RRT RRT Patient Assessment 2

Question 1

Crackles (rales) heard on auscultation are most commonly caused by:

Accepted Answer

Sudden opening of collapsed alveoli or fluid in small airways

Answer

Bronchospasm narrowing the lower airways

Answer

Pleural surfaces rubbing against each other

Answer

Turbulent airflow through a narrowed upper airway

Question 2

Dullness to percussion over a lung field is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Pleural effusion or pulmonary consolidation

Answer

Pneumothorax with air in the pleural space

Answer

Emphysema with hyperinflation

Answer

Hyperresonant lung from air trapping

Question 3

A patient with a left-sided tension pneumothorax would most likely demonstrate:

Accepted Answer

Tracheal deviation to the right and absent breath sounds on the left

Answer

Tracheal deviation to the left and absent breath sounds on the left

Answer

Tracheal deviation to the left and absent breath sounds on the right

Answer

Bilateral absent breath sounds with central trachea

Question 4

Egophony, used to assess for pulmonary consolidation, is best described as:

Accepted Answer

The change of a spoken 'E' sound to an 'A' sound heard over consolidated tissue

Answer

Disappearance of breath sounds over a pleural effusion

Answer

Increased resonance of whispered words over hyperinflated lung

Answer

Transmission of bowel sounds into the lung field

Question 5

Which assessment finding would be LEAST expected in a patient with advanced COPD?

Accepted Answer

Inspiratory stridor

Answer

Prolonged expiratory phase

Answer

Decreased breath sound intensity bilaterally

Answer

Barrel chest

Question 6

Which combination of findings is most consistent with a pleural effusion on physical assessment?

Accepted Answer

Dullness to percussion and decreased or absent breath sounds

Answer

Hyperresonance to percussion and decreased tactile fremitus

Answer

Dullness to percussion and markedly increased tactile fremitus

Answer

Tympany to percussion and bronchial breath sounds

Question 7

During inspection, skin visibly sinking inward between the ribs during inspiration is correctly termed:

Accepted Answer

Intercostal retractions

Answer

Subcostal retractions

Answer

Suprasternal retractions

Answer

Substernal retractions