Definitions
Normal Breath Sounds
Abnormal Breath Sounds
Physical Assessment
Signs & Symptoms
100

Bisects the center of each clavicle at the halfway point

What is midclavicular line?

100

The side of the stethoscope that is appropriate for auscultating breath sounds.

What is the diaphragm?

100

High-pitched squeaking sound, mostly during expiration.  Occurs in asthma.

What is a wheeze?

100

This lung has three lobes, but is the shorter one.

What is the right lung?

100

Exaggerated posterior curvature of thoracic spine (humpback)

What is kyphosis?

200

Middle section of the thoracic cavity.  Includes esophagus, trachea, heart, great vessels.

What is the mediastinum?

200

The type of normal breath sound heard over the trachea and larynx.

What is bronchial?

200

Loud, low-pitched bubbling and gurgling sounds.  Can decrease with coughing or suctioning.

What is course crackles?

200

The best location to count infant respirations.

What is the abdomen?

200

A course, crackling sensation felt over the skin surface.

What is crepitus?

300

Thin, slippery serous membranes that form an envelope between the lungs and the chest wall

What are pleurae?

300

The type of normal breath sound heard over the peripheral lung fields.

What is vesicular?

300

High-pitched crowing sound.  Louder in the neck. Occurs in airway obstruction.

What is stridor?

300

Normal range for adult respiratory rate

What is 10-20 breaths per minute?

300

The need to be upright to breathe easier.

What is orthopnea?

400

This is the palpable vibration felt over the chest wall, especially when the patient repeats the word "ninety-nine".

What is tactile fremitus?

400

The best location for auscultating the lower lobes.

What is the back?

400

Very superficial sound that is course and low-pitched.  Sounds like two pieces of leather are being rubbed together.

What is pleural friction rub?

400

Nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx

What is the upper airway?

400

A cycle in which respirations wax and wane in a regular pattern, followed by brief periods of apnea.

What is Cheyne-Stokes respirations?

500

Markedly sunken sternum, AKA funnel breast

What is pectus excavatum?

500

The primary stimulus to breathe.

What is hypercapnia?

500

Normal inspiration with prolonged expiration to overcome increased airway resistance

What is chronic obstructive breathing?

500

Low-pitched, clear, hollow, sound that predominates in healthy adult lung tissue during percussion.

What is resonance?

500

Skin pulling in tightly around the ribs or neck with each breath.

What are retractions?