THORAX & LUNGS ASSESSMENT Flashcards
The _____ forms the thorax (chest) portion of the body. It consists of the 12 pairs with their costal cartilages and the sternum. These are anchored posteriorly to the 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1-Tl2). It protects the heart and lungs.
thoracic cage (rib cage)
The ribs are classified as ______ and _____. The last two pairs of false ribs are also known as _______
true ribs (1-7) & false ribs (8-12);
floating ribs (11-12).
It is the elongated bony structure that anchors the anterior thoracic cage. It consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
Sternum
The _____ is the wider, superior portion of the sternum.
manubrium
The top of the manubrium has a shallow, U-shaped border called the _______
jugular (suprasternal) notch.
The elongated, central portion of the sternum is the body. The inferior tip of the sternum is the _____. This small structure is cartilaginous early in life, but gradually becomes ossified starting during middle age.
xiphoid process.
It is located between the ribcage (sternum) and the shoulder blade (scapula). It is the bone that connects the arm to the body.
Clavicle
It is the eponymous name given to the sternal angle which is the palpable anatomical feature formed from the manubriosternal junction.
ANGLE OF LOUIS
The _______ is the joint of the sternal body and the manubrium.
manubriosternal junction
This angle of Louis is a ______, a type of joint characterized as a fibrous connection between two bones (the manubrium and the sternal body in the case of the angle of Louis) which does not allow any significant movement.
synarthrosis
ACCORDING TO UNDERLYING LUNGS AND LOBES, RIGHT LUNG HAS ____ LOBES
3 (Upper, Middle, Lower)
ACCORDING TO UNDERLYING LUNGS AND LOBES, LEFT LUNG HAS ____ LOBES
2 (upper & lower)
INSPECTION OF THORAX AND LUNGS INCLUDES:
• Shape
• Scars
• Prominent veins
• Resp rate and rhythm
• Chest wall movement
• Intercostal recession
• Added sounds
• Cyanosis
• Sputum
the chest and abdomen move in the same direction during breathing.
Symmetrical
occur when air gets trapped in the lungs and causes them to overinflate. It can be caused by blockages in the air passages or by air sacs that are less elastic, which interferes with the expulsion of air from the lungs.
Hyperinflated lungs
_____ is an obvious sign that the portion of the chest wall is not assisting with the breathing function.
Paradoxical movement
IN PALPATION OF THORAX AND LUNGS, WE CHECK FOR:
• Tenderness
• Position of apex beat
• Chest wall expansion
The actual beat which you can feel is the very tip of the _____ pushing against the chest wall as the left ventricle contracts and the heart is pushed against it. As you feel the apex beating it should be in time with the carotid pulse.
left ventricle
Assessing for chest expansion (symmetric or asymmetric) provides clues regarding the presence of:
chest wall pathology;
lung volume loss or obstruction
According to a study normal range of chest expansion is _____
2-5 cm
In percussing, start over the clavicles move down anterior chest, ensure to percuss over ______
lateral chest
Description of resonant sound
Long
loud
low pitched
hollow
Description of dull sound
Medium in intensity and pitch;
moderate length
Description of Stony dull sound
Thudlike
Description of Hyper resonant
Very loud;
low pitched
Damage to the lungs results in difficulty blowing air out, causing shortness of breath. Smoking is by far the most common cause of ______.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A form of COPD usually caused by smoking. The fragile walls between the lungs’ air sacs (alveoli) are damaged, trapping air in the lungs and making breathing difficult.
Emphysema
Repeated, frequent episodes of productive cough, usually caused by smoking. Breathing also becomes difficult in this form of COPD.
Chronic bronchitis
Infection in one or both lungs. Bacteria, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae, are the most common cause, but pneumonia may also be caused by a virus.
Pneumonia
Bacteria, especially ______, are the most common cause, but pneumonia may also be caused by a virus.
Streptococcus pneumoniae
The lungs’ airways (bronchi) become inflamed and can spasm, causing shortness of breath and wheezing.
Asthma
_______ often trigger asthma.
Allergies, viral infections, or air pollution
An infection of the lungs’ large airways (bronchi), usually caused by a virus. Cough is the main symptom of ______
Acute bronchitis
A form of interstitial lung disease. The interstitium (walls between air sacs) become scarred, making the lungs stiff and causing shortness of breath.
Pulmonary fibrosis
Fluid builds up in the normally tiny space between the lung and the inside of the chest wall (the pleural space). If large, this can cause problems with breathing.
Pleural effusion
Inflammation of the lining of the lung (pleura), which often causes pain when breathing in. Autoimmune conditions, infections, or a pulmonary embolism may cause pleurisy.
Pleurisy
Autoimmune conditions, infections, or a ______ may cause pleurisy.
pulmonary embolism
The airways (bronchi) become inflamed and expand abnormally, usually after repeated infections. Coughing, with large amounts of mucus, is the main symptom of _______.
Bronchiectasis
______ is the main symptom of bronchiectasis.
Coughing, with large amounts of mucus
A genetic condition in which mucus does not clear easily from the airways. The excess mucus causes repeated episodes
of bronchitis and pneumonia throughout life.
Cystic fibrosis
A collection of conditions in which the interstitium (lining between the air sacs) becomes diseased. Fibrosis (scarring) of the interstitium eventually results, if the process can’t be stopped.
Interstitial lung disease
May affect almost any part of the lung. Most ______ is caused by smoking.
Lung cancer
A slowly progressive pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Chronic cough, fever, weight loss, and night sweats are common symptoms of ______.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, a slowly progressive pneumonia caused by the bacteria ______
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
_______ are common symptoms of tuberculosis.
Chronic cough;
fever;
weight loss;
night sweats
A blood clot (usually from a vein in the leg) may break off and travel to the heart, which pumps the clot (embolus) into the lungs. Sudden shortness of breath is the most common symptom of a ______
Pulmonary embolism
Air in the chest; it occurs when air enters the area around the lung (the pleural space) abnormally. It can be caused by an injury or may happen spontaneously.
Pneumothorax
An _____ is the most common first test for lung problems. It can identify air or fluid in the chest, fluid in the lung, pneumonia, masses, foreign bodies, and other problems.
X-ray
A _________ uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed pictures of the lungs and nearby structures.
Computed tomography (CT scan)
A series of tests to evaluate how well the lungs work. Lung capacity, the ability to exhale forcefully, and the ability to transfer air between the lungs and blood are usually tested.
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
Part of PFIs measures how fast and how much air you can breathe out.
Spirometry
Culturing mucus coughed up from the lungs can sometimes identify the organism responsible for a pneumonia or bronchitis
Sputum culture
Viewing sputum under a microscope for abnormal cells can help diagnose lung cancer and other conditions.
Sputum cytology
A small piece of tissue is taken from the lungs, either through bronchoscopy or surgery. Examining the biopsied tissue under a microscope can help diagnose lung conditions.
Lung biopsy
An endoscope (flexible tube with a lighted camera on its end) is passed through the nose or mouth into the airways (bronchi). A doctor can take biopsies or samples for culture during ________.
Flexible bronchoscopy
A rigid metal tube is introduced through the mouth into the lungs’ airways. It is often more effective than flexible bronchoscopy, but it requires general (total) anesthesia.
Rigid bronchoscopy
An ______ scanner uses radio waves in a magnetic field to create high-resolution images of structures inside the chest.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan)
