NURS 326
NURS 516-Study Guide Respiratory 2026
pulse oximetry
measures oxygen level in the blood
Pulse oximetry normal range
95-100
factors that affect pulse oximetry
- poor circulation, skin pigment, skin thickness, temperature
pulse oximeter sites
Figner, toe, earlobe, bridge of nose, and forehead
Respiratory Inspection
looking for cyanosis; a bluish discoloration of the skin as a result of poor circulation
Respiratory palpation
Checks the trachea with fingers; should enter at the middle of the suprasternal notch
Chest symmetry; position hands of both sides of sternum; thumbs should move equally
from midpoint with inspiration
Tenderness and crepitus
Crepitus
subcutaneous emphysema; open chest wound; fresh chest tubel new tracheotomy;
pneumothorax
Tactile Fremitus
"99, boy oh boy, scooby doo"; assess equality of vibration; fluid will increase the sound
transmission and used to assess consolidation and atelectasis
Atelectasis
small or partial lung collapse
Respiratory Percussion
NURS 326
, NURS 326
Assesses position of the lungs, density, and changes of lung tissue; not used frequently
and performed by advanced practice nurses and other professionals
Respiratory Auscultation
apex, left lung, right lung; sit up, breath deep through the mouth, the diaphragm of
stethoscope, no outside noise, compare sides and lobes
Respiratory rate and pattern, chest abnormalities, trachea position, reactions, symmetry,
accessory muscle use, splinting, cyanosis
Cheyne-stokes pattern
ventilation pattern where the respiration rate and depth are irregular, characterized by
alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation
Biots
respirations are abnormally shallow for 2-3 breaths followed by irregular period of apnea
Kussmaul' Pattern
ventilation pattern where respiration are abnormally deep but regular and at an increased
rate, common in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA); and is the body's way of correcting
metabolic acidosis trying to blow off excess CO2
Vesicular Breath Sounds
Medium pitch and loudness, inspiration is louder and longer than expiration
Tracheal/Bronchial Breath Sounds
Heard over and around trachea; loud and high pitched, hard or tubular, expiration is
louder and longer than inspiration; short pause between I and E
Bronchovesicular Breath Sounds
Combination of vesicular and bronchial/tracheal; heard around sternum; equal duration
and loudness; more muffled than brachial
Adventitious breath sounds
Bronchial or bronchovesicular where there should be vesicular; indicates fluid-filled or
consolidated areas where breath sounds are "telegraphed" from large airways to periphery
Rhonchi
NURS 326
NURS 516-Study Guide Respiratory 2026
pulse oximetry
measures oxygen level in the blood
Pulse oximetry normal range
95-100
factors that affect pulse oximetry
- poor circulation, skin pigment, skin thickness, temperature
pulse oximeter sites
Figner, toe, earlobe, bridge of nose, and forehead
Respiratory Inspection
looking for cyanosis; a bluish discoloration of the skin as a result of poor circulation
Respiratory palpation
Checks the trachea with fingers; should enter at the middle of the suprasternal notch
Chest symmetry; position hands of both sides of sternum; thumbs should move equally
from midpoint with inspiration
Tenderness and crepitus
Crepitus
subcutaneous emphysema; open chest wound; fresh chest tubel new tracheotomy;
pneumothorax
Tactile Fremitus
"99, boy oh boy, scooby doo"; assess equality of vibration; fluid will increase the sound
transmission and used to assess consolidation and atelectasis
Atelectasis
small or partial lung collapse
Respiratory Percussion
NURS 326
, NURS 326
Assesses position of the lungs, density, and changes of lung tissue; not used frequently
and performed by advanced practice nurses and other professionals
Respiratory Auscultation
apex, left lung, right lung; sit up, breath deep through the mouth, the diaphragm of
stethoscope, no outside noise, compare sides and lobes
Respiratory rate and pattern, chest abnormalities, trachea position, reactions, symmetry,
accessory muscle use, splinting, cyanosis
Cheyne-stokes pattern
ventilation pattern where the respiration rate and depth are irregular, characterized by
alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation
Biots
respirations are abnormally shallow for 2-3 breaths followed by irregular period of apnea
Kussmaul' Pattern
ventilation pattern where respiration are abnormally deep but regular and at an increased
rate, common in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA); and is the body's way of correcting
metabolic acidosis trying to blow off excess CO2
Vesicular Breath Sounds
Medium pitch and loudness, inspiration is louder and longer than expiration
Tracheal/Bronchial Breath Sounds
Heard over and around trachea; loud and high pitched, hard or tubular, expiration is
louder and longer than inspiration; short pause between I and E
Bronchovesicular Breath Sounds
Combination of vesicular and bronchial/tracheal; heard around sternum; equal duration
and loudness; more muffled than brachial
Adventitious breath sounds
Bronchial or bronchovesicular where there should be vesicular; indicates fluid-filled or
consolidated areas where breath sounds are "telegraphed" from large airways to periphery
Rhonchi
NURS 326
