Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care – Chapter 16 Exam |
Patient Assessment & Clinical Signs|Complete and Verified
Questions with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Musical inspiratory and expiratory sound associated with asthma
wheezes
difficulty breathing when lying supine
orthopnea
shape of thorax associated with emphysema
barrel chest
chest pain typical of acute coronary syndromes
angina
physical wasting associated with chronic lung disease
cachexia
blood pressure that is too low
shock
the sitting position that emphysema patients use when they are in trouble
tripoding
drop in blood pressure on inhalation associated with asthma and hyperinflation
pulsus paradoxus
inspiratory sound associated with atelectasis, pneumonia, and fibrosis
crackles
upper airway sound that may indicate life-threatening obstruction
stridor
soft tissue sucking in around ribs and neck when a patient has severe distress
retractions
dizziness associated with drop in blood pressure
,syncope
a rapid heart rate that may include a low blood oxygen level
tachycardia
presence of a fever
febrile
difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure
pulse pressure
a slow heart rate that may result in poor perfusion of tissues
bradycardia
bluish discoloration of skin often associated with hypoxemia
cyanosis
heart rate auscultated in chest is different than pulse rate felt in arm
pulse deficit
difficulty breathing
dyspnea
sensation of suffocation
breathlessness
What information would you gather before entering the patient's room?
read the patient's medical record to determine history of present illness, chief complaint, past
medical history, family/environmental history and systems review
describe how to start the ideal interview. Be sure to discuss space, privacy, and instructions.
Space: 4-12 ft to start, move closer, and try to get eye level
Privacy: use curtain if it is not a private room
Introductions: identify self, your purpose and identify patient
Which is the best approach?
A1. "Hi, Bob, good morning".
A2. "Good morning, Mr. Johnson."
,A2. "good morning, Mr. Johnson."
Which is the best approach?
B1. Stand at the food of the bed
B2. Sit in a chair at the bedside
B2. Sit in a chair at the bedside
Which is the best approach?
C1. Make room for your notes on the bedside table
C2. Keep your clipboard on your lap
C2. Keep your clipboard on your lap
Which is the best approach?
D1. "Do you need anything right now?"
D2. "I'll tell your nurse to check on you."
D2. "I'll tell your nurse to check on you."
Which is the best approach?
E1. "I'll be back to see you in one hour."
E2. "I'll return in a while to check on you."
E1. "i'll be back to see you in one hour."
Which is the best approach?
F1. "what are you coughing up?"
F2. "You didn't cough up blood, did you?"
F1. "what are you coughing up?"
Which is the best approach?
G1. "I understand you don't like your breathing treatments."
G2. "Why don't you like your breathing treatments?"
G1. "I understand you don't like your breathing treatments."
, Which is the best approach?
H1. "How is your breathing today?"
H2. "Is your breathing better today?"
H1. "how is your breathing today?"
When are "closed" questions most useful? Give an example.
Closed questions are best when you want specific information or want to clarify something
"How much did you cough up?"
Describe the dyspnea (Borg) scale. List several reasons why this scale would be useful.
The Borg scale is useful because it quantifies the level of dyspnea. The scale asks the patient to
rate his/her dyspnea from 1 (least) - 10 (worst). Because this is subjective symptom, the scale
allows us to get valuable information and compare how a person responds to therapists. Patient
perception of difficulty breathing is valid and useful.
How else can you identify the degree of dyspnea a patient feels? Explain the different between
dyspnea and breathlessness.
Identify the level of exertion (activity) associated with dyspnea. Dyspnea is the sensation of
difficulty breathing, whereas, breathlessness means you feel like you are not getting enough air.
What are the possible causes of a dry cough?
restrictive: CHF, fibrosis
What are the possible causes of a loose, productive cough?
Inflammation: astma, COPD
What is the possible cause of an acute, self-limiting cough?
viral respiratory infection
What are the possible causes for a chronic cough?
gastroesophageal reflux disease, nasal drip, asthma, medication
What is the difference between mucus and sputum?
Mucus is normally produced by healthy airways. When the amount of mucus is increased and
expectorated, it is called sputum.
What are the three characteristics of sputum that should be documented and reported to the
physician and other member of the health care team?
Patient Assessment & Clinical Signs|Complete and Verified
Questions with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Musical inspiratory and expiratory sound associated with asthma
wheezes
difficulty breathing when lying supine
orthopnea
shape of thorax associated with emphysema
barrel chest
chest pain typical of acute coronary syndromes
angina
physical wasting associated with chronic lung disease
cachexia
blood pressure that is too low
shock
the sitting position that emphysema patients use when they are in trouble
tripoding
drop in blood pressure on inhalation associated with asthma and hyperinflation
pulsus paradoxus
inspiratory sound associated with atelectasis, pneumonia, and fibrosis
crackles
upper airway sound that may indicate life-threatening obstruction
stridor
soft tissue sucking in around ribs and neck when a patient has severe distress
retractions
dizziness associated with drop in blood pressure
,syncope
a rapid heart rate that may include a low blood oxygen level
tachycardia
presence of a fever
febrile
difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure
pulse pressure
a slow heart rate that may result in poor perfusion of tissues
bradycardia
bluish discoloration of skin often associated with hypoxemia
cyanosis
heart rate auscultated in chest is different than pulse rate felt in arm
pulse deficit
difficulty breathing
dyspnea
sensation of suffocation
breathlessness
What information would you gather before entering the patient's room?
read the patient's medical record to determine history of present illness, chief complaint, past
medical history, family/environmental history and systems review
describe how to start the ideal interview. Be sure to discuss space, privacy, and instructions.
Space: 4-12 ft to start, move closer, and try to get eye level
Privacy: use curtain if it is not a private room
Introductions: identify self, your purpose and identify patient
Which is the best approach?
A1. "Hi, Bob, good morning".
A2. "Good morning, Mr. Johnson."
,A2. "good morning, Mr. Johnson."
Which is the best approach?
B1. Stand at the food of the bed
B2. Sit in a chair at the bedside
B2. Sit in a chair at the bedside
Which is the best approach?
C1. Make room for your notes on the bedside table
C2. Keep your clipboard on your lap
C2. Keep your clipboard on your lap
Which is the best approach?
D1. "Do you need anything right now?"
D2. "I'll tell your nurse to check on you."
D2. "I'll tell your nurse to check on you."
Which is the best approach?
E1. "I'll be back to see you in one hour."
E2. "I'll return in a while to check on you."
E1. "i'll be back to see you in one hour."
Which is the best approach?
F1. "what are you coughing up?"
F2. "You didn't cough up blood, did you?"
F1. "what are you coughing up?"
Which is the best approach?
G1. "I understand you don't like your breathing treatments."
G2. "Why don't you like your breathing treatments?"
G1. "I understand you don't like your breathing treatments."
, Which is the best approach?
H1. "How is your breathing today?"
H2. "Is your breathing better today?"
H1. "how is your breathing today?"
When are "closed" questions most useful? Give an example.
Closed questions are best when you want specific information or want to clarify something
"How much did you cough up?"
Describe the dyspnea (Borg) scale. List several reasons why this scale would be useful.
The Borg scale is useful because it quantifies the level of dyspnea. The scale asks the patient to
rate his/her dyspnea from 1 (least) - 10 (worst). Because this is subjective symptom, the scale
allows us to get valuable information and compare how a person responds to therapists. Patient
perception of difficulty breathing is valid and useful.
How else can you identify the degree of dyspnea a patient feels? Explain the different between
dyspnea and breathlessness.
Identify the level of exertion (activity) associated with dyspnea. Dyspnea is the sensation of
difficulty breathing, whereas, breathlessness means you feel like you are not getting enough air.
What are the possible causes of a dry cough?
restrictive: CHF, fibrosis
What are the possible causes of a loose, productive cough?
Inflammation: astma, COPD
What is the possible cause of an acute, self-limiting cough?
viral respiratory infection
What are the possible causes for a chronic cough?
gastroesophageal reflux disease, nasal drip, asthma, medication
What is the difference between mucus and sputum?
Mucus is normally produced by healthy airways. When the amount of mucus is increased and
expectorated, it is called sputum.
What are the three characteristics of sputum that should be documented and reported to the
physician and other member of the health care team?
