Which of the following sequences of events best describes the cough mechanism?

Snoring is most commonly associated with which of the following conditions?

A 42-year-old male patient with a history of poorly controlled asthma is seen in the emergency department by the respiratory therapist (RT). The patient is seated in a chair and clearly is in extreme respiratory distress, with inspiratory and expiratory wheezing throughout. He reports that he has had a fever for the past 2 days and has eaten and drunk very little. He also reports some chest pain, and his blood pressure is 95/55 mm Hg. At one point, the patient stands to move from the chair to the stretcher and has an episode of syncope. The differential diagnosis for this patient should include which of the following? 1. Myocardial infarction (MI) 2. Acute asthma exacerbation 3. Dehydration 4. Cerebrovascular accident (CVA; stroke)

Which of the following are causes of hypotension? 1. Left ventricular failure 2. Peripheral vasodilation 3. Hypovolemia 4. Right heart failure

At what point on the posterior chest wall can the inferior border of the lung normally be found?

Which of the following mechanisms does explain why patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have a poor cough? 1. Weak muscles of breathing 2. Increased elastic recoil 3. Airway obstruction 4. Decreased lung compliance

Which of the following should the RT keep in mind when obtaining a pulmonary history?

Which of the following conditions are associated with the presence of pulsus paradoxus? 1. Hypervolemia 2. Cardiac tamponade 3. Constrictive pericarditis 4. Asthma

In which area is the point of maximal impulse normally felt during palpation of the chest wall?

A respiratory therapist is examining a patient in respiratory distress. She observes that the patient has a barrel chest, is using his accessory muscles of inspiration even when sitting at rest, and has a prolonged expiratory phase with pursed-lip breathing. This finding is most consistent with: