Suggested Interview Questions : Environmental Exposure : Have you been exposed to environmental or occupational materials that have affected your breathing? What are they? S/S of resp. dysfunction : Have you had allergies, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchitis, TB or other lung problems? How often do you cough? Describe sputum? Impact on ADLS: Do any of your breathing problems limit your activities? Adaptive Measusee: What position do you assume for sleeping? When Interviewing keep in mind these important respiratory symptoms: COUGH: Do you have a cough?If so, How long? Suddenly or gradually? does it waken you at night?what does it sound like/ describe it? Acute illness=cough throughout the day environmental exposure=occurs at time in relation to exposure post nasal drip/ sinusitis=at night sound= dry, mois,t wet, hacking, hoarse,productive, nonproductive pneumonia, -hacking, congested cough, croup- barking,HF dry cough SPUTUM: Nl sputum is thin, clear white in color, tasteless odorless, rust colored=pneumonia, yellow-green-bacterial infection DYSPNEA/SOB; Does SOB occurs @ restorw/activity? problems breathing @ night? PND=paraoxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea=SOB while lying flat, Ask about the # of pillows. HEMOPTYSIS: produces alarm in pt, Coughing up clots--> serious illness CA, tumor PE. Blood tinged= associated w/ smoking, minor infectionsn and serious diseas. H/o TB, bronchitis recent travel? (prolonged sitting--> DVT--->PE, medication HX (anticoagulants, birth control pills). At times it may be difficult to ascertain if patient coughed up or vomited blood. Chest pain (pleuritic Pain): inflammed parietal pleura, nerves are abundant in this area. Sharp, stabbing pain usually during inspiration. may be localized (client splinting to avoid pain) WHEEZING: asthma is associated w/ wheezing but not all wheezing is asthma. CYANOSIS: central cyanosis occurs w/ inadequate gas exchange. bluish discoloration bets seen in the mucous membrane of the mouth & lips. clubbing of the nail bed is associated w/ this