Exam 5: Assessing the Respiratory System

Which physical assessment technique would be used to identify sternal retraction?

On auscultation of the patient's lung fields, crackles that do not clear with coughing are heard bilaterally at the bases. Which conclusion by the nurse is the most appropriate based on these assessment findings?

The nurse notes scattered rhonchi when auscultating the patient's chest. How do rhonchi differ from crackles?

Which is the best position to place the patient in to assess the lungs?

Because the patient has pneumonia, the nurse assesses for abnormal voice sounds. The patient has clearer transmission of spoken voice sounds. This is an example of which type of voice sound?

Which definition best describes Kussmaul breathing, seen in diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?

The nurse asks the patient to repeat saying the number "99" several times as the rib cage is lightly palpated. Which is the nurse assessing for using this technique?

An adult patient is admitted to the hospital with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the health history the patient admits dyspnea on exertion (DOE), cough, weight gain, and swollen ankles. Which of these findings is most frequently associated with respiratory disorders?

While palpating the patient's chest, the nurse assesses the respiratory excursion. What is this technique used to assess?

Percussion over healthy lung tissue normally elicits which sound?

The patient develops a pleural effusion, so a chest tube is inserted. The nurse detects crepitus at the insertion site. Which conclusion by the nurse is most appropriate?

Upon inspection, the nurse notes that the patient has a barrel chest. What is the normal anteroposterior (AP)-to-lateral chest ratio?

Which type of breath sound would the nurse expect to auscultate over most of the lung fields in a healthy patient?

The nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with consolidation pneumonia. Which type of breath sounds would the nurse expect to auscultate over the affected area?

Which physical assessment technique would be used to identify rales?

The nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with emphysema. Which does the nurse anticipate when percussing over the patient's lungs?

The nurse observes that the patient is using intercostal muscles for breathing. Adult males normally use which muscles for breathing?

Which respiratory disorders may be genetically linked?