CH 18 THORAX AND LUNGS STUDY GUIDE // A+ GRADED
PRESENTATION // RESPIRATORY ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES AND CLINICAL FINDINGS FOR
STUDENT MASTERY // ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026
Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra prominens? The
vertebra prominens is:
a.
The spinous process of C7.
b.
Usually nonpalpable in most individuals.
c.
Opposite the interior border of the scapula.
d.
Located next to the manubrium of the sternum. - CORRECT ANSWER-
ANS: the spinous process of C7.
The spinous process of C7 is the vertebra prominens. It is the most
prominent bony spur protruding at the base of the neck. Counting ribs and
intercostal spaces on the posterior thorax is difficult because of the
muscles and soft tissue. The vertebra prominens is easier to identify and is
used as a starting point in counting thoracic processes and identifying
landmarks on the posterior chest.
When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse notices
a costal angle of approximately 90 degrees. This characteristic is:
,a.
Observed in patients with kyphosis.
b.
Indicative of pectus excavatum.
c.
A normal finding in a healthy adult.
d.
An expected finding in a patient with a barrel chest. - CORRECT
ANSWER-ANS: a normal finding in a healthy adult.
The right and left costal margins form an angle where they meet at the
xiphoid process. Usually, this angle is 90 degrees or less. The angle
increases when the rib cage is chronically overinflated, as in emphysema.
When assessing a patient's lungs, the nurse recalls that the left lung:
a.
Consists of two lobes.
b.
Is divided by the horizontal fissure.
c.
Primarily consists of an upper lobe on the posterior chest.
d.
,Is shorter than the right lung because of the underlying stomach. -
CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: consists of two lobes.
The left lung has two lobes, and the right lung has three lobes. The right
lung is shorter than the left lung because of the underlying liver. The left
lung is narrower than the right lung because the heart bulges to the left.
The posterior chest is almost all lower lobe.
Which statement about the apices of the lungs is true? The apices of the
lungs:
a.
Are at the level of the second rib anteriorly.
b.
Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
c.
Are located at the sixth rib anteriorly and the eighth rib laterally.
d.
Rest on the diaphragm at the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line
(MCL). - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third
of the clavicles.
The apex of the lung on the anterior chest is 3 to 4 cm above the inner third
of the clavicles. On the posterior chest, the apices are at the level of C7.
During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse keeps in mind that
the trachea bifurcates anteriorly at the:
, a.
Costal angle.
b.
Sternal angle.
c.
Xiphoid process.
d.
Suprasternal notch. - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: sternal angle.
The sternal angle marks the site of tracheal bifurcation into the right and left
main bronchi; it corresponds with the upper border of the atria of the heart,
and it lies above the fourth thoracic vertebra on the back.
During an assessment, the nurse knows that expected assessment findings
in the normal adult lung include the presence of:
a.
Adventitious sounds and limited chest expansion.
b.
Increased tactile fremitus and dull percussion tones.
c.
Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus.
d.
PRESENTATION // RESPIRATORY ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY
ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES AND CLINICAL FINDINGS FOR
STUDENT MASTERY // ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026
Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra prominens? The
vertebra prominens is:
a.
The spinous process of C7.
b.
Usually nonpalpable in most individuals.
c.
Opposite the interior border of the scapula.
d.
Located next to the manubrium of the sternum. - CORRECT ANSWER-
ANS: the spinous process of C7.
The spinous process of C7 is the vertebra prominens. It is the most
prominent bony spur protruding at the base of the neck. Counting ribs and
intercostal spaces on the posterior thorax is difficult because of the
muscles and soft tissue. The vertebra prominens is easier to identify and is
used as a starting point in counting thoracic processes and identifying
landmarks on the posterior chest.
When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse notices
a costal angle of approximately 90 degrees. This characteristic is:
,a.
Observed in patients with kyphosis.
b.
Indicative of pectus excavatum.
c.
A normal finding in a healthy adult.
d.
An expected finding in a patient with a barrel chest. - CORRECT
ANSWER-ANS: a normal finding in a healthy adult.
The right and left costal margins form an angle where they meet at the
xiphoid process. Usually, this angle is 90 degrees or less. The angle
increases when the rib cage is chronically overinflated, as in emphysema.
When assessing a patient's lungs, the nurse recalls that the left lung:
a.
Consists of two lobes.
b.
Is divided by the horizontal fissure.
c.
Primarily consists of an upper lobe on the posterior chest.
d.
,Is shorter than the right lung because of the underlying stomach. -
CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: consists of two lobes.
The left lung has two lobes, and the right lung has three lobes. The right
lung is shorter than the left lung because of the underlying liver. The left
lung is narrower than the right lung because the heart bulges to the left.
The posterior chest is almost all lower lobe.
Which statement about the apices of the lungs is true? The apices of the
lungs:
a.
Are at the level of the second rib anteriorly.
b.
Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles.
c.
Are located at the sixth rib anteriorly and the eighth rib laterally.
d.
Rest on the diaphragm at the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line
(MCL). - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third
of the clavicles.
The apex of the lung on the anterior chest is 3 to 4 cm above the inner third
of the clavicles. On the posterior chest, the apices are at the level of C7.
During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse keeps in mind that
the trachea bifurcates anteriorly at the:
, a.
Costal angle.
b.
Sternal angle.
c.
Xiphoid process.
d.
Suprasternal notch. - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: sternal angle.
The sternal angle marks the site of tracheal bifurcation into the right and left
main bronchi; it corresponds with the upper border of the atria of the heart,
and it lies above the fourth thoracic vertebra on the back.
During an assessment, the nurse knows that expected assessment findings
in the normal adult lung include the presence of:
a.
Adventitious sounds and limited chest expansion.
b.
Increased tactile fremitus and dull percussion tones.
c.
Muffled voice sounds and symmetric tactile fremitus.
d.
