You are caring for a patient who is mildly underweight and is complaining of shortness of breath. Upon inspection, you observe that your patient's right shoulder and scapula are higher than the left shoulder and scapula. The most likely cause is
a. kyphosis. c. barrel chest.
b. scoliosis. d. mediastinal tumor.
B
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the thorax or lumbar vertebrae. It usually consists of two curves: the original abnormal curve and a compensatory curve in the opposite direction. Having one shoulder or scapula higher than another indicates the presence of scoliosis. Kyphosis, or humpback, is an excessive concavity of the thoracic vertebrae. In a barrel chest, the AP diameter is equal to the transverse diameter and the ribs are forced upward and outward. A mediastinal tumor is a visible chest mass. If large enough, it can compress lung tissue and impair normal lung function.
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