APEA final study guide

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. Correct the child's age. an airway obstruction. Explanation: In children, heart and respiratory rates will increase with fever. For every degree of fever the respiratory rate will increase 3-4 breaths/minutes and the heart rate will increase 8-10 beats/minute. Question 2 Q) When percussing the lower posterior chest, begin by: Correct: 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. Explanation: When percussing the lower posterior chest, stand on the side rather than directly behind the patient. This position allows the ability to place the pleximeter finger more firmly on the chest and the plexor is more effective in making a better percussion note. If the patient is lying supine, the posterior chest will not be able to be percussed. Palpating painful areas is not percussion, so is not correct. Using the bony part of the palm at the base of the fingers or the ulnar surface is a technique used to detect tactile fremitus. 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: