Question

what assessments would a nurse make when auscultating the lungs? presence of edema volume of air exhaled or inhaled abnormal chest structures air flow through the respiratory passage

Answer 1

When auscultating the lungs, a nurse assesses air flow, listens for abnormal sounds, and may evaluate the volume of air exhaled or inhaled. Edema is indirectly suggested by auscultatory findings but is more directly assessed through physical exam and imaging. Observations during auscultation can guide further diagnostic testing like spirometry, which measures lung volumes and capacities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessments Made When Auscultating the Lungs

When auscultating the lungs, a nurse evaluates several aspects of respiratory health. One key observation includes the air flow through the respiratory passage, which can reveal the presence of airway obstructions as seen in conditions like asthma or emphysema. The nurse would listen for normal breath sounds and any abnormal sounds, such as crackles, wheezing, or absence of breath sounds, which could indicate fluid in the lungs or other issues. Additionally, the nurse may assess the volume of air exhaled or inhaled, evaluating aspects like forced expiratory volume (FEV) and forced vital capacity (FVC). The presence of edema is typically assessed through physical examination and sometimes with imaging, rather than solely through auscultation. However, auscultation findings can suggest complications associated with edema.

Lung volumes and lung capacity can reveal restrictive or obstructive lung diseases. For instance, a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio may suggest an obstructive pathology such as asthma, where the patient finds it difficult to exhale air quickly; conversely, a high FEV1/FVC ratio may suggest restrictive diseases like fibrosis, where the lungs are stiff and non-compliant. The lung capacity and volumes are typically measured using spirometry, which is a separate process from auscultation but may be considered in conjunction with auscultation findings to provide a comprehensive assessment of lung health.

Answer 2

When auscultating the lungs, a nurse assesses the presence of edema, volume of air exhaled or inhaled, abnormal chest structures, and air flow through the respiratory passage.

Step-by-step explanation:

When auscultating the lungs, a nurse would make several assessments:

Presence of edema: The nurse can listen for crackling or rattling sounds, known as crepitation, which may indicate the presence of fluid in the lungs.

Volume of air exhaled or inhaled: The nurse can listen for the intensity and duration of breath sounds, such as the loudness and length of inspiration and expiration. Differences in air volume may suggest abnormalities in lung function.

Abnormal chest structures: The nurse can listen for abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezes, rales, or rhonchi, which may indicate structural abnormalities in the chest or airways.

Air flow through the respiratory passage: The nurse can listen for the presence of abnormal or diminished breath sounds, such as absent or decreased breath sounds, which may suggest problems with airway patency or obstructions.