CLINICAL SKILLS S5 OSCE - PLEURAL EFFUSION

Question 1

Pleural effusion inspection

Answer 1

• Take resp rate (tachy)
• Respiratory distress
• Oxygen mask, ECG, surgical scars, trauma
• Clubbing
• Accessory muscle use

Question 2

Pleural effusion palpation

Answer 2

• Tracheal deviation (away from effusion)
• Apex beat (displaced away)
• Cricosternal distance (increase due to greater AP diameter in effusion)
• Lateral expansion (reduced)
• Tactile fremitus (decreased)

Question 3

Pleural effusion percussion

Answer 3

• Percuss anterior, axillary, posterior (stony dullness)

Question 4

Pleural effusion auscultation

Answer 4

• Anterior, axillary, posterior (decreased breath sound)
• Vocal resonance (decreased)