CH 18: Thorax and Lungs

During palpation of the anterior chest wall, the nurse notices a coarse, crackling sensation over the skin surface. On the basis of these findings, the nurse suspects: a. Tactile fremitus. b. Crepitus. c. Friction rub. d. Adventitious sounds.

ANS: crepitus. Crepitus is a coarse, crackling sensation palpable over the skin surface. It occurs in subcutaneous emphysema when air escapes from the lung and enters the subcutaneous tissue, as after open thoracic injury or surgery.

A patient comes to the clinic complaining of a cough that is worse at night but not as bad during the day. The nurse recognizes that this may indicate: a. Pneumonia. b. Postnasal drip or sinusitis. c. Exposure to irritants at work. d. Chronic bronchial irritation from smoking.

ANS: postnasal drip or sinusitis. A cough that occurs mainly at night may indicate postnasal drip or sinusitis. Exposure to irritants at work causes an afternoon or evening cough. Smokers experience early morning coughing. Coughing associated with acute illnesses such as pneumonia is continuous throughout the day.

Exert pressure on the bony prominences when holding the

eyelids open The nurse should hold the client's upper lid against the eyebrow and the lower lid against the cheekbone when irrigating the eye.

The nurse is assessing voice sounds during a respiratory assessment. Which of these findings indicates a normal assessment? Select all that apply. a. Voice sounds are faint, muffled, and almost inaudible when the patient whispers "one, two, three" in a very soft voice. b. As the patient repeatedly says "ninety-nine," the examiner clearly hears the words "ninety-nine." c. When the patient speaks in a normal voice, the examiner can hear a sound but cannot exactly distinguish what is being said. d. As the patient says a long "ee-ee-ee" sound, the examiner also hears a long "ee-ee-ee" sound. e. As the patient says a long "ee-ee-ee" sound, the examiner hears a long "aaaaaa" sound.

ANS: A. Voice sounds are faint, muffled, and almost inaudible when the patient whispers "one, two, three" in a very soft voice. C. When the patient speaks in a normal voice, the examiner can hear a sound but cannot distinguish exactly what is being said. D. As the patient says a long "ee-ee-ee" sound, the examiner also hears a long "ee-ee-ee" sound. As a patient says "ninety-nine" repeatedly, normally, the examiner hears sound but cannot distinguish what is being said. If a clear "ninety-nine" is auscultated, then it could indicate increased lung density, which enhances transmission of voice sounds. This is a measure of bronchophony. When a patient says a long "ee-ee-ee" sound, normally the examiner also hears a long "ee-ee-ee" sound through auscultation. This is a measure of egophony. If the examiner hears a long "aaaaaa" sound instead, this could indicate areas of consolidation or compression. With whispered pectoriloquy, as when a patient whispers a phrase such as "one-two-three," the normal response when auscultating voice sounds is to hear sounds that are faint, muffled, and almost inaudible. If the examiners hears the whispered voice clearly, as if the patient is speaking through the stethoscope, then consolidation of the lung fields may exist.

A 65-year-old patient with a history of heart failure comes to the clinic with complaints of "being awakened from sleep with shortness of breath." Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Obtaining a detailed health history of the patient's allergies and a history of asthma b. Telling the patient to sleep on his or her right side to facilitate ease of respirations c. Assessing for other signs and symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea d. Assuring the patient that paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is normal and will probably resolve within the next week

ANS: Assess for other signs and symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. The patient is experiencing paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea: being awakened from sleep with shortness of breath and the need to be upright to achieve comfort.

When assessing tactile fremitus, the nurse recalls that it is normal to feel tactile fremitus most intensely over which location? a. Between the scapulae b. Third intercostal space, MCL c. Fifth intercostal space, midaxillary line (MAL) d. Over the lower lobes, posterior side

ANS: Between the scapulae Normally, fremitus is most prominent between the scapulae and around the sternum. These are sites where the major bronchi are closest to the chest wall. Fremitus normally decreases as one progress down the chest because more tissue impedes sound transmission.

A patient has been admitted to the emergency department with a possible medical diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The nurse expects to see which assessment findings related to this condition? a. Absent or decreased breath sounds b. Productive cough with thin, frothy sputum c. Chest pain that is worse on deep inspiration and dyspnea d. Diffuse infiltrates with areas of dullness upon percussion

ANS: Chest pain that is worse on deep inspiration, dyspnea Findings for pulmonary embolism include chest pain that is worse on deep inspiration, dyspnea, apprehension, anxiety, restlessness, PaO2 less than 80, diaphoresis, hypotension, crackles, and wheezes.

A patient with pleuritis has been admitted to the hospital and complains of pain with breathing. What other key assessment finding would the nurse expect to find upon auscultation? a. Stridor b. Friction rub c. Crackles d. Wheezing

ANS: Friction rub A patient with pleuritis will exhibit a pleural friction rub upon auscultation. This is the sound made when pleurae become inflamed and rub together during respiration. The sound is superficial, coarse, and low-pitched, as if two pieces of leather are being rubbed together. Stridor is associated with croup, acute epiglottitis in children, and foreign body inhalation. Crackles are associated with several diseases, such as pneumonia, heart failure, chronic bronchitis, and others (see Table 18-6). Wheezes are associated with diffuse airway obstruction caused by acute asthma or chronic emphysema.

A patient has been admitted to the emergency department for a suspected drug overdose. His respirations are shallow, with an irregular pattern, with a rate of 12 per minute. The nurse interprets this respiration pattern as which of the following? a. Bradypnea b. Cheyne-Stokes respirations c. Hypoventilation d. Chronic obstructive breathing

ANS: Hypoventilation Hypoventilation is characterized by an irregular, shallow pattern, and can be caused by an overdose of narcotics or anesthetics. Bradypnea is slow breathing, with a rate less than 10 respirations per minute. See Table 18-4 for descriptions of Cheyne-Stokes respirations and chronic obstructive breathing.

During an assessment, the nurse knows that expected assessment findings in the normal adult lung include the presence of: a. Adventitious sounds and limited chest expansion. b. Increased tactile fremitus and dull percussion tones. c. Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus. d. Absent voice sounds and hyperresonant percussion tones.

ANS: Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremits. Normal lung findings include symmetric chest expansion, resonant percussion tones, vesicular breath sounds over the peripheral lung fields, muffled voice sounds, and no adventitious sounds.

During auscultation of the lungs, the nurse expects decreased breath sounds to be heard in which situation? a. When the bronchial tree is obstructed b. When adventitious sounds are present c. In conjunction with whispered pectoriloquy d. In conditions of consolidation, such as pneumonia

ANS: When the bronchial tree is obstructed Decreased or absent breath sounds occur when the bronchial tree is obstructed, as in emphysema, and when sound transmission is obstructed, as in pleurisy, pneumothorax, or pleural effusion.

A teenage patient comes to the emergency department with complaints of an inability to breathe and a sharp pain in the left side of his chest. The assessment findings include cyanosis, tachypnea, tracheal deviation to the right, decreased tactile fremitus on the left, hyperresonance on the left, and decreased breath sounds on the left. The nurse interprets that these assessment findings are consistent with: a. Bronchitis. b. Pneumothorax. c. Acute pneumonia. d. Asthmatic attack.

ANS: a pneumothorax. With a pneumothorax, free air in the pleural space causes partial or complete lung collapse. If the pneumothorax is large, then tachypnea and cyanosis are seen. Unequal chest expansion, decreased or absent tactile fremitus, tracheal deviation to the unaffected side, decreased chest expansion, hyperresonant percussion tones, and decreased or absent breath sounds are found with the presence of pneumothorax. See Table 18-8 for descriptions of the other conditions.

An adult patient with a history of allergies comes to the clinic complaining of wheezing and difficulty in breathing when working in his yard. The assessment findings include tachypnea, use of accessory neck muscles, prolonged expiration, intercostal retractions, decreased breath sounds, and expiratory wheezes. The nurse interprets that these assessment findings are consistent with: a. Asthma. b. Atelectasis. c. Lobar pneumonia. d. Heart failure.

ANS: asthma. Asthma is allergic hypersensitivity to certain inhaled particles that produces inflammation and a reaction of bronchospasm, which increases airway resistance, especially during expiration. Increased respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles, retraction of intercostal muscles, prolonged expiration, decreased breath sounds, and expiratory wheezing are all characteristic of asthma. See Table 18-8 for descriptions of the other conditions.

The nurse is auscultating the lungs of a patient who had been sleeping and notices short, popping, crackling sounds that stop after a few breaths. The nurse recognizes that these breath sounds are: a. Atelectatic crackles that do not have a pathologic cause. b. Fine crackles and may be a sign of pneumonia. c. Vesicular breath sounds. d. Fine wheezes.

ANS: atelectatic crackles, and that they are not pathologic. One type of adventitious sound, atelectatic crackles, is not pathologic. They are short, popping, crackling sounds that sound like fine crackles but do not last beyond a few breaths. When sections of alveoli are not fully aerated (as in people who are asleep or in the elderly), they deflate slightly and accumulate secretions. Crackles are heard when these sections are expanded by a few deep breaths. Atelectatic crackles are heard only in the periphery, usually in dependent portions of the lungs, and disappear after the first few breaths or after a cough.

The nurse knows that a normal finding when assessing the respiratory system of an elderly adult is: a. Increased thoracic expansion. b. Decreased mobility of the thorax. c. Decreased anteroposterior diameter. d. Bronchovesicular breath sounds throughout the lungs.

ANS: decreased mobility of the thorax. The costal cartilages become calcified with aging, resulting in a less mobile thorax. Chest expansion may be somewhat decreased, and the chest cage commonly shows an increased anteroposterior diameter.

The nurse is percussing over the lungs of a patient with pneumonia. The nurse knows that percussion over an area of atelectasis in the lungs would reveal: a. Dullness. b. Tympany. c. Resonance. d. Hyperresonance.

ANS: dullness. A dull percussion note signals an abnormal density in the lungs, as with pneumonia, pleural effusion, atelectasis, or tumor.

The nurse is reviewing the characteristics of breath sounds. Which statement about bronchovesicular breath sounds is true? They are: a. Musical in quality. b. Usually caused by a pathologic disease. c. Expected near the major airways. d. Similar to bronchial sounds except shorter in duration.

ANS: expected near the major airways. Bronchovesicular sounds are heard over major bronchi where fewer alveoli are located: posteriorly, between the scapulae, especially on the right; anteriorly, around the upper sternum in the first and second intercostal spaces. The other responses are not correct.

Bronchial breath sounds are caused by

consolidation and sound high-pitched and loud.

Crackles are interrupted sounds that are heard at the end of

inspiration

Crackles are interrupted sounds that are heard at the end of

inspiration. Fine crackles are caused by atelectasis, pneumonia, and chronic pulmonary disease.

sensible fluid loss in dehydrated patient happened through

kidneys 1,200 to 1,500 mL gastrointestinal 100 ml to 200 ml

Rhonchi are

lower-pitched coarse sounds caused by thick, tenacious mucous; tumors; or obstruction by a foreign body.

The nurse should identify that manifestations of a flail chest can include

paradoxical chest movement, dyspnea, and cyanosis.

The nurse should insert the tip of the tubing 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) along the rectal wall to

prevent dislodging of the tube during the procedure and injury to the rectal mucosa.

Fine crackles are caused by

atelectasis, pneumonia, and chronic pulmonary disease.

Bronchial: Found where?

auscultated over anterior chest and heard over tracheal area

During auscultation of breath sounds, the nurse should use the stethoscope correctly, in which of the following ways? a. Listening to at least one full respiration in each location b. Listening as the patient inhales and then going to the next site during exhalation c. Instructing the patient to breathe in and out rapidly while listening to the breath sounds d. If the patient is modest, listening to sounds over his or her clothing or hospital gown

ANS: Listen to at least one full respiration in each location. During auscultation of breath sounds with a stethoscope, it is important to listen to one full respiration in each location. During the examination, the nurse should monitor the breathing and offer times for the person to breathe normally to prevent possible dizziness.

During auscultation of the lungs of an adult patient, the nurse notices the presence of bronchophony. The nurse should assess for signs of which condition? a. Airway obstruction b. Emphysema c. Pulmonary consolidation d. Asthma

ANS: Pulmonary consolidation Pathologic conditions that increase lung density, such as pulmonary consolidation, will enhance transmission of voice sounds, such as bronchophony. See Table 18-7.

During a morning assessment, the nurse notices that the patient's sputum is frothy and pink. Which condition could this finding indicate? a. Croup b. Tuberculosis c. Viral infection d. Pulmonary edema

ANS: Pulmonary edema Sputum alone is not diagnostic, but some conditions have characteristic sputum production. Pink, frothy sputum indicates pulmonary edema (or it may be a side effect of sympathomimetic medications). Croup is associated with a "barking" cough, not sputum production. Tuberculosis may produce rust-colored sputum. Viral infections may produce white or clear mucoid sputum.

A 70-year-old patient is being seen in the clinic for severe exacerbation of his heart failure. Which of these findings is the nurse most likely to observe in this situation? a. Shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and ankle edema b. Rasping cough, thick mucoid sputum, wheezing, and bronchitis c. Productive cough, dyspnea, weight loss, anorexia, and tuberculosis d. Fever, dry nonproductive cough, and diminished breath sounds

ANS: Shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, ankle edema Heart failure often presents with increased respiratory rate, shortness of breath on exertion, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, nocturia, ankle edema, and pallor in light-skinned individuals. A patient with rasping cough, thick mucoid sputum, and wheezing may have bronchitis. Productive cough, dyspnea, weight loss, and dyspnea are seen with tuberculosis; fever, dry nonproductive cough, and diminished breath sounds may indicate Pneumocystis jiroveci (P. carinii) pneumonia. See Table 18-8.

The nurse is assessing the lungs of an older adult. Which of these describes normal changes in the respiratory system of the older adult? a. Severe dyspnea is experienced on exertion, resulting from changes in the lungs. b. Respiratory muscle strength increases to compensate for a decreased vital capacity. c. Decrease in small airway closure occurs, leading to problems with atelectasis. d. Lungs are less elastic and distensible, which decreases their ability to collapse and recoil.

ANS: The lungs are less elastic and distensible, which decreases their ability to collapse and recoil. In the aging adult the lungs are less elastic and distensible, which decreases their ability to collapse and recoil. There is a decreased vital capacity and a loss of intraalveolar septa, causing less surface area for gas exchange. The lung bases become less ventilated, and the older person is at risk for dyspnea with exertion beyond his or her usual workload.

When assessing the respiratory system of a 4-year-old child, which of these findings would the nurse expect? a. Crepitus palpated at the costochondral junctions b. No diaphragmatic excursion as a result of a child's decreased inspiratory volume c. Presence of bronchovesicular breath sounds in the peripheral lung fields d. Irregular respiratory pattern and a respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute at rest

ANS: The presence of bronchovesicular breath sounds in the peripheral lung fields Bronchovesicular breath sounds in the peripheral lung fields of the infant and young child up to age 5 or 6 years are a normal finding. Their thin chest walls with underdeveloped musculature do not dampen the sound, as do the thicker chest walls of adults, so breath sounds are louder and harsher.

When inspecting the anterior chest of an adult, the nurse should include which assessment? a. Diaphragmatic excursion b. Symmetric chest expansion c. Presence of breath sounds d. Shape and configuration of the chest wall

ANS: The shape and configuration of the chest wall Inspection of the anterior chest includes shape and configuration of the chest wall; assessment of the patient's level of consciousness, skin color and condition; quality of respirations; presence or absence of retraction and bulging of the intercostal spaces; and use of accessory muscles. Symmetric chest expansion is assessed by palpation. Diaphragmatic excursion is assessed by percussion of the posterior chest. Breath sounds are assessed by auscultation.

The nurse is auscultating the chest in an adult. Which technique is correct? a. Instructing the patient to take deep, rapid breaths b. Instructing the patient to breathe in and out through his or her nose c. Firmly holding the diaphragm of the stethoscope against the chest d. Lightly holding the bell of the stethoscope against the chest to avoid friction

ANS: Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope held firmly against the chest. The diaphragm of the stethoscope held firmly on the chest is the correct way to auscultate breath sounds. The patient should be instructed to breathe through his or her mouth, a little deeper than usual, but not to hyperventilate.

The nurse is listening to the breath sounds of a patient with severe asthma. Air passing through narrowed bronchioles would produce which of these adventitious sounds? a. Wheezes b. Bronchial sounds c. Bronchophony d. Whispered pectoriloquy

ANS: Wheezes Wheezes are caused by air squeezed or compressed through passageways narrowed almost to closure by collapsing, swelling, secretions, or tumors, such as with acute asthma or chronic emphysema.

During an assessment of an adult, the nurse has noted unequal chest expansion and recognizes that this occurs in which situation? a. In an obese patient b. When part of the lung is obstructed or collapsed c. When bulging of the intercostal spaces is present d. When accessory muscles are used to augment respiratory effort

ANS: When part of the lung is obstructed or collapsed Unequal chest expansion occurs when part of the lung is obstructed or collapsed, as with pneumonia, or when guarding to avoid postoperative incisional pain or atelectasis.

During percussion, the nurse knows that a dull percussion note elicited over a lung lobe most likely results from: a. Shallow breathing. b. Normal lung tissue. c. Decreased adipose tissue. d. Increased density of lung tissue.

ANS: increased density of lung tissue. A dull percussion note indicates an abnormal density in the lungs, as with pneumonia, pleural effusion, atelectasis, or tumor. Resonance is the expected finding in normal lung tissue.

The nurse is reviewing the technique of palpating for tactile fremitus with a new graduate. Which statement by the graduate nurse reflects a correct understanding of tactile fremitus? "Tactile remits: a. "Is caused by moisture in the alveoli." b. "Indicates that air is present in the subcutaneous tissues." c. "Is caused by sounds generated from the larynx." d. "Reflects the blood flow through the pulmonary arteries."

ANS: is caused by sounds generated from the larynx." Fremitus is a palpable vibration. Sounds generated from the larynx are transmitted through patent bronchi and the lung parenchyma to the chest wall where they are felt as vibrations. Crepitus is the term for air in the subcutaneous tissues.

A mother brings her 3-month-old infant to the clinic for evaluation of a cold. She tells the nurse that he had "a runny nose for a week." When performing the physical assessment, the nurse notes that the child has nasal flaring and sternal and intercostal retractions. The nurse's next action should be to: a. Assure the mother that these signs are normal symptoms of a cold. b. Recognize that these are serious signs, and contact the physician. c. Ask the mother if the infant has had trouble with feedings. d. Perform a complete cardiac assessment because these signs are probably indicative of early heart failure.

ANS: recognize that these are serious signs and contact the physician. The infant is an obligatory nose breather until the age of 3 months. Normally there is no flaring of the nostrils and no sternal or intercostal retraction. Marked retractions of the sternum and intercostal muscles and nasal flaring indicate increased inspiratory effort, as in pneumonia, acute airway obstruction, asthma, and atelectasis; therefore, immediate referral to the physician is warranted. These signs do not indicate heart failure, and assessment of the infant's feeding is not a priority at this time.

The nurse is observing the auscultation technique of another nurse. The correct method to use when progressing from one auscultatory site on the thorax to another is ____ comparison. a. Side-to-side b. Top-to-bottom c. Posterior-to-anterior d. Interspace-by-interspace

ANS: side-to-side Side-to-side comparison is most important when auscultating the chest. The nurse should listen to at least one full respiration in each location. The other techniques are incorrect.

A 35-year-old recent immigrant is being seen in the clinic for complaints of a cough that is associated with rust-colored sputum, low-grade afternoon fevers, and night sweats for the past 2 months. The nurse's preliminary analysis, based on this history, is that this patient may be suffering from: a. Bronchitis. b. Pneumonia. c. Tuberculosis. d. Pulmonary edema.

ANS: tuberculosis. Sputum is not diagnostic alone, but some conditions have characteristic sputum production. Tuberculosis often produces rust-colored sputum in addition to other symptoms of night sweats and low-grade afternoon fevers. See Table 18-8.

When auscultating the lungs of an adult patient, the nurse notes that over the posterior lower lobes low-pitched, soft breath sounds are heard, with inspiration being longer than expiration. The nurse interprets that these are: a. Normally auscultated over the trachea. b. Bronchial breath sounds and normal in that location. c. Vesicular breath sounds and normal in that location. d. Bronchovesicular breath sounds and normal in that location.

ANS: vesicular breath sounds and are normal in that location. Vesicular breath sounds are low-pitched, soft sounds with inspiration being longer than expiration. These breath sounds are expected over peripheral lung fields where air flows through smaller bronchioles and alveoli.

A nurse is assisting a client who has dysphagia at mealtime. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Advise the client to tuck his chin downward To help the client swallow safely, sit upright, lean slightly forward, tilt his head forward, and tuck his chin. This position helps move the food downward without lodging in the throat, avoiding potential aspiration. sitting upright when eating. lean slightly forward when eating. tilt his head slightly forward when eating

High Pitched, Polyphonic Wheeze

Also known as: Sibilant Wheeze Auscultated mainly in expiration but may be present during inspiration Sounds like a high-pitched musical instrument with MORE than one type of sound quality May be heard in patients with asthma

Low-pitched, Monophonic Wheeze

Also known as: Sonorous Wheeze or Rhonchi Auscultated mainly in expiration but may be present at anytime Sounds like a low-pitched whistling tune or whine with ONE type of sound quality May be heard in patients with COPD or pneumonia etc.

Stridor

Auscultated during inspiration high-pitched whistling or gasping sound with harsh sound quality May be seen in children with conditions such as croup or epiglottitis or anyone with an airway obstruction etc.

Fine Crackles:

Auscultated during inspiration (DON'T CLEAR with COUGHING) High-pitched, crackling sound that is similar to a fire crackling May be heard in patients with edema in the lungs or ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome).

Pleural Friction Rub:

Auscultated during inspiration and expiration Low-pitched/harsh grating sound Patients may have pain when breathing in and out due to inflammation of pleural layers May be heard in patients with pleuritis

Audio of Normal Lung Sounds

Bronchial: Bronchovesicular: Vesicular:

Abnormal Lung Sounds Audio

Coarse Crackles: Fine Crackles: Pleural Friction Rub: High Pitched, Polyphonic Wheeze Low-pitched, Monophonic Wheeze Stridor

Intercostal retractions and a high-pitched inspiratory noise (stridor) are manifestations of an

airway obstruction caused by laryngospasm and edema. The nurse should notify the rapid response team and plan to administer racemic epinephrine.

Vital lung capacity measures the

amount of air the client can exhale after maximum inhalation.

Crackles are also known as:

rales Auscultated during inspiration and can extend into expiration as well Low-pitched, wet bubbling sound May be heard in patient with fluid overload, pneumonia etc.

An insensible fluid loss in dehydrated patient happened through

skin 500ml to 600 ml lung 400 ml

Characteristics of Vesicular:

sound will be soft with a low pitch inspiration will be slightly GREATER than expiration

Characteristics of Bronchial:

sound will have a high pitch and be loud inspiration will be slightly SHORTER than expiration

Characteristics: of Bronchovesicular:

sound will have a medium pitch inspiration and expiration will be EQUAL

The nurse should identify that manifestations of pulmonary edema can include

tachycardia, crackles heard in the lungs, and frothy, pink sputum.

Residual volume measures

the amount of air in the lungs after forced expiration.

Functional residual capacity measures

the amount of air in the lungs after normal expiration

Pulmonary function tests are used to examine the effectiveness of

the lungs and to identify lung problems. Total lung capacity measures the amount of air the lungs can hold after maximum inhalation.

The nurse should identify that manifestations ofa tension pneumothorax can include

tracheal deviation, distended neck veins, and the absence of breath sounds on a side