Question

A nurse is auscultating the lungs of an adolescent who has asthma. The nurse should identify the sound as which of the following?

a) Cheyne-stokes respiration

b) Tachypnea

c) Biot's respiration

d) All of these

Answer 1

A nurse auscultating the lungs of an adolescent with asthma should expect to hear wheezing, a high-pitched whistling sound due to airway narrowing, rather than the respiratory patterns described in the options given (Cheyne-Stokes, Tachypnea, Biot's).

Step-by-step explanation:

When auscultating the lungs of an adolescent with asthma, a nurse might expect to hear wheezing, which is a high-pitched whistling sound, due to the narrowing of the airways. This sound is not associated with Cheyne-Stokes respiration, which is characterized by a gradual increase and then decrease in depth of breathing followed by a period of apnea; nor is it associated with Tachypnea, which refers to rapid breathing; nor with Biot's respiration, which is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by groups of quick, shallow inspirations followed by regular or irregular periods of apnea. Asthma is best characterized on auscultation by the presence of wheezing due to airflow obstruction.

Clarification of Terms:

1. Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the airways, airway hyperresponsiveness, and recurrent episodes of wheezing.
2. Crepitation (a crackling sound) and a shortness of breath could suggest conditions such as pneumonia.
3. The ability to expel air rapidly from the lungs can be measured using spirometry and may help diagnose restrictive diseases.