Chapter (7)

Assessment of respiratory system

Faculty of Nursing-IUG
 Anatomy of Respiratory System
The lung is a two cone-shaped, elastic structure suspended within the
thoracic cavity.

Lung are paired, they are not complete symmetric, the right lung

contain three lobe, whereas the left lung contain only two lobes.

The apex of each lung extended slightly above the clavicle, where the

base is at the level of diaphragm

The thoracic cavity contains the nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi,

bronchioles, alveoli.

The thoracic cavity is lined by a thin, double- layered serous membrane

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collectively called the pleural membrane
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Assessment of respiratory system
Subjective data: the nurse must ask the client about:-

Coughing (productive, non productive)

Sputum (type & amount)

Allergies, dyspnea or SOB (at rest or on exertion).

Chest pain, history of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, tuberculosis.

Cyanosis, pallor.

Exposure to environmental inhalants (chemicals, fumes).

History of smoking (amount and length of time)

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Technique for Respiratory Exam

Before beginning, if possible:

Quiet environment

Proper positioning (patient sitting for posterior thorax exam, supine for

anterior thorax exam)

Expose skin for auscultation

Patient comfort, warm hands and diaphragm of stethoscope, be

considerate of women (drape sheet to cover chest)

After that the nurse should apply the four techniques;

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Inspection, Palpation, Percussion and Auscultation
Initial Respiratory Survey (Inspection)
Observe the patients breathing pattern
Rate (normal vs. increased/decreased)
Depth (shallow vs. deep)
Effort (any sign of accessory muscle use, inspect neck)
Assess the patients color
Cyanosis
Normal Respiratory Rates
Infant 30-60
Toddler 24-40
Preschooler 22-34
School-age child 18-30
Adolescent 12-16
Adult 16-20
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Inspection and assessment of respiration patterns
Assess the skin and overall symmetry and integrity of the thorax.
Assess thoracic configuration.
Client must be uncovered to the waist, and in sitting position without
support.
Observation of skin may give you knowledge about nutritional status
of the client.
Anterior- posterior diameter of thorax in normal person less than the
transverse diameter = (1:2).
Assess for abnormality of configuration, e.g. pigeon chest, funnel
chest, spinal deformities.
Assess ribs and inter spaces on respiration may give information
about obstruction in air flow e.g. bulging of inter spaces on expiration
may be from obstruction to air out flow tumor, aneurysm, cardiac
enlargement
Assess pattern of respiration
Normally: men and children breathe diaphragmatically and
Women breathe thoracically or costally.

Tachypnea: respiratory rate over than 20/m for adult.

Bradypnea: respiratory rate less than 10/m.

Palpation: palpate areas of chest especially areas of abnormalities.

If clients complains: all chest areas must palpated carefully for

tenderness, bulges, or any movements

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Assess thoracic expansion:
Anterior: put your hands over anterior-lateral chest and thumbs
extended along costal margin pointing to xiphoid process.
Posterior: thumbs placed at level of T 10 with palms placed on
posterior-lateral chest.
By two ways you feel amount of thoracic expansion during quiet
and deep breathing, and symmetry of respiration between left
and right hemi thoraces.
Assessment of fremitus: which is vibration perceptible on
palpation"
In subcutaneous emphysema: you must palpate the tissue,
audible cracking sounds are heard these sounds are termed
Crepitation
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Percussion of chest:
Done to determine relative amounts of air, liquid, or solid material in the
underlying lung, and to determine positions and boundaries of organs.
Percussion done for posterior and anterior and lateral aspects of chest with
all directions, and with about 5cms intervals.
Auscultation:
To obtains information about the function of respiratory system & to
detect any obstruction in the passages.
Instruct the client to breathe through the mouth more deeply and slowly
than in usual respiration and then to hold the breath for a few seconds at
the end of inspiration to increase intrapleural pressure and reopen
collapsed alveoli.
Auscultate all areas of chest for at least one complete respiration: 12
anterior locations and 14 posterior locations
Auscultate symmetrically: Should listen to at least 6 locations anteriorly
and posteriorly
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 Breathe sounds: are analyzed according to pitch, intensity, quality,
and relative duration of inspiratory and expiratory phases.
Bronchial breathe sounds: are normally heard over manubrium of
sternum
If heard over lung tissue indicate pathologic condition, these
sounds high-pitched loud sounds with decrease inspiratory and
lengthened increase expiratory phases.
Absent or decreased breath sounds can occur in:
Foreign body.
Bronchial obstruction.
Shallow breathing.
Emphysema

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 Breath Sounds
Normal breath sounds are distinguished by their location over a
specific area of the lung and are identified as tracheal, vesicular,
bronchovesicular, and bronchial (tubular) breath sounds as the next:
1.Tracheal
Very loud, high pitched sound
Inspiratory = Expiratory sound duration
Heard over trachea in the neck
2. Bronchial
Loud, high pitched sound
Expiratory sounds > Inspiratory sounds
Heard over manubrium of sternum
If heard in any other location suggestive of consolidation
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 3. Bronchovesicular
Intermediate intensity, intermediate pitch
Inspiratory = Expiratory sound duration
Heard best 1st and 2nd ICS anteriorly, and between scapula
posteriorly
If heard in any other location suggestive of consolidation

4.Vesicular
Soft, low pitched sound
Inspiratory > Expiratory sounds
Major normal breath sound, heard over most of lungs

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Adventitious Breath Sounds
An abnormal condition that affects the bronchial tree and alveoli may
produce adventitious (abnrmal= addtional) sounds. Adventitious sounds
are divided into two categories: discrete, noncontinuous sounds
(crackles) and continuous musical sounds (wheezes) as the next:
1. Crackles (Rales)
Discontinuous, intermittent, nonmusical, brief sounds. Heard more
commonly with inspiration
Classified as fine or coarse
Its may associated with Prolonged recumbency
Crackles caused by air moving through secretions and collapsed alveoli
and associated with the following conditions: pulmonary edema, early
CHF, and pnumonia

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 2.Wheeze
Continuous, high pitched, musical sound, longer than crackles
Whistle quality, heard during expiration, however, can be heard on
inspiration
Produced when air flows through narrowed airways
Associated conditions: asthma, chronic bronchitis, and COPD

3. Rhonchi
Similar to wheezes (subtype of wheeze)
Low pitched, snoring quality, continuous, musical sounds
Implies obstruction of larger airways by secretions
Associated condition: acute bronchitis

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4. Stridor
Inspiratory musical wheeze
Loudest over trachea
Suggests obstructed trachea or larynx
Medical emergency requiring immediate attention
Associated condition
inhaled foreign body
5. Pleural Friction Rub
Pleural friction rubs are specific examples of crackles. Discontinuous or
continuous brushing sounds
It is a loud dry, cracking or grating sound indicating of pleural irritation,
heard over lateral and anterior lung in sitting position that heard during
both inspiratory and expiratory phases
Occurs when pleural surfaces are inflamed and rub against each other
Associated conditions as pleural effusion, Pneumonothorax
Medical conditions associated with decreased or absent of
breath sounds
Asthma
COPD
Pleural Effusion: fluid accumulating within the pleural space
Pneumothorax: caused by accumulation of air or gas in the pleural
space.
ARDS( adult respiratory distress syndrome)
Atelectasis : is defined as a state in which the lung, in whole or in
part, is collapsed or without air entery
Five Main Symptoms of Respiratory Disease
Cough Sputum Pain
Breathlessness Wheeze