Health and Physical Assessment Thorax and Lungs Questions and
Answers with Complete Solutions UPDATED!!!
Common chief complaints of Lungs/thorax - ANSWER dyspnea
cough
sputum
chest pain
right lung middle lobe borders - ANSWER 4th rib at right sternal
border
5th rib at mid axillary line
6th rib at mid clavicular line
posterior upper lung lobes - ANSWER T1-T3
posterior lower lung lobes - ANSWER T3-T10
Mediastinum - ANSWER lies between lungs
contains trachea, esophagus, heart, great vessels
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Trachea - ANSWER bifurcates into right and left bronchi at 4th
or 5th vertebra posteriorly or sternal angle anteriorly
pleura - ANSWER serous membrane that enfolds lungs;
reflected on walls of throax and diaphragm.
Moistened w/ serous secretion w/ reduces friction
parietal pleura - ANSWER Line chest wall and superior surface
of diaphragm
visceral pleura - ANSWER lines external surface of lungs
pleural friction rub - ANSWER heard when pleura is inflamed
and the lubricating surfaces is lost: coarse, low pitched, grating
sound, pain with breathing
phrenic nerve - ANSWER innervates diaphragm
diaphragm - ANSWER muscle most responsible for inspiratory
increase in thoracic cage size
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located inferior thoracic border @ right 5th ICS MCL and left 6th
ICS MCL
external intercostal muscles - ANSWER located in intercostal
spaces
elevate ribs during inspiration, increasing size of thoracic cavity
internal intercostal muscls - ANSWER draw adjacent ribs
together
decrease size of thoracic cage during expiration
accessory muscles - ANSWER scalene, sternomastoid, trapezius,
abdominal rectus muscles
accommodate increased oxygen demands
Inspection of skin - ANSWER color of lips and skin, superficial
veins (may indicate superior vena cava obstruction
Normal: no pallor, rubor, cyanosis, superficial veins, masses
Clubbing - ANSWER nail angle >160 degrees