When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse notices a costal angle of approximately 90 degrees. What should the nurse recognize about this finding?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The right and left costal margins form an angle where they meet at the xiphoid process. Usually, this angle is 90 degrees or less. The angle increases when the rib cage is chronically overinflated (barrel chest), as in emphysema.This is a normal finding and is not associated with kyphosis or indicative of pectus excavatum.

When Performing a Respiratory Assessment on a Patient, the Nurse