15 Questions
What is the characteristic sound heard over most of the lung fields during auscultation?
Vesicular breath sounds
During chest auscultation, which type of breath sounds may be heard over the upper anterior chest and intercostal area?
Bronchovesicular breath sounds
Which type of breath sounds are characterized by harsh, hollow quality and are typically abnormal when heard over the lung fields?
Bronchial breath sounds
If a healthcare provider hears bronchial breath sounds over a peripheral lung field, what could this indicate?
Presence of atelectasis
In a healthy individual, where would you expect to hear vesicular breath sounds during a routine chest auscultation?
Over most of the lung fields
Where are vesicular breath sounds best heard?
Over the base of the lung
Which breath sound is described as a 'blowing' sound created by air movement through larger airways?
Bronchovesicular breath sound
What is the characteristic location of bronchial breath sounds?
Over the trachea
In which area of the body would you expect to hear bronchial breath sounds?
Over the trachea
What distinguishes bronchial breath sounds from vesicular breath sounds?
'Blowing' sound
Which breath sound is characterized by soft, low-pitched sounds heard over most of the lung fields?
Vesicular breath sounds
What is the expected ratio of the Anterior-Posterior (AP) Diameter to the transverse diameter in a normal chest shape?
1:2
During palpation of the posterior thorax, what is an abnormal finding related to chest expansion?
Asymmetric or decreased chest expansion
What is defined as the faintly perceptible vibration felt through the chest wall when the client speaks?
Tactile fremitus
Which breath sound is characterized by high-pitched, loud sounds heard over the trachea and larynx?
Bronchial breath sounds
Study Notes
Percussion Sounds
- Normal lung tissue: long, loud, low-pitched, hollow sound
- Hyperresonance: lung hyperinflation, COPD, Pneumothorax
- Tympany: gastric air bubble, large pneumothorax, very loud, low-pitched sound
- Dullness: medium intensity, pitch and length, thud-like, bronchitis
- Flatness: short, high-pitched, extremely dull sound, large pneumothorax
Stethoscope Usage
- Use bell of stethoscope for low-pitched sounds
- Use diaphragm of stethoscope for high-pitched sounds (normal heart sounds, breath sounds, bowel sounds)
Auscultation
- Use flat disc of diaphragm for high-frequency sounds
- Use systematic side-to-side approach
- Ask client to take slow, deep breaths through mouth
Normal Breath Sounds
- Vesicular: soft-intensity, low-pitched, gentle sighing, heard over most lung fields, best location: peripheral lung, base of lung
- Bronchovesicular: moderate intensity and pitch, "blowing" sound, location: between scapulae and lateral to sternum, first and second intercostal spaces
- Bronchial: high-pitched, loud, harsh sounds, created by air moving through trachea, location: over trachea, not normally heard over lung tissue
Chest Deformities
- Barrel Chest: ratio of AP to transverse diameter is 1:1, increased AP diameter, caused by chronic lung diseases (emphysema)
- Scoliosis: lateral curvature or deviation of the spine, caused by trauma, present since birth, idiopathic scoliosis
- Kyphosis: excessive curve in lumbar spine, slack tummy muscles, protruding buttocks
Mucoid Secretions
- Clear: COPD
- Yellow: acute lower respiratory tract infection/asthma
Chest Landmarks
- Accurate localization and count of first rib, first intercostal space, second rib, second intercostal space
Thoracic/Chest Landmark
- Apex: where the upper lobe begins
- Base: broad, concave, and rests upon the convex surface of the diaphragm
- Three lobes to the right, two lobes to the left
This quiz covers the interpretation of percussion sounds during lung examination. Learn about the sounds produced by normal lung tissue, hyperresonance, tympany, dullness, and flatness, and their association with various lung conditions such as bronchitis, COPD, pneumothorax, and gastric air bubble.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
