22. Abnormal Findings – Respiratory
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Chest-wall:
Barrel chest – large front-to-back diameter.
Pigeon chest – sternum protrudes beyond front of abdomen; increased
front-to-back diameter of chest.
Funnel chest – depression on all or part of sternum.
Thoracic kyphoscoliosis – curvature of spine; rotation of vertebrae;
distortion of lung tissues.
Respiratory patterns:
Tachypnea – respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths/minute with shallow
breathing
Bradypnea – respiratory rate below 10 breaths/minute
Apnea – the absence of breathing; may be life-threatening if it’s prolonged.
Hyperpnea – deep, rapid breathing.
Kussmaul’s respirations – rapid, deep, sighing breaths.
Cheyne-Stokes respirations – deep breaths alternating with periods of
apnea.
Biot’s respirations – rapid, deep breaths that alternate with abrupt apneic
periods.
Breath sounds:
Crackles – intermittent, non-musical, crackling sounds heard during
inspiration; classified as fine or coarse.
Wheezes – high-pitched sounds caused by blocked airflow, hear on
exhalation.
Rhonchi – low-pitched snoring or rattling sound; heard primarily on
exhalation.
Stridor – loud, high-pitched sound heard during inspiration.
Pleural friction rub – low-pitched grating sound heard during inspiration and
expiration; accompanied by pain.