Health Assessment In Nursing - Breath Sounds

1. Match the terms to the correct description

Orthopnea

An increase in carbon dioxide in the blood

Low-pitched, bubbling, moist sounds

Difficulty breathing when lying supine

Orthopnea refers to the difficulty in breathing when lying flat or supine. It is a condition commonly seen in individuals with heart failure or lung diseases. When a person with orthopnea lies down, the excess fluid in the lungs can accumulate and make breathing more difficult. This symptom often improves when the person sits up or sleeps with their upper body elevated.

Explanation

Orthopnea refers to the difficulty in breathing when lying flat or supine. It is a condition commonly seen in individuals with heart failure or lung diseases. When a person with orthopnea lies down, the excess fluid in the lungs can accumulate and make breathing more difficult. This symptom often improves when the person sits up or sleeps with their upper body elevated.

2. Match the terms to the correct description

Crepitus

A "cracking" sensation

Low-pitched snoring or moaning sounds

Markedly sunken sternum and adjacent cartilage

Crepitus refers to a "cracking" sensation. It is a term used to describe a sound or feeling that occurs when there is friction between bones or cartilage. This can happen due to various reasons such as joint degeneration, injury, or inflammation. Crepitus is often associated with conditions like arthritis or joint dysfunction. The sensation can be accompanied by pain or discomfort, and it is important to seek medical attention if it persists or worsens.

Explanation

Crepitus refers to a "cracking" sensation. It is a term used to describe a sound or feeling that occurs when there is friction between bones or cartilage. This can happen due to various reasons such as joint degeneration, injury, or inflammation. Crepitus is often associated with conditions like arthritis or joint dysfunction. The sensation can be accompanied by pain or discomfort, and it is important to seek medical attention if it persists or worsens.

3. The nurse is preparing to auscultate the posterior thorax of an adult female client. The nurse should

Place the bell of the stethescope firmly on the posterior chest wall

Ascultate from the base of the lungs to the apices

Ask the client to breathe deeply through her mouth

Ask the client to breathe normally through her nose

When auscultating the posterior thorax, it is important for the nurse to ask the client to breathe deeply through her mouth. This is because deep breathing allows for better lung expansion and airflow, which can help the nurse to hear any abnormal breath sounds more clearly. By asking the client to breathe deeply through her mouth, the nurse can ensure that the auscultation is done effectively and accurately.

Explanation

When auscultating the posterior thorax, it is important for the nurse to ask the client to breathe deeply through her mouth. This is because deep breathing allows for better lung expansion and airflow, which can help the nurse to hear any abnormal breath sounds more clearly. By asking the client to breathe deeply through her mouth, the nurse can ensure that the auscultation is done effectively and accurately.

4. The nurse assesses an adults client's breath sounds and hears sonorous wheezes, primarily during the client's expirtaion. the nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

Asthma

Chronic emphysema

Pleuritis

Bronchitis

The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible bronchitis because sonorous wheezes are a common symptom of bronchitis. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which can cause narrowing of the airways and produce wheezing sounds. Wheezing is typically heard during expiration due to the narrowing of the airways. Asthma and chronic emphysema can also cause wheezing, but the presence of sonorous wheezes suggests bronchitis as the most likely cause. Pleuritis, on the other hand, is inflammation of the pleura and does not typically cause wheezing.

Explanation

The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible bronchitis because sonorous wheezes are a common symptom of bronchitis. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which can cause narrowing of the airways and produce wheezing sounds. Wheezing is typically heard during expiration due to the narrowing of the airways. Asthma and chronic emphysema can also cause wheezing, but the presence of sonorous wheezes suggests bronchitis as the most likely cause. Pleuritis, on the other hand, is inflammation of the pleura and does not typically cause wheezing.

5. Match the terms to the correct description, check all that apply

Bronchovesicular breath sounds

Medium pitch

Exhalation equals inhalation

Loud and long exhalation

Heard over trachea area

Heard over main bronchus area & upper right posterior lung fields

High pitch

Bronchovesicular breath sounds are characterized by a medium pitch, with the sound of exhalation equaling that of inhalation. These sounds are typically heard over the main bronchus area and the upper right posterior lung fields.

Explanation

Bronchovesicular breath sounds are characterized by a medium pitch, with the sound of exhalation equaling that of inhalation. These sounds are typically heard over the main bronchus area and the upper right posterior lung fields.

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6. Match the terms to the correct description, check all that apply

Bronchial breath sounds

Low pitch

Medium pitch

High pitch

Loud & long exhalation

Short exhalation & long inhalation

Heard over trachea

Heard over most lung fields

Bronchial breath sounds are characterized by a high pitch, loud and long exhalation, and are typically heard over the trachea. They are not typically heard over most lung fields.

Explanation

Bronchial breath sounds are characterized by a high pitch, loud and long exhalation, and are typically heard over the trachea. They are not typically heard over most lung fields.

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7. Match the terms to the correct description, check all that apply

Vesicular breath sounds

Low pitch

High pitch

Ausculated over most lung fields

Auscultated over main bronchus area

Ascultated over upper right posterior lung fields

Short on exhilation, long inhalation

Exhalation equals inhalation

Vesicular breath sounds are low-pitched sounds that can be auscultated over most lung fields. They are characterized by a shorter duration on exhalation compared to inhalation, with inhalation being longer.

Explanation

Vesicular breath sounds are low-pitched sounds that can be auscultated over most lung fields. They are characterized by a shorter duration on exhalation compared to inhalation, with inhalation being longer.

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