Health Assessment In Nursing - Breath Sounds

Orthopnea refers to the difficulty in breathing when lying flat or supine. It is a condition commonly seen in individuals with heart failure or lung diseases. When a person with orthopnea lies down, the excess fluid in the lungs can accumulate and make breathing more difficult. This symptom often improves when the person sits up or sleeps with their upper body elevated.

Crepitus refers to a "cracking" sensation. It is a term used to describe a sound or feeling that occurs when there is friction between bones or cartilage. This can happen due to various reasons such as joint degeneration, injury, or inflammation. Crepitus is often associated with conditions like arthritis or joint dysfunction. The sensation can be accompanied by pain or discomfort, and it is important to seek medical attention if it persists or worsens.

When auscultating the posterior thorax, it is important for the nurse to ask the client to breathe deeply through her mouth. This is because deep breathing allows for better lung expansion and airflow, which can help the nurse to hear any abnormal breath sounds more clearly. By asking the client to breathe deeply through her mouth, the nurse can ensure that the auscultation is done effectively and accurately.

The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible bronchitis because sonorous wheezes are a common symptom of bronchitis. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which can cause narrowing of the airways and produce wheezing sounds. Wheezing is typically heard during expiration due to the narrowing of the airways. Asthma and chronic emphysema can also cause wheezing, but the presence of sonorous wheezes suggests bronchitis as the most likely cause. Pleuritis, on the other hand, is inflammation of the pleura and does not typically cause wheezing.

Bronchovesicular breath sounds are characterized by a medium pitch, with the sound of exhalation equaling that of inhalation. These sounds are typically heard over the main bronchus area and the upper right posterior lung fields.

Bronchial breath sounds are characterized by a high pitch, loud and long exhalation, and are typically heard over the trachea. They are not typically heard over most lung fields.

Vesicular breath sounds are low-pitched sounds that can be auscultated over most lung fields. They are characterized by a shorter duration on exhalation compared to inhalation, with inhalation being longer.