Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of patient assessment in respiratory therapy?
What is the primary purpose of patient assessment in respiratory therapy?
Which of the following is NOT a part of the patient assessment process?
Which of the following is NOT a part of the patient assessment process?
What could the distention of the jugular vein indicate during a patient assessment?
What could the distention of the jugular vein indicate during a patient assessment?
In a patient experiencing respiratory distress, which finding would be most atypical?
In a patient experiencing respiratory distress, which finding would be most atypical?
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What aspect of patient assessment is vital for determining appropriate interventions in respiratory care?
What aspect of patient assessment is vital for determining appropriate interventions in respiratory care?
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When assessing a comatose patient, which initial evaluation should be prioritized?
When assessing a comatose patient, which initial evaluation should be prioritized?
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In respiratory therapy, patient history is critical because it helps in identifying:
In respiratory therapy, patient history is critical because it helps in identifying:
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Which diagnostic test is commonly included in a comprehensive patient assessment for respiratory issues?
Which diagnostic test is commonly included in a comprehensive patient assessment for respiratory issues?
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What is the primary reason for selecting a high flow nasal cannula system for an adult patient?
What is the primary reason for selecting a high flow nasal cannula system for an adult patient?
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In addition to standard precautions, what additional precautions are necessary before entering the room of a patient with severe influenza?
In addition to standard precautions, what additional precautions are necessary before entering the room of a patient with severe influenza?
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How would you best describe a patient's breathing pattern that alternates between small and large tidal volumes, stopping for 10 seconds?
How would you best describe a patient's breathing pattern that alternates between small and large tidal volumes, stopping for 10 seconds?
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What is the most likely cause of a grating sound during lung auscultation with associated pain over the lungs?
What is the most likely cause of a grating sound during lung auscultation with associated pain over the lungs?
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What action should be taken for a patient receiving 4 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula, with an oxygen saturation of 83%?
What action should be taken for a patient receiving 4 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula, with an oxygen saturation of 83%?
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What could explain distended external jugular veins in a patient positioned with their head and body raised?
What could explain distended external jugular veins in a patient positioned with their head and body raised?
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After administering a breathing treatment with albuterol, the patient's heart rate increases significantly. What should be done next?
After administering a breathing treatment with albuterol, the patient's heart rate increases significantly. What should be done next?
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What would be the most appropriate recommendation for a patient with clear breath sounds receiving scheduled aerosol treatments with albuterol?
What would be the most appropriate recommendation for a patient with clear breath sounds receiving scheduled aerosol treatments with albuterol?
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In volume controlled A/C ventilation, if the peak pressure increases while the plateau pressure remains unchanged and wheezing is noted, what is the best course of action?
In volume controlled A/C ventilation, if the peak pressure increases while the plateau pressure remains unchanged and wheezing is noted, what is the best course of action?
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What should be suggested for a patient with thick yellow secretions and an elevated white blood cell count?
What should be suggested for a patient with thick yellow secretions and an elevated white blood cell count?
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What would be the most appropriate recommendation for a patient in respiratory distress with complaints of chest tightness and shoulder pain?
What would be the most appropriate recommendation for a patient in respiratory distress with complaints of chest tightness and shoulder pain?
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Which sign is least likely to be exhibited by a patient in respiratory distress due to severe hypoxemia?
Which sign is least likely to be exhibited by a patient in respiratory distress due to severe hypoxemia?
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What condition is most likely indicated by a trachea that is not positioned in the midline during assessment?
What condition is most likely indicated by a trachea that is not positioned in the midline during assessment?
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Which approach is least appropriate for obtaining a patient's medication history when the patient is unable to speak?
Which approach is least appropriate for obtaining a patient's medication history when the patient is unable to speak?
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What is the most likely interpretation of an EKG showing no identifiable P waves with an irregular ventricular rhythm?
What is the most likely interpretation of an EKG showing no identifiable P waves with an irregular ventricular rhythm?
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In an ICU assessment, a heart rate of 134 beats/min is noted. Which factor is most likely contributing to this elevated heart rate?
In an ICU assessment, a heart rate of 134 beats/min is noted. Which factor is most likely contributing to this elevated heart rate?
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Which respiratory sign is considered abnormal for an adult patient at rest?
Which respiratory sign is considered abnormal for an adult patient at rest?
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What is the first action to take when a patient does not respond during a level of consciousness check?
What is the first action to take when a patient does not respond during a level of consciousness check?
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What type of breathing is characterized by extremely deep and fast respiratory effort?
What type of breathing is characterized by extremely deep and fast respiratory effort?
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A patient describes feeling like they are getting enough air but breathe fast. This may indicate which condition?
A patient describes feeling like they are getting enough air but breathe fast. This may indicate which condition?
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What does the presence of wheezing after bronchodilator therapy during an asthma attack suggest?
What does the presence of wheezing after bronchodilator therapy during an asthma attack suggest?
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What finding is most consistent with the use of neck muscles during regular inspiration?
What finding is most consistent with the use of neck muscles during regular inspiration?
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When assessing sputum in the ICU, which characteristic is most meaningful to document?
When assessing sputum in the ICU, which characteristic is most meaningful to document?
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What could cause a radial pulse to feel bounding and full?
What could cause a radial pulse to feel bounding and full?
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What indicates normal diaphragm activity during inspiration?
What indicates normal diaphragm activity during inspiration?
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What best describes a pulse that is unevenly spaced with decreased strength during inspiration?
What best describes a pulse that is unevenly spaced with decreased strength during inspiration?
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What is the most probable cause of crepitations felt on palpation of a patient's neck after a motor vehicle accident?
What is the most probable cause of crepitations felt on palpation of a patient's neck after a motor vehicle accident?
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Hearing bronchial breath sounds over a lobe generally indicates which condition?
Hearing bronchial breath sounds over a lobe generally indicates which condition?
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What disadvantage of pulse oximeters affects clinical decision-making the most?
What disadvantage of pulse oximeters affects clinical decision-making the most?
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Study Notes
Patient Assessment for Respiratory Therapists
- Patient assessment is crucial for guiding respiratory therapy treatment.
- It involves gathering vital signs, physical examinations, diagnostic tests, and patient history.
- Proficiency in patient assessment is essential for accurate and effective care.
- Assessments evaluate physical, emotional, and psychological health.
Sample TMC Practice Questions (Patient Assessment)
- Jugular vein distention: Likely cause is right ventricular failure.
- Respiratory distress (24-year-old female): Expect diaphoresis, accessory muscle use, intercostal retractions, but not a normal respiratory rate.
- Comatose patient (61-year-old): Obtain medication history from past medical records, current prescription vials (from family), or the patient's nurse. Avoid blood drug screens initially unless other clues suggest.
- EKG with no P waves and irregular rhythm: Likely atrial fibrillation.
- High heart rate (134 beats/min, regular rhythm): Likely anxiety or agitation.
- Abnormal respiratory signs (adult at rest): High posterior ribs, scalene muscle use, and costal angle increase with inspiration—these are all abnormal. Normal respiratory rate is 18.
- Patient appears asleep, no response to speech: Gently shake the patient's arm.
- Extremely deep and fast breathing: Possible Kussmaul breathing.
- Patient describing breathing difficulties, sleeping with one pillow: Suggests increased work of breathing or dyspnea. Orthopnea means difficulty breathing while reclining.
- Asthma attack with diminished breath sounds, then wheezing: Improvement of airflow with bronchodilator therapy.
- Neck muscle use during inspiration: Suggests COPD.
- Sputum sample: Document density and viscosity.
- Bounding radial pulse: Suggests hypertension; low cardiac output points to a weak pulse.
- Diaphragm movement during inspiration: Outward motion of the abdomen.
- Unevenly spaced pulse with decreased strength during inspiration: Pulsus paradoxus.
- Crepitations felt in the neck: Possible pneumothorax.
- Bronchial breath sounds in right lower lobe: Lung sounds indicate consolidation.
- Pulse oximeter disadvantage: Potential false results leading to incorrect decisions.
- Discrepancy between SpO2 and SaO2: Possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Evaluating arteries for abnormalities: Angiography.
- Flat percussion note: Indicates pneumothorax or atelectasis.
- Unable to obtain EKG reading: Likely due to motion artifact.
- High-flow nasal cannula use: To assure the delivery of a stable or fixed FiO2.
- Patient with influenza: Droplet precautions additional to standard precautions.
- Patient breathing pattern changing: Cheyne-Stokes (small to large to small, stops then repeats). Kussmaul is deep and rapid, but regular.
- Grating sound on inspiration and expiration, pain: Pleural friction rub.
- Patient with nasal cannula at 4 L/min and complaints of difficulty breathing, SpO2 83%: Increase the oxygen flow (to 6 LPM or above).
- Distended jugular veins, elevated head and body: Could indicate fluid overload.
- Patient on breathing treatment with albuterol, worsening heart rate/respiration: Stop the treatment, monitor, and notify the physician.
- Patient receiving scheduled aerosol treatments, clear breath sounds: Consider continuing treatments, but discuss with the physician.
- Patient on volume controlled A/C ventilation with increasing peak pressure: Nebulize a bronchodilator. Consider obtaining vital signs frequently and assessing for possible deterioration.
- Patient with elevated WBC count, elevated temperature, and thick secretions: Obtain a sputum sample for culture and sensitivity.
- Chest tightness, radiating pain: Obtain a stat chest x-ray.
- Severe hypoxemia patient signs: Diaphoresis, cyanosis, tachypnea (rapid breathing). Bradycardia will not be a sign of hypoxemic distress.
- Trachea not in midline: Possible lobar collapse.
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Description
This quiz focuses on essential patient assessment skills for respiratory therapists. It covers vital signs, diagnostic tests, and methods for evaluating the physical and emotional health of patients. Familiarity with these concepts is vital for effective treatment in respiratory care.
