Cardiovascular and Respiratory System Quiz

Respiratory System

• Cheyne-Stokes breathing is associated with stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, and congestive heart failure.

Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP)

• A paradoxical increase in JVP during inspiration is called Kussmaul's sign.
• Abdominojugular reflux (HJR) is an abnormal distension of the neck veins seen when firm hand pressure is applied over the abdomen.
• A positive HJR test is indicated by a JVP level increasing >3 cm above the baseline and remaining elevated for more than 10 seconds.

Chest and Respiration

• Barrel chest hyperinflation causes the anteroposterior to increase to a 1.1 ratio.
• Dyspnea on mild exertion is often caused by failure of the left ventricular cardiac output to rise during exercise.
• Subacute cough lasts 3 to 8 weeks, usually with a post-infectious origin.
• Chronic cough lasts longer than 8 weeks.

Pulse

• The radial pulse is best felt between the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis and the radius bone at the wrist.
• The brachial pulse can be felt in the upper arm by pressing laterally against the humerus in the bicipital groove or in the lower part of the arm by pressing posteriorly against the humerus.

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

• Intraabdominal pressures exceeding 20 mmHg can lead to abdominal compartment syndrome.

Chest Pains

• Non-pleuritic chest pains are typically located in the center of the anterior chest and may radiate to the shoulder, neck, or back.

Respiratory Rate and Depth

• Hyperventilation is characterized by a rate and depth greater than metabolic needs, producing a low PaCO2 and a high pH.
• Hypoventilation is characterized by a rate and depth that does not meet metabolic needs, producing a high PaCO2 and a low pH.

Percussion

• Percussion penetrates the chest to 5-7 cm.
• A flatness or dullness on percussion indicates a pleural effusion or lobar pneumonia.

Adventitious Sounds

• Inspiratory adventitious sounds include stridor, crackles (rales), rubs, and rhonchi.
• Rhonchi are low-pitched wheezing, snoring, or squeaking sounds caused by partial airway obstruction.

Tactile Fremitus

• Tactile fremitus is a vibration felt on the patient's chest during low-frequency vocalization.

Posturing

• Decerebrate posturing indicates brain injury, characterized by extension of the arms and legs, and the toes pointing downward and the head arched backward.
• Decorticate posturing indicates damage to the corticospinal tract, characterized by arm flexion, clenched fists, and extended legs.

Pulse Location

• The carotid pulse can be felt between the trachea and the muscles in the neck, just below the mandible.
• The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the lateral side of the extensor hallucis longus tendon.

Cyanosis

• Central cyanosis is seen in the lips and oral mucosa, caused by a reduction in arterial O2 content, usually due to respiratory failure.
• Peripheral cyanosis is visible in the digits, caused by poor peripheral circulation, which allows increased O2 consumption and reduced Hb saturation in peripheral tissues.