
Anteroposterior diameter a) or b), which is accomplished by elevation or depression of ribs
a) increases
b) decreases
Breathing
Vertical diameter a) or b), which is accomplished by downward or upward movement of the diaphragm
a) lengthens
b) shortens
Common abnormal lung sounds 5
- *Wheeze**
- high-pitched whistle sound
- something is making airways narrow, blocking(COPD, asthma)
- Foreign body obstruction
- *Rhonchi**
- low-pitched,continuous sounds like snoring
- Fluid-blocked airways
- *Stridor**
- Loud,High pitched
- Obstructed upper airway
- Common in infants/larynx is soft and floppy
Crackles (rales)
Crackles-rales:small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds
Crackles - fine: usually high in pitch; soft
Crackles - coarse: low in pitch
- *Crepitus**
- Rubbing of parts one against the other
a) Tachypnea?
b) Bradypnea?
a) Respiratory rate that is greater than the normal for age
Asthma,pneumonia,COPD
More than 20 breaths
b) Respiratory rate that is lower than normal for age
lightheadedness,dizziness, tiredness
COPD changes the costal angle, how?
Angle increased
Cyanosis signals __________
hypoxia
Developmental Competence: Pregnancy
- Enlarging uterus elevates diaphragm 4 cm
- Respirations are deeper allowing for a 40% increase in tidal volume
- Diaphragm is elevated, it is not fixed
Developmental Competence:The Aging Adult
- Costal cartilages become calcified/which produces a less mobile thorax
- The lunge rigid that is harder to inflate.
- Histologic changes/less surface area is available for gas exchange
- Increase risk of postoperative pulmonary complications
- May tire easily
- Increase in anteroposterior (AP) diameter
Difference between dyspnea , orthopnea and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
- *Dyspnea**
- Shortness of breath
- Caused by asthma, heart failure, COPD
- *Orthopnea**
- Discomfort when breathing while lying down flat
- Heart isn’t strong enough to pump-out
- *Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea**
- Sensation of shortness of breath that awakens
- Often after 1 or 2 hours of sleep
- Usually relieved in the upright position
Difference between Pleural friction rub, Pericardial friction rub, and Pleural effusion
- *Pleural friction rubs**
- low-pitched, grating, or creaking sound
- More often heard on inspiration than expiration
- *pericardial friction rub**
- High-pitched scratching, grating, or squeaking leathery sound
- Heard best with the diaphragm
- *Pleural effusion**
- A buildup of fluid between the tissues that line the lungs and the chest
- A very muffled sound
Difference between hypoxemia and hypoxia
Hypoxemia
-low oxygen content in the blood
Hypoxia
-low oxygen supply in bodily tissues
Differences between the anterior and posterior side of the lungs
Anterior
- Smaller lower lobes
- lager upper lobes
- Asymmetrical
- Right lung has 3 lobes
Posterior side
- Smaller lobes and larger lower lobes
- Symmetrical
- Two lobes for both lungs
Emphysema?
Abnormal permanent enlargement of bronchioles and alveoli and destruction of the lung parenchyma
Expect to find during inspection of a patient with Asthma
- Increased respiratory rates
- Tachycardia/heart rate over 100 beats a minute
- Bilateral wheezing on expiration
Expect to find during inspection of a patient with Atelectasis
- Cough
- Increased RP and HR
- Breath sounds decrease vesicular or absent over area
Expect to find during inspection of a patient with Emphysema?
- Increased AP diameter/Barrel chest
- Accessory muscles used to aid respiration
- Tripod position
- decreased breath sounds
Expected findings in the normal adult lung include the presence of?
Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus
Functions of Respiratory System
- Supplying oxygen for energy production
- Removing carbon dioxide as a waste product
- Maintaining homeostasis (acid-base balance) of arterial blood
- By supplying oxygen to blood and eliminating excess carbon dioxide,
- Maintains pH or acid-base balance of blood
Health history question
Cough
Do you have a cough? When did it start?
Gradual or sudden?
Shortness of breath
Have you ever had any shortness of breath or hard breathing?
What brings it on? How severe is it? How long does it last?
Chest pain with breathing
Do you have any chest pain with breathing?
Please point to the exact location.
Past history of respiratory infections
Do you have any past history of breathing trouble or lung diseases like bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, pneumonia?
Smoking history
Do you smoke cigarettes or cigars?
At what age did you start? How many packs per day do you smoke now?
For how long?
Environmental exposure
Are there any environmental conditions that may affect your breathing?
Where do you work? At a factory, chemical plant, coal mine, farming, outdoors in a heavy traffic area?
Self-care behaviors
Last tuberculosis skin test, chest x-ray study, pneumonia or influenza immunization?
Suprasternal notch
Hollow U-shaped depression above sternum
How do you determine the difference between pleural friction rub and pericardial friction rub?
-Ask the patient to hold the breath briefly
-If the rubbing sound continues, it’s a pericardial friction rub
A pleural rub stops when breathing stops
Ask the patient to hold the breath briefly
- If the rubbing sound continues, it’s a pericardial friction rub
- A pleural rub stops when breathing stops
What muscles do you use to breathe?
Diaphragm,
Intercostal muscles
Hyperventilation
Rapid, deep breathing
Ride of carbon dioxide
Hypoventilation
Slow, shallow breathing
Carbon dioxide level rises
Hypoxemia
A low level of oxygen in the blood
Increased transmission of voice sounds over the right lung.
What would this indicate to the nurse?
The lung has become airless
-increased transmission of voice sounds suggests that air-filled lung has become airless
Inhalation and Exhalation
- Inhalation Diaphragm contracts/moves down
- Exhalation Diaphragm relaxes/moves up
Initial survey of respiration and the thorax
Rate, rhythm, depth, and effort of breathing
Facial expression
Level of consciousness
Assess patient’s color
Listen to patient’s breathing
Inspect the neck
Observe shape of chest
Inspection/Anterior Chest
- Shape and configuration of the chest wall
- Facial expression
- Level of consciousness
- Skin color and condition
- Quality of respirations
- Rib interspaces
- Accessory muscles
Inspection
-Thorax is symmetric with downward sloping ribs
-About 45 degrees relative to the spine
-Scapulae are placed symmetrically in each hemithorax
-AP diameter should be < than transverse diameter.
-Assess skin color, lips, & nail beds
-Note facial expression
Assess LOC
Landmarks for Anterior Thorax and Lungs
Suprasternal notch
Sternal angle (Angle of Louis)
Costal angle