Author Question: The respiratory therapist is reviewing the electronic medical record of a patient in the medical ... (Read 143 times)

nevelica · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

The respiratory therapist is reviewing the electronic medical record of a patient in the medical ICU.

In reading the most recent chest radiograph interpretation, the therapist notes that the cardiothoracic ratio is stated to be less than 1:2 on the PA view. How should the therapist interpret this information?
a. This is a normal cardiothoracic ratio.
b. This is a decreased cardiothoracic ratio.
c. This ratio shows hyperinflation of the lung fields with subsequent air trapping.
d. This interpretation should be ignored because it is inaccurate in the PA view.

Question 2

Early clinical manifestations of an infant with respiratory distress include:

1. cyanosis.
2. substernal retractions.
3. expiratory grunting.
4. apnea.
a. 1, 3
b. 2, 4
c. 2, 3, 4
d. 1, 2, 3

lgoldst9 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
On the PA projection the ratio of the width of the heart to the thorax (the cardiothoracic ratio) is normally less than 1:2 . In other words, normally the width of the heart should be less than 50 of the width of the thorax.

Answer to Question 2

D
Early on, when an infant is having respiratory distress, he or she will show cyanosis, sternal retractions, expiratory grunting, and other signs. He or she will have apnea and other signs later on.