Respiratory System HA Flashcards by zharnie beekyu

Function of the Respiratory System

What do you call the movement of air in and out of the lungs?

ventilation

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Function of the Respiratory System

How does the respiratory system help in maintaining acid-base balance?

By regulating carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, which are directly related to blood pH.

More CO2 = acidic; Less CO2 = basic

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Function of the Respiratory System

How does the respiratory system humidify and stabilize the temperature of air during inhalation?

Primarily through the nose and upper airways, where blood flowing to the cells transfers body heat to the air.
The moist surface of the nasal passages and mucous membranes humidify the gas.

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Function of the Respiratory System

List down ways in which the respiratory system protects the body from harmful substances:

coughing
sneezing
filtering
swallowing

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Anatomy

Enumerate the parts of the sternum.

manubrium
sternal angle/ angle of Louis
body
xiphoid process

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Anatomy

How many ribs make up the rib cage? Identify the number of true, false, and floating ribs.

12 ribs make up the rib cage.
- True Ribs = 7 (T1-T7)
- False Ribs = 3 (T8-T10)
- Floating Ribs = 2 (T11-T12)

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Anatomy

The sternal angle (angle of Louis) is aligned with which rib?

T2 (2nd rib)

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Anatomy

What do you call the type of cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum?

costal cartilage

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Thoracic Landmarks

Visualize and name the anterior thoracic landmarks.

right midclavicular line
midsternal line
left midclavicular line

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Thoracic Landmarks

Visualize and name the posterior thoracic landmarks.

right scapular line
midspinal line
left scapular line

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Thoracic Landmarks

Visualize and name the lateral thoracic landmarks.

anterior axillary line
midaxillary line
posterior axillary line

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Anatomy

With respect to the rib cage, how do the lungs extend anteriorly and posteriorly?

anteriorly: extends to the 6th rib
posteriorly: extends to the 10th rib

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Anatomy

Anteriorly, which of the 5 lung lobes can be better and properly assessed due to its position?

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Anatomy

Posteriorly, which of the 5 lung lobes can be better and properly assessed due to its position?

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Anatomy

True or false: All lobes of the lungs, either left or right, can be assessed properly from the lateral view.

True

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Functions of the Respiratory System

Enumerate the functions of the respiratory system.

supplies oxygen to the body
removes CO2
maintains homeostasis (acid/base)
maintains heat exchange

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Define

Differentiate pneumothorax, hydrothorax, and hemothorax.

Pneumothorax is air, hydrothorax is fluid (usually water), and hemothorax is blood in the pleural sac

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When checking for the medical history or past health of the patient, what factors should be considered?

past history of respiratory disorders such
past surgeries involving the thorax, biopsies, or trauma
medication history that may affect respiratory effort
recent travels

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Assessment Proper

In what position should the patient be placed in for the assessment?

Sitting position or High Fowler’s Position

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How does High Fowler’s position help in breathing?

In the High Fowler’s position, gravity helps the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen) descend, increasing the volume of the chest cavity.

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Anatomy

Name the accessory muscles in breathing.

sternocleidomastoid
scalenes group
pectoralis minor

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Assessment Proper

What should be noted during palpation?

tenderness (pain)
sensation
surface masses
fremitus
crepitus
surface characteristics

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Assessment Proper

How to assess chest expansion?

Place your hands on the anterior or posterior chest at the same level, with thumbs over the sternum anteriorly or the spine posteriorly.

As the patient inhales, your thumbs should move apart symmetrically.

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Assessment Proper

When percussing the thoracic cavity, what should be heard to signify normal findings?

A resonant sound.

It sounds like tapping a well-inflated balloon.

Bone = flat sound; Sort of blockage = dull sound

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# Assessment Proper What is the normal measurement for diaphragmatic excursion?

**3-5 cm**

# Assessment Proper What are adventitious breath sounds?

**Adventitious breath sounds are abnormal sounds resulting from unusual airflow through the lungs.** Examples: stridor, rhonchi, wheezing, crackles, pleural rub

# Assessment Proper What are the important factors when inspecting the posterior thorax?

- General onfiguration - Use of accessory muscles - Client’s positioning

# Assessment Proper What are the important factors when inspecting the anterior thorax?

- Inspect slope of ribs - Inspect intercostal space - Use of accessory muscles

# Assessment Proper What is the normal ratio for AP:T (anterioposterior to transverse) diameter?

**1:2**

A patient with an AP:T of 1:1 has what type of condition?

**Barrel chest**

# Define Differentiate pectus carinatum and excavatum.

**- P. carinatum: protrusion of the chest (pigeon chest)** **- P. excavatum: sunken chest**

# Identify the breathing pattern according to the situation. A 25-year-old athlete is resting after a long run. His breathing rate is normal, with regular rhythm and depth. What breathing pattern does he exhibit?

**Eupnea**

# Identify the breathing pattern according to the situation. A 40-year-old man arrives at the ER with a high fever and an increased respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute. What breathing pattern is he experiencing?

**Tachypnea**

# Identify the breathing pattern according to the given situation. A 70-year-old patient with a history of opioid overdose presents with a respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute. Which breathing pattern is this?

**Bradypnea**

# Identify the breathing pattern according to the given situation. During a resuscitation attempt, a patient is found to have no observable chest movement and no air exchange. What is this condition called?

**Apnea**

# Identify the breathing pattern according to the given situation. A 55-year-old male with diabetic ketoacidosis is breathing deeply and rapidly. What is the most likely breathing pattern?

**Kussmaul's**

# Identify the breathing pattern according the given situation. An elderly patient in the ICU has a breathing pattern characterized by alternating deep and shallow breaths, with intermittent periods of apnea. What is this pattern called?

**Cheyne-Stokes**

# Identify the breathing pattern according to the given situation. A 35-year-old male with severe brain injury presents with irregular breathing consisting of rapid breaths followed by periods of apnea. What is this breathing pattern called?

**Biot's**

# Identify the breathing pattern according to the situation given. A patient with a brainstem injury exhibits prolonged inspiration followed by an extended expiratory phase. What breathing pattern does this suggest?

**Apneustic**

# Identify the breathing pattern according to the given situation. A 60-year-old man recovering from pneumonia shows an increase in both the depth and rate of breathing. What is this breathing pattern called?

**Hyperpnea**

# Define What is orthopnea?

**The shortness of breath when lying down that's relieved by standing or sitting up.**

# Define Differentiate crepitus and fremitus.

**Crepitus: crackling senstion when air flows through fluid/exudate** **Fremitus: vibrations of air in the bronchial tubes transmitted to the chest wall**

# Assessment Proper When palpating for fremitus, which section of the arm/hand is best for sensing vibrations?

**Ulnar ball of the palm.**

# Assessment Proper. What findings are considered normal for fremitus?

- Fremitus is symmetrical; with decreasing intensity in the lower portions

# Assessment Proper What do you call the method for auscultating the different regions of the thoracic cavity?

**Ladder method**

# Assessment Proper Identify the range of auscultation for the thoracic cavity.

**From C7 to T10**

# Assessment Proper Identify the test used for voice sounds and their normal findings.

a. Bronchophony: muffled & indistinct voice b. Egophony: distinguishable "E" sound c. Whispered pectoriloquy: faint & muffled sound

# Assessment Proper What are the normal breath sounds that should identified during assessment?

- bronchial - broncho-vesicular - vesicular

# Identify the breath sound. Nurse Alex is assessing Mr. Rivera, a 60-year-old man recovering from pneumonia. While auscultating over the trachea, Alex hears a high-pitched, harsh, and loud breath sound. The inspiratory phase is shorter than the expiratory phase. What type of breath sound is this?

**Bronchial**

# Identify the breath sound. During a routine check-up, Nurse Jamie listens to the lung sounds of Sarah, a 25-year-old athlete. She hears a soft, breezy sound with a long inspiratory phase and a short expiratory phase over the peripheral lung fields. What type of breath sound is this?

**Vesicular**

# Identify the breath sound. Nurse Kevin is examining Mr. Lee, a 50-year-old with a persistent cough. While auscultating between the scapulae and near the upper sternum, Kevin hears a moderate, mixed (harsh and breezy) breath sound that is moderately loud, with equal inspiration and expiration phases. What type of breath sound is this?

**Broncho-vesicular**

# Assessment Proper If the nurse wants to listen for vesicular sounds, where should they position their stethoscope?

**Around the peripheral lung fields**

# Assessment Proper The nurse wants to listen for bronchial sounds, they place the stethoscope on...

**the trachea or the thorax**

# Assessment Proper The nurse was able to hear broncho-vesicular sounds, this means they were able to place the stethoscope over the...

**Major bronchi; between the scapulae; or by the upper sternum on the 1st or 2nd ICS**

# Adventitious Breath Sounds A 50-year-old patient with pleuritis complains of sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breaths. Upon auscultation, you hear a low-pitched, grating sound during both inhalation and exhalation. What adventitious lung sound is present?

**Pleural Rub**

# Adventitious Breath Sounds An 8-year-old child is brought to the ER with sudden difficulty breathing and a barking cough. Upon auscultation, you hear a loud, high-pitched crowing sound during inspiration without a stethoscope. What is the most likely cause?

**Stridor**

# Adventitious Breath Sounds A 60-year-old patient with chronic bronchitis presents with a persistent, productive cough. Upon auscultation, you hear low-pitched, snoring-like sounds during both inspiration and expiration, which clear when the patient coughs. What is the most appropriate term for this finding?

**Rhonchi**

# Adventitious Breath Sounds A 35-year-old male with asthma is experiencing shortness of breath and chest tightness. During auscultation, you hear high-pitched, musical, continuous sounds during expiration. What is the most likely lung sound?

**Wheezing**

# Adventitious Breath Sounds A 72-year-old patient with pneumonia presents with a productive cough, fever, and dyspnea. Upon auscultation, you hear loud, bubbling, moist, low-pitched crackles that do not clear with coughing at the bases of both lungs. What is the most likely lung sound?

**Coarse Crackles**

# Adventitious Breath Sounds Mr. Rivera, a 68-year-old patient with congestive heart failure (CHF), reports difficulty breathing and mild fatigue. On auscultation, you hear high-pitched, short crackling sounds at the end of inspiration that do not clear with coughing. What adventitious lung sound is present?

**Fine Crackles (Rales)**

# Nursing Diagnosis Mr. Dela Cruz, a 75-year-old chronic smoker, reports difficulty breathing and persistent coughing with thick sputum. Auscultation reveals wheezing and crackles, and his oxygen saturation is 89% on room air. What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis? A) Ineffective Airway Clearance B) Activity Intolerance C) Anxiety D) Deficient Knowledge

**A) Ineffective Airway Clearance** ## Footnote The presence of wheezing, crackles, and thick sputum suggests airway obstruction.

# Nursing Diagnosis Ms. Reyes, a 58-year-old patient with pneumonia, has a temperature of 38.5°C, productive cough, and difficulty breathing. ABG results indicate low PaO₂ and high PaCO₂. What is the best nursing diagnosis? A) Ineffective Breathing Pattern B) Impaired Gas Exchange C) Risk for Aspiration D) Deficient Fluid Volume

**Impaired Gas Exchange** ## Footnote ABG results indicate inadequate oxygenation, a hallmark of this diagnosis.

# Nursing Diagnosis A patient recovering from thoracic surgery reports shallow breathing and avoids deep breaths due to pain. What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis? A) Ineffective Airway Clearance B) Impaired Spontaneous Ventilation C) Ineffective Breathing Pattern D) Risk for Infection

**C) Ineffective Breathing Pattern** ## Footnote The patient’s reluctance to take deep breaths due to pain affects normal ventilation.

# Nursing Diagnosis Mr. Lorenzo, a 48-year-old with a history of severe asthma, is experiencing an acute episode with labored breathing, nasal flaring, and accessory muscle use. Which is the most suitable nursing diagnosis? A) Activity Intolerance B) Ineffective Breathing Pattern C) Risk for Infection D) Acute Pain

**B) Ineffective Breathing Pattern** ## Footnote Labored breathing and accessory muscle use suggest a disruption in normal ventilation.

# Nursing Diagnosis A 65-year-old patient with pulmonary edema presents with extreme fatigue, cyanosis, and difficulty breathing even at rest. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate? A) Risk for Aspiration B) Activity Intolerance C) Ineffective Tissue Perfusion D) Impaired Gas Exchange

**D) Impaired Gas Exchange** ## Footnote Cyanosis and difficulty breathing suggest poor oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange.

# Nursing Interventions A patient with asthma is experiencing an acute attack. What should the nurse do first? A) Assist the patient in pursed-lip breathing B) Administer a bronchodilator as prescribed C) Encourage bed rest D) Apply an abdominal binder

**B) Administer a bronchodilator as prescribed** ## Footnote This provides rapid relief during an asthma attack.

# Nursing Interventions A patient with severe dyspnea due to COPD is in distress. What is the best immediate intervention? A) Elevate the head of the bed B) Restrict fluid intake C) Instruct the patient to lie flat D) Withhold oxygen therapy

**A) Elevate the head of the bed** ## Footnote This improves lung expansion and makes breathing easier.

# Nursing Interventions A post-operative patient is at risk for atelectasis due to shallow breathing. What is the most effective intervention? A) Encourage incentive spirometry use B) Place the patient in a supine position C) Encourage bed rest D) Administer sedatives to reduce anxiety

**A) Encourage incentive spirometry use** ## Footnote This promotes lung expansion and prevents atelectasis.

# Nursing Interventions A patient diagnosed with pneumonia has thick, tenacious sputum. What is the best nursing intervention to promote airway clearance? A) Encourage increased fluid intake B) Apply cold compresses C) Restrict movement to prevent fatigue D) Encourage breath-holding exercises

**A) Encourage increased fluid intake** ## Footnote Fluids help thin secretions, making them easier to expectorate.

# Nursing Interventions A patient with bronchitis is experiencing excessive secretions, leading to difficulty clearing the airway. What is the best nursing intervention? A) Encourage deep breathing and coughing B) Limit fluid intake C) Place the patient in a supine position D) Administer opioid analgesics

**A) Encourage deep breathing and coughing** ## Footnote This helps mobilize and clear secretions from the airway.

# Diagnostic Tests A patient with suspected tuberculosis is admitted with a persistent cough and night sweats. What is the most appropriate initial diagnostic test? A) Pulmonary function test B) Sputum examination C) Pulmonary angiogram D) ABG analysis

**B) Sputum examination** ## Footnote This is essential for identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

# Diagnostic Tests A patient with chronic shortness of breath and suspected COPD needs an evaluation of lung function. Which diagnostic test is most appropriate? A) Chest X-ray B) Pulmonary function test (PFT) C) CT scan D) Bronchoscopy

**B) Pulmonary function test (PFT)** ## Footnote This assesses lung capacity and airflow.

# Diagnostic Tests A patient arrives at the ER with sudden-onset chest pain and suspected pulmonary embolism. What is the best diagnostic test? A) Sputum examination B) Pulmonary angiogram C) Chest X-ray D) ABG analysis

**B) Pulmonary angiogram** ## Footnote This is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.

# Diagnostic Tests A patient with a history of lung cancer is scheduled for a test to detect possible metastasis. What is the best imaging modality? A) Pulmonary function test B) CT or PET scan C) ABG analysis D) Sputum culture

**B) CT or PET scan** ## Footnote These provide detailed imaging for cancer staging.

# Diagnostic Tests A patient with a suspected lung infection is undergoing a diagnostic procedure to visualize the airways and collect a biopsy sample. Which test is most appropriate? A) Bronchoscopy B) Pulmonary function test C) ABG analysis D) Chest X-ray

**A) Bronchoscopy** ## Footnote This allows direct visualization of the airways and tissue sampling.

Respiratory System HA Flashcards

(76 cards)