Assessing Thorax and lungs

Cards (31)

  • Thorax
    • Identifies the portion of the body extending from the base of the neck superiorly to the level of the diaphragm inferiorly.
  • Lungs
    • Distal portion of the trachea.
  • Thoracic cage
    • Outer structure of the thorax.
  • Thoracic cavity
    • Contains the respiratory components.
  • Inspect configuration
    • Observe the position of scapulae. Should be symmetric and non-protruding. If it deviates laterally, may indicate scoliosis.
  • Barrel chest
    • Ribs appearing at an angle greater than 45 degrees with the spinal column are frequently the result of an increased ratio between the anteroposterior.
    • Result of emphysema
  • Observe accessory muscles
    • Watch the client breathe. The client does not use the accessory muscle to help breathe.
    • If client leans forward or uses accessory muscles, this is seen in COPD (cardio obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Inspect clients positioning
    • Note posture. Tender or painful areas may be may indicate inflamed tissues.
  • Inflamed pleurae
    • Pain over intercostal spaces.
  • Fractured ribs
    • Pain over ribs, especially at the chondral junctions.
  • Palpate for tenderness
    • No tenderness or pain. The zig-zag palpation.
  • Crepitus
    • Crackling sensation that occurs when air passes through fluid or exudate.
  • Fremitus
    • vibrations of air in the bronchial tubes transmitted to the chest wall.
  • Assess chest expansion (Diaphragmatic excursion)
    • at T9 or T10
  • Atelectasis
    • Collapse or incomplete expansion
  • Pneumothorax
    • Air in the pleural space.
  • Percuss for tone
    • Shoulders then zig-zag motion. Resonance is the percussion tone heard over normal lung tissue.
  • Hyperesonance
    • Emphysema of pneumothorax.
  • Bronchial
    • High, loud, located in the trachea and thorax. Short during inspiration and long during expiration.
  • Bronchovesicular
    • Moderate pitch and amplitude. Same duration during inspiration and expiration. Located at the bronchi and peripheral lung fields.
  • Vesicular
    • Low pitch, and soft amplitude. Duration is long in inspiration and short in expirations. Located in peripheral lung fields.
  • Crackles Fine
    • High pitched short popping sounds, during inspiration and not cleared with coughing.
  • Crackles course
    • Low-pitched, bubbling, moist sounds, that may persist from early inspiration and expiration. Like softly separating velcro.
  • Pleural friction rub
    • Low-pitched dry grating sound.
  • Wheeze Sibilant
    • High pitched, musical sounds heard primarily during expiration.
  • Wheeze sonorous
    • Low pitched snoring or moaning sound heard, primarily during expirations but may be heard throughout the respiratory cycle.
  • Bronchophony
    • Ninety-nine. Voice is muffled and indistinct.
  • Egophony
    • E. Letter E should be distinguishable.
  • Whispered pectoriloquy
    • Ask the client to whisper 1-2-3.
  • Pectus Excavatum
    • Funnel chest. Markedly sunken and adjacent cartilages.
  • Pectus carinatum
    • Pigeon chest. Forward protrusion of the sternum causes the adjacent limbs to slope backward.