Respiratory question

Hey there, I'll take a stab. Take a look at chest xrays, white cell counts, oxygenation needs, breath sounds, overall general state. ~Ivanna

With Atelectasis - you will hear diminished or no breath sounds when they inhale deeply. With pneumonia when they inhale deeply , listen carefully to the breath sounds . At the end of that inspiratory effort you can hear little " pops" from air trying to move through the thick sludge of pneumonia secretions. So .....hold the stethescope firmly against the skin and just listen. Also pay attention to the upper lobes, when they inhale do you hear fine whistling, expiratory wheezing etc etc . This can tell you how constricted those upper airways are. Hope this helps.....

agree w/tnn...

that w/atelectasis, lung sound will be greatly diminished or absent...

except with rul, then you may hear transmitted tracheal sounds.

often, having pt deep breathe and cough will have collapsed lung return to baseline.

at that point, you will see o2 sat markedly increase.

with pneumonia, you'll hear crackles/rales.

even with breathing, coughing, o2 sat won't show a notable increase.

leslie