Examining Chest X-Rays

Chest x-rays are an invaluable diagnostic tool as they can help identify common respiratory disorders such as pneumonia, pleural effusion, and tumors, as well as cardiovascular disorders such as an enlarged heart and heart failure.

As an advanced practice nurse, it is important that you are able to differentiate a normal x-ray from an abnormal x-ray in order to identify these disorders. The ability to articulate the results of a chest x-ray with the physician, radiologist, and patient is an essential skill when facilitating care in a clinical setting. In this Discussion, you practice your interprofessional collaboration skills as you interpret chest x-rays and exchange feedback with your colleagues.

Review all four and appraise it and select one of great interest to your for elaboration.

X-ray 1
An x-ray image of a patient’s lungs.

X-ray 2
An x-ray image of a patient’s lungs.

X-ray 3
An x-ray image of a patient’s lungs.

X-ray 4
An x-ray image of a patient’s lungs.

To prepare:

Review Part 10 of the Buttaro et al. text in this week’s Learning Resources, as well as the provided x-rays.

Reflect on what you see in the x-rays.

Consider one with great interest to you whether the patient in the x-ray has an enlarged heart, enlarged blood vessels, fluid in the lungs, and/or pneumonia in the lungs.

Write a description of what you see in the patient x-ray.

Then, explain whether the patient has an enlarged heart, enlarged blood vessels, fluid in the lungs, and/or pneumonia in the lungs.

Readings

Buttaro, T. M., Trybulski, J., Polgar Bailey, P., & Sandberg-Cook, J. (2013). Primary care: A collaborative practice (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Part 4, “Office Emergenciesâ€
Chapter 26, “Acute Bronchospasm†(pp. 189–191)

This chapter explores the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of acute bronchospasm. It also describes the roles of physical examinations, diagnostics, and differential diagnoses in management of acute bronchospasm.
Part 10, “Evaluation and Management of Pulmonary Disorders†(pp. 404–486)

This part outlines examination and treatment components of pulmonary disorders, such as acute bronchitis, asthma, chest pain, chronic cough, COPD, dyspnea, lung cancer, pleural effusions, and pneumonia. Lifespan considerations, complications, and health promotion strategies are also examined.
Part 20, “Evaluation and Management of Infectious Diseaseâ€
Chapter 237, “Tuberculosis†(pp. 1283–1292)

This chapter differentiates between active and latent tuberculosis and examines components that aid in diagnosing and managing tuberculosis, including pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostics.
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. (2011). At-a-glance outpatient management reference for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Retrieved from

http://www.goldcopd.org/uploads/users/files/GOLD_AtAGlance_2011_Jan18.pdf

This article outlines the COPD guidelines and includes guidance for diagnosis, assessment, and management of patients with COPD.
Optional Resources

American Lung Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2012, from http://www.lung.org
Drugs.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2012, from www.drugs.com
Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2012, from http://www.ismp.org/
WebMD. (2012). Medscape. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/