Week 3: Respiratory Assessment

Question 1

Define diffusion (in relation to the respiratory system)

Answer 1

movement of O2 & CO2 from or to blood cells either between alveoli in lungs and the cells in the rest of the body

Question 2

Define perfusion

Answer 2

distribution of the blood to the distal tissues

Question 3

Define ventilation

Answer 3

the process of exchange of air between the lungs and the ambient air; Called also breathing

Question 4

The upper airway warms, moistens and transports air to the lower airway where what occur?

Answer 4

oxygenation and ventilation

Question 5

Normal breathing should be what?

Answer 5

effortless, quiet, automatic

Question 6

What is it called when a patient is using all the muscles that aren’t a normal part of breathing (big movements of chest, shoulders, neck)?

Answer 6

use of accessory muscles

Question 7

What is it a sign of when a patient is using accessory muscles?

Answer 7

respiratory distress

Question 8

Define third hand smoke

Answer 8

Thirdhand smoke is residual nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfaces (clothing, car fabric, etc.) by tobacco smoke

Question 9

Smoking is a risk factor for …

Answer 9

everything

Question 10

A cough can be either …

Answer 10

dry or productive

Question 11

A productive cough could contain either …

Answer 11

sputum or pink frothy secretions (which is associated with pulmonary edema).

Question 12

Define pulmonary edema

Answer 12

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs

Question 13

What characteristics of sputum could indicate an infection?

Answer 13

colour (yellow or green, dark) and odour (foul)

Question 14

Define purulent

Answer 14

consisting of, containing, or discharging pus

Question 15

Define abscess

Answer 15

a swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus

Question 16

Define haemoptysis

Answer 16

the coughing up of blood

Question 17

Many meds can produce respiratory problems including what?

Answer 17

oral contraceptive (pulmonary embolism), cytotoxic agents (interstitial lung disease), beta-blockers (bronchospasm), ACE inhibitors (cough)

Question 18

What techniques of physical assessment are relevant when performing a respiratory assessment?

Answer 18

Inspection, auscultation, and occasionally palpation

Question 19

What topics/questions should be asked about when performing a respiratory assessment (focused, subjective data)?

Answer 19

cough? dyspnea? chest pain? 
past medical history
family history (if relevant)
allergies
immunizations
determinants of health 

*self-care activities was included on slide, but not mentioned.

Question 20

Define cyanosis

Answer 20

a bluish discolouration of the skin due to poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood

Question 21

What are the different chest shapes (mentioned in lecture)?

Answer 21

normal adult chest
barrel chest
pectus excavatum (funnel chest)
pectus carinatum (pigeon breast)

Question 22

Define pectus carinatum

Answer 22

also called pigeon chest, is a deformity of the chest characterized by a protrusion of the sternum and ribs

Question 23

Define pectus excavatum

Answer 23

also known as sunken or funnel chest, is a congenital chest wall deformity in which several ribs and the sternum grow abnormally, producing a concave, or caved-in, appearance in the anterior chest wall

Question 24

True or False? Some people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — such as emphysema — develop a slight barrel chest in the later stages of the disease. It occurs because the lungs are chronically overinflated with air, so the rib cage stays partially expanded all the time

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Define emphysema

Answer 25

a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness.

Often due to smoking.

Question 26

Define crepitus

Answer 26

air in subcutaneous tissue (according to lecture)

Question 27

What are the normal breath sounds you should hear when auscultating lung sounds?

Answer 27

Bronchial,
Vesicular (most),
Bronchovesicular

Question 28

What are abnormal sounds when auscultating lung sounds?

Answer 28

Diminished sounds, 
Absent sounds, 
Friction rub, 
Crackles, 
Wheezes

Question 29

How many spots are typically used to auscultate lung sounds?

Answer 29

8 anterior and 8 posterior (16 total)

Question 30

How do we prevent stasis of secretions?

Answer 30

Deep breathing and coughing

Question 31

Define stasis

Answer 31

a period of inactivity:

a stoppage of flow of a body fluid

Question 32

Describe vesicular sounds

Answer 32

Soft, low pitched
‘rustling’ quality with inspiration 
even softer during expiration
majority of lung sounds
inspiration/expiratory ratio  3:1

Question 33

What is a normal respiratory rate for infants?

Answer 33

30-60 beats/minute

Question 34

What type of sound is heard in healthy infants?

Answer 34

Bronchovesicular

Question 35

In pregnancy, there is an increase in what to meet the fetus’ need for oxygen?

Answer 35

Tidal volume

Question 36

True or False: later in pregnancy the diaphragm rises and the costal angle widens to accommodate the enlarging uterus.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

True or False: alveoli tend to fibrose with age resulting in decreased surface area for gas exchange.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

Describe what happens to the respiratory system with aging

Answer 38

the lungs lose elasticity, respiratory strength decreases, cartilage loses flexibility, and bone lose density

Question 39

What features may be indicative of an emergency (or acute onset)?

Answer 39

Dyspnea, decreased level of consciousness, respirations of > 30 breaths/min, SPO2 of <92%, retractions, and use of accessory muscle

Question 40

List health promotion opportunities in regards to respiratory assessment

Answer 40

Assessment of risk factors.
Patient education
Health Promotion
Risk reduction
Smoking cessation
Prevention of occupational exposure
Immunizations
For example, pneumovax, flu vaccine, and Covid 19 vaccines.

Question 41

What is the bony thoracic cage composed of?

Answer 41

the sternum and clavicle anteriorly, 12 vertebrae posteriorly, and 12 pairs of ribs

Question 42

What does the thoracic cavity contain?

Answer 42

The heart, major blood vessels, lungs, distal part of the trachea, thymus, most of the esophagus, and the diaphragm.