Respiratory Exam

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Questions and Answers

What does a plethoric complexion typically indicate?

Dehydration

Hypoxia

COPD and CO2 retention (correct)

Liver disease

Ptosis or drooping eyelids can be a sign of which syndrome?

Alzheimer's disease

Down syndrome

Horner's syndrome (correct)

Graves' disease

What condition is associated with miosis or constricted pupils?

Migraines

Horner's syndrome (correct)

Panic attacks

Acute glaucoma

Conjunctival pallor in the lower lid is often an indication of what underlying condition?

Anemia Signup and view all the answers

Central cyanosis, characterized by a bluish coloration of the lips and tongue, indicates what?

Severe hypoxaemia Signup and view all the answers

What medical condition is commonly associated with a productive cough?

Pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

Which signs indicate shortness of breath?

Pursed lips and accessory muscle use Signup and view all the answers

What does finger clubbing typically indicate?

Respiratory disease Signup and view all the answers

Identify a symptom typical of high-pitched breath sounds.

Stridor Signup and view all the answers

What does cyanosis indicate?

Poor circulation or oxygenation Signup and view all the answers

Which condition could lead to asterixis?

Severe COPD Signup and view all the answers

What causes oedema related to right ventricular failure?

Fluid leakage into tissues Signup and view all the answers

What behavior is indicated by tar staining on hands?

Smoking habits Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is associated with a dry cough?

Interstitial lung disease Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of a wheeze?

Asthma or COPD Signup and view all the answers

What defines pectus carinatum?

A proud chest appearance Signup and view all the answers

What sign is indicative of tachycardia in the arms?

Increased pulse rate Signup and view all the answers

Which lymph nodes are located under the bend of the jaw?

Submandibular nodes Signup and view all the answers

What can cause displacement of the apex beat in chest palpation?

Tricuspid regurgitation Signup and view all the answers

What condition might cause inward movement of the abdomen during inspiration?

Diaphragmatic paralysis Signup and view all the answers

Which area consists of five points in percussion and auscultation during examination of the back?

Around the scapula Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic symptom of cor pulmonale as observed in the legs?

Leg swelling or edema Signup and view all the answers

What condition is indicated by a bluish discoloration of the skin?

Hypothermia or hypoxia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following causes an enlarged right ventricle and can lead to leg edema?

Cor pulmonale Signup and view all the answers

Where is the trachea ideally positioned in the neck?

Central Signup and view all the answers

Which type of chest expansion indicates reduced movement?

Reduced expansion Signup and view all the answers

What does periauricular lymph nodes refer to?

Under the ear Signup and view all the answers

What should be observed during percussion of the abdomen?

Liver size and motion Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of pectus excavatum on health?

Restricted lung function Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General Impression

A productive cough may indicate pneumonia, bronchitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A dry cough may indicate asthma or interstitial lung disease.
Wheezing can be a symptom of asthma, COPD, or bronchiectasis.
Stridor, a high-pitched breathing sound, indicates narrowed upper airways.
Shortness of breath can manifest as nasal flaring, pursed lips, accessory muscle use, and a tripod position.
Cyanosis, or bluish discoloration, indicates poor circulation, potentially due to hypovolemia, inadequate oxygenation , or right-to-left cardiac shunting.
Cachexia, extreme muscle loss, may indicate an underlying malignancy.
Oedema, or swelling, is a potential sign of right ventricular failure.

Hands

Tar staining on the hands indicates smoking habits, which increase the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and respiratory pathology.
Finger clubbing, where knuckles and nails appear rounded and swollen, is a sign of respiratory disease in approximately 80% of cases.
Asterixis, a flapping tremor where the hands fall forward when outstretched, suggests severe carbon dioxide (CO2) retention due to severe COPD.

Face

A plethoric complexion, or redness, may indicate COPD and CO2 retention.
Ptosis, or drooping eyelids, is a sign of Horner’s syndrome associated with apical lung carcinoma
Miosis, or constricting pupils, is also seen with Horner's syndrome and apical lung carcinoma.
Conjunctival pallor, or whiteness in the lower eyelid, indicates underlying anaemia.
Oral candidiasis, or thrush, is a sign of immunosuppression.
Central cyanosis, characterized by a bluish tint in the lips and tongue, suggests severe hypoxemia, pneumonia, COPD, or pulmonary embolism.

Neck

The trachea should be positioned centrally.
Lymph nodes should be assessed in different areas: periauricular (front of ear), parotid (under earlobe), submandibular (under bend of jaw), submental (under jaw), anterior chain (in line with the ear on the neck), and posterior chain (in line with the hair).

Arms

A rapid pulse rate, or tachycardia, is a serious symptom of asthma and often accompanies dyspnea or hypoxia.

Chest

Pectus carinatum, or a proud chest, also known as pigeon chest.
Pectus excavatum, a sunken chest, can interfere with heart and lung function.
Chest Palpation
Apex beat: Located in the fifth intercostal space (base of the heart), displacement can occur due to ventricular hypertrophy from COPD, pulmonary hypertension, large pleural effusion, or tension pneumothorax.
Chest expansion: Observing the movement of the thumbs on the chest, reduced movement indicates reduced expansion.
Percussion and auscultation: Assess 12 points from the clavicle to under the chest.

Abdomen

Hepatomegaly, or enlargement of the liver, can be caused by tricuspid regurgitation or ptosis.
Inward movement of the abdomen during inspiration may indicate diaphragmatic paralysis.

Back

Check for scars and deformities.
Assess for sacral oedema.
Assess posterior expansion by observing the movement of the thumbs during breathing.
Percussion and auscultation: Check 5 points around the scapula.

Legs

Oedema, or swelling in the legs, can be caused by cor pulmonale, which is an enlarged right ventricle as a result of a lung condition.
Cyanosis, or bluish discoloration, can be caused by hypothermia or hypoxia.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various respiratory symptoms and their implications in this quiz. Learn about conditions like pneumonia, asthma, and the significance of signs like wheezing and cyanosis. Deepen your understanding of how these symptoms relate to respiratory health and disease.