Chapter 09 - Patient Assessment

Question 1

Stridor

Answer 1

This is often heard before even listening with a stethoscope and may indicate that the patient has an airway obstruction in the neck or upper part of the chest. Expect to hear a brassy, crowing sound that is most prominent on inspiration.

Question 2

Wheezing

Answer 2

A high-pitched, whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration, and which suggests an obstruction or narrowing of the lower airways; occurs in asthma, bronchiolitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 3

Crackles

Answer 3

Clicking, rattling, or crackling noises signaling fluid in the air spaces that may be made by one or both lungs of a human with a respiratory disease during inhalation. They are often heard only with a stethoscope.

Formerly called rales.

Question 4

Rhonchi

Answer 4

Congested breath sounds may suggest the presence of mucus in the lungs. Expect to hear low-pitched, noisy sounds that are most prominent on expiration. The patient often reports a productive cough associated with these sounds.

Question 5

Characteristics of Respirations

Normal Respirations

Answer 5

1. Breathing is neither shallow nor deep
2. Equal chest rise and fall
3. No use of accessory muscles

Question 6

Characteristics of Respirations

Shallow Breathing

Answer 6

1. Decreased chest or abdominal wall motion

Question 7

Characteristics of Respirations

Labored Breathing

Answer 7

1. Increased breathing effort
2. Use of accessory muscles
3. Possible gasping
4. Nasal flaring, supraclavicular and intercostal retractions in infants and children

Question 8

Characteristics of Respirations

Noisy Breathing

Answer 8

1. Increase in sound of breathing, including snoring, wheezing, gurgling, crowing, grunting, and stridor

Question 9

Normal Ranges for Respirations

Adults

Answer 9

12 to 20 breaths per minute

Question 10

Normal Ranges for Respirations

Adolescents (13 to 18 years)

Answer 10

12 to 16 breaths per minute

Question 11

Normal Ranges for Respirations

School-Aged Children (6 to 12 years)

Answer 11

18 - 30 breaths per minute

Question 12

Normal Ranges for Respirations

Preschoolers (4 to 5 years)

Answer 12

22 to 34 breaths per minute

Question 13

Normal Ranges for Respirations

Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

Answer 13

24 - 40 breaths per minute

Question 14

Normal Ranges for Respirations

Infants

Answer 14

30 - 60 breaths per minute