Diagnostic Tests for Respiratory Disorders
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Risk factors for respiratory disorders
- Chest injury
- Crowded living conditions
- Exposure to chemicals and environmental pollutants
- Family history of infectious disease
- Frequent respiratory illnesses
- Geographic residence and travel to foreign countries
- Smoking
- Surgery
- Use of chewing tobacco
- Viral syndromes
- Chest x-ray film
- Description: Provides information regarding the anatomical location and appearance of the lungs
- Preprocedure
- Remove all jewelry and other metal objects from the chest area.
- Assess the client’s ability to inhale and hold his or her breath.
- Postprocedure: Help the client get dressed.
- Sputum specimen
- Description: Specimen obtained by expectoration or tracheal suctioning to assist in the identification of organisms or abnormal cells
- Preprocedure
- Determine specific purpose of collection and check with institutional policy for appropriate method for collection of a specimen.
- Obtain an early morning sterile specimen from suctioning or expectoration after a respiratory treatment if a treatment is prescribed.
- Instruct the client to rinse the mouth with water before collection.
- Obtain 15 mL of sputum.
- Instruct the client to take several deep breaths and then cough deeply to obtain sputum.
- Always collect the specimen before the client begins antibiotic therapy.
- Postprocedure
- If a culture of sputum is prescribed, transport the specimen to the laboratory immediately.
- Assist the client with mouth care.
- Laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy
Description:
Direct visual examination of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi with a fiberoptic bronchoscope
Preprocedure
- Obtain informed consent.
- Maintain NPO status for the client from midnight before the procedure.
- Obtain vital signs.
- Assess the results of coagulation studies.
- Remove dentures and eyeglasses.
- Prepare suction equipment.
- Establish an intravenous (IV) access as necessary and administer medication for sedation as prescribed.
- Have emergency resuscitation equipment readily available.
- Postprocedure
- Monitor vital signs.
- Maintain the client in a semi-Fowler’s position.
- Assess for the return of the gag reflex.
- Maintain NPO status until the gag reflex returns.
- Have an emesis basin readily available for the client to expectorate sputum.
- Monitor for bloody sputum.
- Monitor respiratory status, particularly if sedation has been administered.
- Monitor for complications, such as bronchospasm or bronchial perforation, indicated by
- facial or neck crepitus, dysrhythmias, hemorrhage, hypoxemia, and pneumothorax.
- Notify the physician if fever, difficulty in breathing, or other signs of complications occur following the procedure.