When percussing the lower posterior chest, begin by:

Question 1

A 3 year-old presents with a history of fever and cough over the past 24 hours. Findings on exam reveal: temperature of 102°F, apical heart rate of 157 beats/minute, and respiratory rate of 40 breaths/minute. Tachypnea in this child is most likely related to

paradoxical respirations.

the child’s febrile state.

the child’s age

an airway obstruction

Question 2

When percussing the lower posterior chest, begin by:

standing on the side rather than directly behind the patient.

having the patient lie supine on the examining table.

carefully palpating any area the patient has reported pain.

using the ball or the ulnar surface of the hand

Question 3

The palpation technique used to assess respiratory expansion of the chest is placing the hands on the eight or tenth ribs posteriorly with the thumbs close to the vertebrae, sliding the hand medially and grasping a small fold of skin between the thumbs. Then:

ask the patient to cough and note chest expansion.

ask the patient to take a deep breath and note any delay in expansion during inhalation.

have the patient hold his breath for 15 seconds then note chest expansion.

have the patient exhale forcefully noting expansion on expiration