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Understanding Respiratory Health Study Guide

Explore common respiratory conditions, their symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and relevant anatomy and physiology. This guide covers topics such as asthma, pneumonia, and COPD, providing insights into patient assessment and clinical case studies.

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Evidence-Based Assessment of the Lungs and Respiratory System

Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System

This content covers the anatomic structures of the thorax, the lower respiratory tract, and the physiology of breathing.

  • Anatomic structures of the thorax
  • Thoracic cage and cavity
  • Bony landmarks of the anterior and posterior chest wall
  • Anatomic structures of the lower respiratory tract
  • Lobes of the lungs
  • Trachea and bronchi
  • Alveoli and gas exchange
  • Physiology of breathing
  • Inspiration and expiration
  • Muscles of ventilation

Evidence Based Assessment of Lungs

Assessment and physical examination of the lungs and respiratory system through history questions, inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and laboratory considerations.

  • Respiratory history assessment
  • Hemoptysis
  • General survey of respiratory status
  • Clubbing and tissue hypoxia
  • Barrel chest and COPD
  • Pectus excavatum
  • Palpation of chest expansion
  • Tactile fremitus
  • Percussion technique and landmarks
  • Auscultation technique
  • Pulmonary embolus red flags
  • Acute respiratory distress signs
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Peak flow measurement
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Spirometry

Imaging Considerations for Lungs and Respiratory System

This content covers radiography and computed tomography imaging considerations for the lungs and respiratory system, including chest x-ray views and various pulmonary pathologies.

  • Portable chest x-rays
  • Anteroposterior (AP) view
  • Posterior-to-anterior (PA) view
  • ABCDEF chest x-ray review
  • Kyphotic curve of the vertebral column
  • Fibrotic changes
  • Pneumonia
  • Pulmonary interstitial infiltrates
  • Pneumocystis jirovecii
  • Chickenpox pneumonia
  • Coccidioidomycosis
  • Pulmonary effusion
  • Pulmonary adenocarcinoma
  • Computed tomography
  • Axial, coronal, and sagittal planes
  • Acute histoplasmosis

Common Respiratory Disorders and Abnormal Findings

Common Respiratory Disorders and Abnormal Findings

This content examines abnormal findings in common respiratory disorders including asthma, bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis, obstructive sleep apnea, and pneumonia.

  • Asthma
  • Bronchiolitis
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
  • Pneumonia
  • Variable expiratory airflow limitation
  • Intercostal retractions
  • Bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract

Clinical Case Studies of Respiratory Conditions

Case Study of Asthma Exacerbation

A case study of a 14-year-old patient experiencing shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing due to an asthma exacerbation.

  • Asthma exacerbation
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Differential diagnoses
  • Vital signs
  • Auscultation
  • Expiratory wheezes
  • Lung fields percussion
  • Tactile fremitus
  • Inspiration-to-expiration ratio

Case Study of Cough and Fatigue

A case study of a 66-year-old patient presenting with fatigue, cough, fever, and chills.

  • cough
  • fatigue
  • vital signs
  • history of present illness
  • review of symptoms
  • health history
  • respiratory disorders
  • hypertension
  • hypothyroidism
  • osteoarthritis

Assessment of Respiratory System Case Studies

Case studies involving physical examination, laboratory and imaging, and differential diagnoses for respiratory conditions including pneumonia and COVID-19.

  • Differential diagnoses
  • Physical examination
  • General survey
  • HEENT assessment
  • Lung auscultation
  • Tactile fremitus
  • Thoracic expansion
  • Laboratory and imaging
  • Chest x-ray
  • Complete blood count
  • Rapid influenza test
  • SARS-CoV-2 testing
  • Community-acquired pneumonia

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