Question

The nurse is comparing pitch and duration of the various types of a patient's breath sounds and recognizes which one of these as an expected finding?

a. Bronchial sounds are low-pitched and have a 2:1 inspiratory-versus-expiratory ratio.
b. Bronchovesicular sounds have a moderate pitch and 1:1 expiratory-versus-inspiratory ratio.
c. Vesicular breath sounds are high-pitched and have a 1:2 inspiratory-versus-expiratory ratio.
d. Wheezes are low-pitched and have a 2.5:1 inspiratory-versus-expiratory ratio.

Answer 1

Wheezes are usually high-pitched sounds associated with narrowed airways during expiration, not low-pitched with a 2.5:1 inspiratory-expiratory ratio. Spirometry measures like FEV and FVC help diagnose respiratory conditions. A low FEV1/FVC ratio indicates obstructive diseases like asthma, while a high ratio suggests restrictive diseases like fibrosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse recognizing wheezes as low-pitched and having a 2.5:1 inspiratory-versus-expiratory ratio is encountering an unexpected finding. Wheezes are more typically high-pitched whistling sounds heard chiefly on expiration due to airways that are narrowed or compressed. They may occur in various respiratory conditions, such as asthma. The lung function measurements such as forced expiratory volume (FEV) and forced vital capacity (FVC) are critical in evaluating and diagnosing respiratory diseases. A low FEV1/FVC ratio is indicative of obstructive lung disease like asthma, where there is resistance in the lungs, making it difficult to exhale air quickly. On the other hand, a high FEV1/FVC ratio suggests restrictive lung disease like fibrosis, where the lung tissue is stiff.

Respiratory rate is another essential indicator of lung function, often changing in response to various diseases or conditions. A healthy respiratory rate is typically 12-15 breaths per minute, contributing to alveolar ventilation.