bronchitis

Bronchitis: Assessment

Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchi with partial obstruction of the bronchi by secretions or constriction. Bronchitis may be acute or chronic with a productive cough. Chronic bronchitis is associated with cigarette smoking. In the diagram above, secretions (produced by proliferation of mucous glands) are obstructing the passageway, resulting in deflation of the alveoli beyond the obstruction.

Assessment findings include:
Inspection	hacking cough with thick sputum chronic bronchitis produces dyspnea, fatigue, possible clubbing of fingers
Palpation	tactile fremitus normal
Percussion	resonant
Auscultation	normal vesicular breath sounds voice sounds normal. Prolonged expiration may be present with chronic bronchitis May have wheeze, or crackles over deflated areas

Explore the American Lung Association's site for info on bronchitis. You can look for their link "Diseases A to Z",

or you can go directly to the link on chronic bronchitis.

Look for the answer to this question: What is the definition of chronic bronchitis?