NUR2730 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM TEST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS A+ GRADED
Name and describe the anatomic landmarks on the anterior chest.
1. Suprasternal notch: U-shaped depression
2. Sternal angle/Angle of Louis
3. Costal angle should be 90 degrees or less
What is costal angle, and what is normal finding?
Costal angle is formed by the downward-sloping 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs.
Should be 90 degrees or less.
How do you find the sternal angle (Angle of Louis)?
After finding suprasternal notch, move ~5 centimeters down.
Once the sternal angle is located, what rib can be located?
At the sternal angle, "walk out" laterally onto 2nd rib.
Directly above 2nd rib will be 1st intercostal space (1 ICS)
What would the intercostal space between Ribs 5 and 6 be called?
Intercostal Space 5.
The intercostal space is numbered according to the rib that is above it.
What are the anterior imaginary lines of the chest?
1. Midsternal (MSL): in the middle of chest, along sternum/breastbone
2. Midclavicular (MCL)
What are the posterior imaginary lines of the chest?
1. Scapular
2. Midspinal/Vertebral: in the middle of the back
Name and describe the anatomic landmarks of the posterior chest.
When neck is flexed forward, most protruding prominence is C7.
Or, could be both C7 and T1, directly below it.
Where is vertebra prominens located?
C7
Where are the bases of the lungs located?
Bases of the lungs are at the bottom.
Where are the apices of the lungs located?
Apex of the lungs is at the top.
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
, 7
(C1-C7)
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
(T1-T12)
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
(L1-L5)
What level are the lungs at during inspiration?
The diaphragm contracts and moves down, allowing the lungs to expand.
The lungs lower to T12.
What level are the lungs at during expiration?
The diaphragm relaxes and moves back up during expiration/exhalation, and the lungs
decrease in size.
The lungs raise to T10.
Where are most lung sounds heard?
Most lung sounds are heard on posterior chest, since majority of lower lobes are on
posterior.
Differentiate between the right and left lung.
The right lung is divided into 3 lobes.
The left lung is divided into 2 lobes.
Posteriorly, where is the diaphragm?
The diaphragm sits below T10.
This makes sense because during expiration, the base of the lungs is at T10.
For someone who has breathing hard/heavy for a long time, how would the
diaphragm appear?
The diaphragm would appear slightly flattened, since the lungs have been expanding
and pushing down on the diaphragm for so long.
Which accessory muscles are used for inspiration?
1. Trapezius
2. Scalenes
3. Sternocleidomastoid
Which accessory muscles are used for expiration?
1. Abdominal muscles
2. Internal intercostals
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Severe shortness of breath that occur at night or when lying down
What is usually the cause of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?
AND ANSWERS A+ GRADED
Name and describe the anatomic landmarks on the anterior chest.
1. Suprasternal notch: U-shaped depression
2. Sternal angle/Angle of Louis
3. Costal angle should be 90 degrees or less
What is costal angle, and what is normal finding?
Costal angle is formed by the downward-sloping 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs.
Should be 90 degrees or less.
How do you find the sternal angle (Angle of Louis)?
After finding suprasternal notch, move ~5 centimeters down.
Once the sternal angle is located, what rib can be located?
At the sternal angle, "walk out" laterally onto 2nd rib.
Directly above 2nd rib will be 1st intercostal space (1 ICS)
What would the intercostal space between Ribs 5 and 6 be called?
Intercostal Space 5.
The intercostal space is numbered according to the rib that is above it.
What are the anterior imaginary lines of the chest?
1. Midsternal (MSL): in the middle of chest, along sternum/breastbone
2. Midclavicular (MCL)
What are the posterior imaginary lines of the chest?
1. Scapular
2. Midspinal/Vertebral: in the middle of the back
Name and describe the anatomic landmarks of the posterior chest.
When neck is flexed forward, most protruding prominence is C7.
Or, could be both C7 and T1, directly below it.
Where is vertebra prominens located?
C7
Where are the bases of the lungs located?
Bases of the lungs are at the bottom.
Where are the apices of the lungs located?
Apex of the lungs is at the top.
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
, 7
(C1-C7)
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12
(T1-T12)
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5
(L1-L5)
What level are the lungs at during inspiration?
The diaphragm contracts and moves down, allowing the lungs to expand.
The lungs lower to T12.
What level are the lungs at during expiration?
The diaphragm relaxes and moves back up during expiration/exhalation, and the lungs
decrease in size.
The lungs raise to T10.
Where are most lung sounds heard?
Most lung sounds are heard on posterior chest, since majority of lower lobes are on
posterior.
Differentiate between the right and left lung.
The right lung is divided into 3 lobes.
The left lung is divided into 2 lobes.
Posteriorly, where is the diaphragm?
The diaphragm sits below T10.
This makes sense because during expiration, the base of the lungs is at T10.
For someone who has breathing hard/heavy for a long time, how would the
diaphragm appear?
The diaphragm would appear slightly flattened, since the lungs have been expanding
and pushing down on the diaphragm for so long.
Which accessory muscles are used for inspiration?
1. Trapezius
2. Scalenes
3. Sternocleidomastoid
Which accessory muscles are used for expiration?
1. Abdominal muscles
2. Internal intercostals
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Severe shortness of breath that occur at night or when lying down
What is usually the cause of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?
