Discussion
A thorough lung and thorax assessment includes palpation, percussion auscultation and good interview skills to obtain an adequate history. It is important to note any abnormal breath sounds such as wheezing, rhonchi or diminished sounds. Also, it is important to note any lumps or nodules felt. The general shape of the chest is also very important. Does the patient every experience any shortness of breath? If so, is it at rest or with exertion? Using open ended question can help to gather all the needed information.
Multiple disease processes, musculoskeletal changes and environmental risks can the associated with the assessment of the lungs and thorax. One important health promotion activity that is important when performing a lung assessment is smoking cessation. Asking questions to find out how long the patient has smoked, how much the patient smokes and if the patient is willing to attempt to quit. Tobacco use is the leading cause of death that is preventable in the United States (Bickley, 2013). Smoking leads to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD. Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States (Pyenson & Tomicki, 2018).
Use of accessory muscles indicate asthma and/or COPD. A barrel chest is a muscle skeletal change in a patient with COPD . COPD is one of the most common types of lung disease in the United States (Jingiing Yang, Ruiyan Lin, Zhenyang Xu & Hongxia Zhang, 2019).Multiple factors can contribute to COPD. Smoking is one however, environmental factors, including pollution, deteriorating air quality and chemicals can also contribute to COPD (Jingiing Yang et al...2018). It is important to ask questions relating to the respiratory history. Does the patient have a history of pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema or asthma?
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References
Bickley, L.S. (2013). Overview: Physical examination and history taking. Bates' guide to physical examination and history-taking, 11 ed. New York: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins. ISN-13: 978-1609137625
Jingjing Yang, Ruiyan Lin, Zhenyang Xu, & Hongxia Zhang. (2019). Significance of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Improving Quality of Life for Subjects With COPD.
Respiratory Care, 64(1), 99-107.
Pyenson, B. S., & Tomicki, S. M. (2018). Lung Cancer Screening: A Cost-Effective.
Public Health Imperative. American Journal of Public Health, 108(10), 1292-1293.