Respiratory examination

Question 1

What are the 4 parts of a respiratory examination?

Answer 1

1. Inspection- general, hands, head+neck and thorax.
2. Palpation- feeling
3. Percussion- tapping
4. Auscultation- listening

Question 2

Describe the inspection section of a respiratory examination?

Answer 2

General: shortness of breath, coughing.

Hands: Clubbing, Tar staining, Peripheral cyanosis.

Head + Neck: Jugular venous pressure, central cyanosis.

Thorax: Scarring, position of the trachea (deviates away from pneumothorax)

Question 3

Describe the difference between a wheeze and stridor?

Answer 3

Wheeze: expiratory problem- could be COPD or asthma

Stridor: inspiratory problem- indicates an upper airways obstruction

Question 4

Describe how to test for clubbing?

Answer 4

Schamroth’s window test

Lost in clubbing

Question 5

Describe the palpation section of a respiratory examination?

Answer 5

Chest wall expansion.

Palpate apex beat

Radial heart rate

Breathing rate

Assess trachea position

Lymph nodes

Question 6

Describe the auscultation part of the respiratory examination?

Answer 6

Patient takes deep breathes in and out

Coarse crackles: pneumonia.

Fine crackles: Pulmonary fibrosis

Vocal resonance: Patient says 99- increase volume in areas of high density- indicates tumour. Dullness indicates pleural effusion