Breath Sounds
This continuous, low-pitched sound resembles snoring and may move or clear after coughing
What are rhonchi?
Inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes that causes sneezing, congestion, rhinorrhea, and watery eyes.
What is rhinitis?
Collapse of alveoli that nurses help prevent with coughing, deep breathing, and an incentive spirometer.
What is atelectasis?
Air in the pleural space can partially or completely collapse a lung and cause this emergency.
What is a pneumothorax?
The position that often improves ventilation for a patient with pneumonia or respiratory distress.
What is semi-Fowler's position?
This high-pitched musical sound occurs most often during expiration when the airways narrow.
What is a wheeze?
The best first-aid position and action for a typical nosebleed.
What is sit upright, lean forward, and apply direct pressure to the soft part of the nose?
An inflammatory process affecting bronchioles and alveoli, often producing fever, chills, cough, and chest discomfort.
What is pneumonia?
Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia, and possible blood-streaked sputum may indicate this clot-related emergency.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
Before and between tracheal suction passes, the nurse performs this action to reduce hypoxemia.
What is hyperoxygenation?
This harsh, high-pitched sound usually occurs during inspiration and suggests upper airway narrowing.
What is Stridor?
This disorder causes pain or pressure around the eyes, headache, fever, and nasal congestion.
What is sinusitis?
A chronic productive cough for at least 3 months in each of 2 consecutive years meets the definition of this disorder.
What is chronic bronchitis?
Absent breath sounds on one side plus tracheal deviation to the unaffected side suggest this life-threatening condition
What is a tension pneumothorax?
During tracheal suctioning, suction is applied intermittently during this phase for no more than 10 to 15 seconds
What is while withdrawing the catheter?
These interrupted popping or bubbling sounds occur more often during inspiration and may signal fluid in the alveoli.
What are crackles, or rales?
Group A streptococcal pharyngitis can lead to these serious inflammatory complications affecting the heart or kidneys.
What are rheumatic fever, endocarditis, or glomerulonephritis
This inherited disorder causes thick, sticky mucus, recurrent respiratory infections, salty skin, and greasy stools.
What is cystic fibrosis?
This syndrome causes severe hypoxemia, bilateral infiltrates, pulmonary edema, and stiff lungs after a major insult.
What is acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS?
A patient with a tracheostomy becomes restless and agitated. SpO₂ falls to 84%, and breath sounds are diminished. Thick secretions are visible in the tracheostomy tube. What should the nurse do first?
What is assess airway patency, hyperoxygenate, and suction the tracheostomy?
This rough, grating sound occurs during inspiration and expiration when inflamed pleural surfaces rub together.
What is a pleural friction rub?
After nasal surgery or packing, this position supports breathing and helps limit swelling.
What is semi-Fowler's position?
This irreversible COPD condition destroys alveolar elasticity, traps air, and may cause pursed-lip breathing and a barrel chest.
What is emphysema?
This ventilator setting helps keep alveoli open at the end of expiration in severe ARDS.
What is positive end-expiratory pressure, or PEEP?
A postoperative patient becomes tachypneic and uses accessory muscles. According to ABC priorities, this problem requires immediate action
What is impaired oxygenation or respiratory distress?